Erin’s eyes flew open. He shot up from the bed and turned to face a worried looking Annalee.

“Rin?”

“What time is it?” he grabbed his phone and fumbled with the buttons.

7:35am. The bus was due at 8 and his train left at 8:15.

“Oh crap. Crap. Crap. Crap!” He ripped the blanket off of him and jumped out of the bed.

“Annalee!” He nearly fell as rushed to his closet, yanking a pair of slacks and a shirt off the hanger. “Let’s play a game!”

“A game?” she asked confusedly.

“Yes!” Erin nodded through his frantic breaths. “We’re going to go in the bathroom, brush our teeth as fast as we can, and get dressed. The first person at the breakfast table wins, okay?!”

“Okay!”

“Okay, hurry up! Go! Go!” Annalee dashed out of the room. Thankfully Erin had laid out her uniform the night before, but he still needed to get her to the bus on time. One mistake could cost Erin his job, and the last thing he wanted was to explain to Nina that he’d overslept because he was having dirty dreams about his boss.

Your hot boss... A little voice in his head reminded him.

Erin rushed into the shower, scrubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He slicked enough soap and water on to call himself clean, brushed his teeth, and hopped out to grab a towel.

Why the hell was I dreaming about Remy?!

Erin shook a towel through his hair, and hopped into his undies and jeans, ignoring his cell vibrating on the end table. He had no time for Nina this morning. Not when he had approximately- he glanced at his watch- 15 minutes to make breakfast, and get Annalee out of the door.

He's not even that hot!

Erin raced down the stairs, and almost cried when he saw Annalee sitting at the table, pouring herself a bowl of cereal.

“Bless you, child. Bless you!” he kissed the top of her head and grabbed the brush, pulling her blonde hair into a ponytail to match his own. Then he went to the kitchen to grab her lunch and snagged himself a banana for the road.

“Rin. I’m finished!”

“Good.” Erin yanked a wad of paper towels. “Hands.” Annalee showed Erin her hands to wipe. “Face.” She raised her face and Erin wiped the milk from her mouth.

“Let’s go!” She scooted from the table. Erin pulled on his jacket and tugged Annalee’s sweater over her head. “I’ll be home when the bus comes,” he told her, slipping the unicorn bag on her back. He grabbed his own tattered book bag, and handed her the lunch box, flinging the door open. Just as he and Annalee were heading out, his phone begun to ring.

Remy.

The moment Erin raised the phone to his ear he heard Remy say, “I’ve been calling you all morning. What is going on?”

“Remy!” Erin squeaked. “How are you are?”

“I’m fine for the moment. Though I’ll be better after I speak with my daughter. Put her on the phone.”

“Is your trip going okay?” Erin pushed the elevator button once more.

“Where is Annalee?” Remy demanded.

“Annalee?” Erin peered down at the little girl as they waited for the elevator. “She’s perfectly fine.”

“Put her on the phone. Now,” Remy commanded. Erin winced at the ice in the Alpha’s tone and handed the phone to Annalee.

“Papa?” Erin looked down at his watch. 7:57. They had three minutes to get to the bus. “We’re doing good, Papa. Erin and me played a game,” she told him. Erin was sweating, praying Annalee didn’t tell Remy he’d woke up late. “Then we had breakfast, and Erin did my hair!”

Ding.

The elevator appeared and Erin shuffled Annalee inside, pressing the ground floor. His ears pricked when Annalee said, “No, Papa. I got cereal because Erin was getting dress-”

“Remy!” Erin pulled the phone from her. “Sorry. We’re on the elevator. Phone is going out of service. Talk to you soon. Bye!”

He hit end call just as the elevator doors opened. “Come on, Annalee!” he gripped the little girl's hand and ran toward the atrium. He could see the school bus pulling up into the valet.

“Rin, wait!” Annalee called to him. Erin turned back to her out of breath.

“What, what is it, sweetheart?”

“What if... “ Annalee lowered her head. “What if the kids don’t like me?”

“What?” Erin frowned. They were sooooo close. Erin could see the buses hazard lights blinking against the glass atrium doors.

“What do you mean, sweetheart?”

“The kids at my school…” she mumbled as she shuffled on her feet. “What if they don’t like me.” The bus honked, and Erin waved at the driver indignantly.

“Listen to me,” Erin knelt to her level and smoothed a flyaway curl from her sweet face. “The kids at your school are gonna love you. And you want to know why?” he asked her. Annalee nodded and Erin smiled. “Because you’re smart and beautiful, and funny, and kind, and everything they should want in a friend.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Erin answered with a nod. “How could they not love someone as awesome as you?” he said winking at her. Annalee giggled then and leaped into Erin’s arms to hug him. Erin blinked before he pulled her closer, cradling her head in the palm of his hand. “Today is my first day too. I know you’re scared, but we both have to be brave, okay?”

“Okay.” Annalee nodded and pulled away. “I can be brave.”

The bus honked once more, and this time the driver yelled, “she coming or not?!”

Erin quirked his brow at Annalee and nudged his head toward the bus. “What do you say we go be fabulous on our first days of school, Annalee?”

“Yes!” Annalee gave Erin another firm hug. Then she ran to the bus, waving behind her. “Bye Rin! Have a good day at school!”

“You too, Annalee!”

Erin breathed deeply when he saw the bus disappear from view.

Those kids better be nice to her…

Erin fixed his backpack, gearing up to make a run for the train station when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

Remy

-Thank you for sending Annalee off. I hope you both have a good first day at school.

Erin’s face warmed first and then his heart began to race. At some point, he would need to analyze the dream he had last night, but right now he didn’t have time. He had twelve minutes to make it to the train, or he was going to be late for his very first day of school.

-Thanks, Remy.

Erin typed as he ran.

-You have a good day too.