Maria was happy that Nicolas hadnâ€™t minded holding Niya while she cooked lunch. He had held her daughter so delicately. Something she hadnâ€™t expected from a male. Delicate tenderness towards an innocent child. Her ex-fiance never would have done such a thing. He was too violent and hostile. She cringed as she thought of what could have happened if she had stayed. Her daughter was her motive to leaving. What was best for her daughter is what spurred her to action. She did not regret it. Even though such action had almost killed her it had been worth it. She also wouldnâ€™t have met her new friend Nicolas if she hadnâ€™t left. Sheâ€™d still be living in extreme fear of males and the unknown. Nicolas was, despite scaring her earlier, slowly helping her relax around someone of the opposite gender. His tenderness towards Niya helped her relax some. Still if he suddenly caught her off guard it would still scare the hell out of her. After all, though she had forgiven him his outburst was still fresh on her mind. She would get over it but it would take time.<br/><br/>She smiled as she turned to see Nicolas coming in holding Niya. Niya was sleeping contently as if she belonged in the maleâ€™s arms. She felt a large warmth at how gentle he was towards her baby. Even though he looked as if he was unsure and awkward while holding Niya...he had listened to what she had said to him and was supporting her daughterâ€™s head. She blushed as he yet again complimented her cooking. She shifted shyly. Those nice comments about her cooking made her feel shy and confused. He spoke the opposite of what her ex had always told her. She smiled a bit. â€œI hope you enjoy it.â€ She walked close to him and delicately removed Niya from his arms. â€œIâ€™ll take her from here.â€ She said with a smile. â€œYou did a good job holding her. I really appreciate it as it left me free to focus solely on cooking.â€ She said honestly. She wasnâ€™t sure what she would make them for dinner but she knew she could figure out something. She was good at figuring things out. She then went to sit at the table. Crossing one leg over the other and nestled Niya between her crossed legs with her head supported by the leg that was crossed over the other. When Nicolas joined her at the table she began eating. â€œI really hope you enjoy it.â€ She said with a smile. She waited for him to start eating and only then would she also begin to eat. She stroked Niya's hair lightly. Happy that Nicolas seemed to like her daughter. That was a good thing to have be true since she had a feeling, though completely unsaid, that she and him were now friends. That made her happy as she really needed a friend right now. Even if it was just one.