𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 || 𝐰𝐥𝐰

The house stood at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, all warm brick and climbing ivy. A child's bicycle lay on its side in the driveway, and a pair of tiny pink wellington boots waited by the front door like patient sentinels.

Casey Reed

brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear, harried but composed You must be Y/n. I'm Casey. Thank god you're on time—Maeve's been asking about you all morning.

She led you past a staircase with a baby gate at the bottom, into a sunlit office with a large mahogany desk. The walls were lined with framed photos—Casey at a conference, Casey holding Maeve as a giggling infant, Maeve covered in birthday cake.

Casey Reed

sitting down, gesturing to the chair across from her Please, have a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Water?

Before you could answer, the door creaked open. A small figure in lavender pajamas stood in the doorway, clutching a worn, soft-bodied sloth nearly as big as she was.

Maeve Reed

tilting her head, big brown eyes fixed on you Are you going to be my new nanny? Mama said the others quit because I'm too much.

Casey Reed

a flush creeping up her cheeks Maeve, darling, I'm having a meeting to see if she wants to.

Maeve didn't move. She just stood there, hugging Snuggles tighter, her little brow furrowed like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.