Title: Like Father…
Author: Lanie (mksid@shaw.ca)
Spoilers: None.
Notes: Response to challenge on the Carby Board. (Mood = Envious)
It's days like this that she loves the most.
I can tell in the way she wakes up early and bounds downstairs. It's in the way she can barely sit still as she eats her breakfast, her eyes impatiently studying the doorway, waiting for the creaking of the floor above her head. I can tell in her eyes when he finally decides to make an appearance, and the way she chides him about sleeping in too late.
We've got lots to do today, she cites.
And he smiles and kisses the top of her head before sitting down beside her. She kicks him underneath the table and giggles when he pretends he's hurt. She rolls her eyes as she rises from the table, stopping briefly at his side to issue today's challenge before heading off to get dressed.
And as I watch as they conduct their usual Saturday morning ritual, I can't help but feel a little envious of their relationship.
The way one lights up whenever the other enters a room. The way they bow their heads together and talk in hushed tones, sharing secrets when they think I'm not looking.
The way he strokes her hair as she falls asleep inside his protective embrace.
The way he looks at her – his precious princess.
The way his heart breaks whenever he hears her cry.
The way he devotes his life to making her happy.
She's had him wrapped around her finger since the day he first laid eyes on her. That much is true. It was an instant bond… Solid in his commitment to her… His love.
It's unconditional.
And why shouldn't it be?
She calls to him from the other room, appearing in the doorway a moment later. She still wears her pajama top over her jeans and clutches two brightly coloured t-shirts in her hand. She holds them up for him to see, and asks his opinion. He laughs lightly and closes his eyes, pointing to one. She smiles gratefully and saunters off in the other direction, humming a tune neither one of us recognize.
He loves the way she cares about his opinion. I tease him, telling him to enjoy it while it lasts. Because before too long, he'll be nothing more than an afterthought, wrapped up her own life, just like all the other little girls.
He smiles knowingly and opines that maybe she'll surprise us.
I have no doubt that she will.
She calls out again, asking him if he's ready. For a four year-old, she certainly is quite the sargent. He's quick to pin that one on me as he rises to his feet, makes his way over to where I stand at the counter and wraps his arms around my waist. We sway back and forth in silence for a few moments before one of us speaks next.
"What are you thinking about?" He inquires as his lips leave a light trail of kisses along my shoulder.
I lean into his embrace. "Mmm… I was thinking about how she loves you more than she loves me."
"You think so?"
"Definitely. I mean, it's so obvious she worships the ground you walk on."
"As she should."
Laugh and shake my head, elbowing him in the gut.
He turns me around in his arms and leans down for a kiss.
"Morning." He offers huskily as he draws me further into his embrace.
I wrap my arms around his neck as the sound of small footsteps grow closer. Peering over his shoulder, I watch as she stops in the doorway once more, now fully dressed. Her hands on her hips, one foot angled out in front of the other, she clears her throat loudly, making sure he knows that she's there.
I pull away reluctantly, giving him a sheepish grin. "Busted."
He's unfazed, kissing my nose lightly. "We'll see you later, okay?"
I nod. "Have fun."
He turns around to face the small figure waiting for him. "One, two…" he begins to count, and she squeals in response, taking off towards the back door. He winks at me and follows her outside to the car.
I realize I'm the luckiest woman in the world.
And even I know better than to butt in on "Daddy-Daughter Day".
