Disclaimer: Except for Katie, none of them is mine. Her daddy (unfortunately) belongs to Hasbro, Marvel and/or DDP.
The Best Thing
by Freespirit
Taking a deep breath, he dived under the surface of the water. Nobody had noticed him so far. Good.
Quickly he swam towards his target. When their legs appeared in front of him, he smiled inwardly as he took position. Then, he shot forwards... and up. The first thing he heard when he broke through the surface was the rushing of water...
...and the delighted squeal of a child.
He grinned broadly as he wiped the water from his face with one hand, while the other secured his daughter's position on his shoulders.
"That was funny, daddy," a little voice chirped, giggling. "Do again?"
"Let daddy take a breath first, baby," he said and shook his head, getting rid of all the water still in his hair. The little girl squealed with laughter.
"Okay... are you ready?"
"Yep yep!"
She started bouncing on his shoulders. Playtime in water was good... playtime in water with her daddy was the best thing in the world.
Carefully, he sank back down into the water, letting the little girl swim off... or better, paddle off.
"Look, daddy. I swim!"
He smiled proudly as he watched his five-year-old daughter paddle about in the pool, not worrying for a second that her water wings would fail. After all, he had checked and bought them himself – and probably given the poor sales clerk a nervous breakdown. He didn't care about the latter. His wife and two children were the most important things in his world. He'd kill for them. He'd die for them.
"I see, baby. Want me to pull you around?"
"YAY!"
She hurried to get to her daddy, reaching her small hands towards his seemingly giant ones. The unknowing observer would probably fear he would accidentally hurt her dainty fingers, but the opposite was the truth. He held her, tight but also gently. Looking at her little face, an almost carbon copy of her mother's, he saw her eyes shining brightly at him. He pulled her all through the pool, in circles and waves until he saw her lips taking on a light shade of blue.
"Okay, pumpkin... I think it's time for a little break."
"Awwwww," she pouted, pushing out her lower lip. Normally that trick worked like a charm on him, but not now.
"Well, if you come out now, I think that Uncle Marvin will have some chocolate cake for you."
Her eyes lit up again. Uncie Marvin's chocolate cake was almost as good as water playtime with daddy!
She reached up, letting him pick her out of the water. As he carried her out of the pool, she pressed her lips on his cheek.
"I love you, daddy," she whispered.
"I love you too, Katie," Wayne replied softly and carried her towards Courtney and their son. Quality time with his family was definitely the best thing in the world.