A girl's first true love is her father.

—Marisol Santiago


"Hi, Daddy! Daddy!"

Fitz could always depend on hearing the sweetest voice when he opened the side door. After a long day at the office, nothing felt better than coming home to this daily routine. The miniature version of himself and his wife came running down the hall, with small and quick footsteps.

"Hello, Miss Addi!"

Addi - one of many nicknames for Addison Claire - raised her arms, squealing at the sight of her tall father.

Scooping her into his arms, Fitz began to shower kisses on her chubby cheeks and button nose. This little girl was his world now. He couldn't imagine life without her. The last two and a half years had been nothing but perfect. Even with his promotion and Olivia's job as a marketing guru, there was opposition about having a child. But they would always find time for each other and Addison. Fitz didn't care about the naysayers; he would shout from the mountain tops about how he loved his baby girl.

"Hello, lovey!"

"How are you," Addi giggled, squeezing Fitz's neck.

Exaggerating his reactions, with a big gasp, he answered, "I'm great now! I'm back home to see you and Mommy. What did you do today, beautiful?"

Hazel-eyed Addison gave her signature grin, proudly sharing her agenda: "I play with my dollies, read books, and I took a nap. Because Mommy said so."

"Good girl," he sprinkled more kisses on the little girl's cheek.

Fitz walked to the kitchen, setting Addison on the island counter, so he could wash his hands. He asked a few more questions, entertaining her, as he cleaned up.

"Do you want a snack?"

"Mmhmm," she replied while her legs swung back and forth, trying to decide. Fitz gave her the options of apple slices, peanut butter crackers, or some of his favorite gooey brownies.

"Can I have a cracker and a brownie?"

"One cracker and half of a brownie."

Addison's face crumpled, but instead of bursting into tears or whining because of the compromise, she sighed. "Okaaaayyy."

Fitz chuckled to himself, always getting a kick out of Addison's responses. Now that she was older, he could capture her sense of humor and personality. Very much like Livvie's. He had to say "no" sometimes. That wasn't easy, but it was a learning experience for all of them.

"Daddy, down, please."

Fitz lowered Addison to the floor. Then, he felt a tug on his back pocket.

"Yes, baby?"

"When you get relaxed," Addison asked with the biggest doe eyes on the planet, "Do you want to play with me? Tea party?"

"Of course."

Addison squealed, clapping her hands while hopping. "Yay! Yay! I get ready."

"I'm going to change my clothes so I look nice for you."

But Addison had already disappeared into her room; all she heard was "Yes" and that's all that mattered.

Fitz smiled to himself. The simplest of things would excite Addison. Piggy-back rides, sharing a slice of pizza, being at the pool, or cuddle times with Mommy. He didn't think partaking in a late-afternoon tea would be the thing that would make Addison's day.

But he loved it.

He went to the bedroom, changing into his favorite pair of jeans and got rid of his tie. When he reached Addison's room, he took a moment to observe.

A full set of play china with the utensils perfectly set on the table he and Olivia found a year ago. Two dolls in one chair, while two seats were vacant. Maybe Olivia had demonstrated how to set a table because it looked perfect. The saucers and cups in their place, with cloth napkins, and light blue utensils. Quite a contrast to the lemon yellow walls - a long weekend's project for Fitz. Addison was allowed to pick the colors herself once she got potty-trained.

Then, he noticed Addison, loudly humming while brushing her hair and smoothing the stray ringlets away from her face, probably mimicking her mother. She also changed outfits. Now wearing a blue gingham dress, with black leggings, and colorful socks. Fitz had no clue she could switch clothes so quickly. Probably Liv - always giving Addi the skills to learn ahead of the curve.

Fitz knocked on the door softly, so he wouldn't startle her. Seeing her bright eyes melted his heart.

"Hi! Come in, Daddy."

Stepping into her room, Fitz smiled. "Where should I sit?"

Addison pointed to the biggest seat. "Right there, Daddy. Okay?"

"Of course, baby." Fitz was ever thankful that he and Olivia bought chairs that were high enough for them, but still provided a sweet ambiance for Addison, so that it was appropriate for her.

"Daddy, tea?"

"Yes, please."

Addison bit her lip as she poured the imaginary liquid into his cup. Chubby fingers grasping the kettle, using such concentration. Fitz noticed the lines on her forehead, eyebrows knitting she was definitely his daughter.

"Thank you, Miss Grant."

"You're welcome, Daddy."

Fitz waited for Addison to sit down before they began their tea date.

"Is your tea good?"

"Mmhmm," Addison slurped. Then, she covered my mouth. "Oops!"

"What?"

Fitz watched her wince.

"I shouldn't be so loud."

"It's your tea party, Miss Addi," he assured. "You can be as loud or quiet as you want."

Addison's eyes widened; "Are you sure?"

Fitz chuckled. "Yes, ma'am."

This period of learning and teaching fascinated Fitz. It was all new. Reading books and blog content could only go so far when raising a child. But as he watched Addi grow, he knew it would be alright to loosen the reigns.

Addison took a bite of her brownie. "Want some?"

"Sure."

Addison passed her plate to Fitz. He pretended to eat, but she groaned in dissent.

"No! You need to eat some."

"But it's your brownie."

"I want to share with you." Addison rose, crossing to Fitz. Being the boss that she was born to be, she lifted her snack to his lips.

"Please eat. I don't want to you to starve."

Fitz's eyebrows raised, highly amused, but to pacify his daughter, nibbled on the brownie.

"Thank you."

Changing her authoritative tone to extra sweet, Addison smiled. "You welcome. How was work?"

"Busy but good."

Fitz admired her kind spirit. He didn't remember training her to ask how someone's day was. Maybe she overheard them talk about work. Addison was a sponge, ready to "Cheers!"

"Where's Mommy?"

Addison tapped her chin, then twirled her index finger around, dramatically pointing in the air. "She's on the phone in her office. I've been good."

"That's great."

Fitz and Addison continued to play, making sure her dollies, Tatiana and Beauty, were taken care of. He loved to make her laugh - sticking out his tongue, responding in silly voices. Even singing to her some of their favorite songs. He would do anything for his girl. Whatever she needed, as long as it wasn't something that could hurt or disrespect, he'd get it for her in a minute.

"I love you."

Addison exclaimed, "I love you too! You're awesome, Daddy!"

How could time be flying by? Her vocabulary was growing, she was doing more everyday. Soon, she would be reciting poems, making her own lunches, and going off to school. Fitz knew she was going to be an amazing young lady, but he was okay with this stage. Only a few feet tall, with lots of curly hair, with eyes so expressive, he could tell how she felt immediately. That was her girl. His baby. She was the apple of his eye and she loved him. His Addiclaire.