Author's Note: Nothing But Cute Fluff! I found this children's book the other day and Loved it!
If
Steph's POV-
I smiled as I entered the apartment; holding a brown package in my hand. I knew what this was since Ranger told me he had sent it. Ava was doing so well at school he wanted to give her an incentive. She was going to love it.
"Ava, come here." I called out to her. I opened the package as she came running down the hall way dressed in a Minnie Mouse dress. We had just got up from her last day of school well until next Monday that is.
"What Momma?" She asked as she came to a stop in front of me. I sat down on over stuffed sofa and pulled Ava into my arms. I handed her the huge brown colored book and she took it gently.
"What is this, Momma?"
"Daddy sent it."
Her mouth dropped and her eyes went wide. Ranger had been gone for almost a week and she really missed him. His absence was taking its toll on her. Way more than I ever that it would.
"He did?" She wondered out loud.
I nodded and smiled. "He did and you wanna know the best part?"
She looked at me. "What?"
I laughed and opened the first page. Ranger's voice filled the quiet living room. "Ava, I love you and miss you so much. I hate that I'm not there to tuck you in so I hope this story helps a little." The book went quiet as Ranger quit talking and I swear I thought Ava was going to burst in tears.
"I love it, Momma." She shouted.
I laughed. "I knew you would. So let's listen to it together." I said and she snuggled against me. The whole book was in Ranger's voice so it was kind of a gift for me too. We turned to the next page.
If.
That was the title and I didn't quite understand it, but I guess it had its reasons. Ava turned to the next page.
I wish I was there. I wish I was with you.
I want to play the games we play and do the things we do.
I am not there now. This is just one of those days.
But know that we can be together in many different ways.
Think really hard and imagine I am there.
Imagine I am holding your hand.
Imagine I am stroking your hair.
Imagine I am doing the things I really wish I could.
Know that I want to do them.
If I was there I would.
The book went quiet and Ava turned the page.
Hug You!
If I was there right now
do you know what I do?
I would stretch my arms out really wide
and then wrap them tight around you.
Ava turned the page.
Tell You I Love You!
If I was there right now,
do you know what I would say?
I would say that we should be together every single day.
I would tell you that I love you
and you make my heart feel light.
I would tell you that I love you
each and every single night.
Once more the book went quiet and Ava turned the page.
Smile!
If I was there right now,
do you know what you would see?
You would see me smiling ear to ear
because you were smiling with me.
I was starting to understand why this book was called If. Ava turned the page once more. She was snuggled in close with a huge smile on her face.
Laugh!
If I was there right now,
do you know how hard we would laugh?
We would laugh until our sides hurt,
like we were going to split in half.
You would tell me funny stories,
and I would listen with both ears.
I would laugh until my eyes were wet
and filling up with tears.
Ava waited a minute before turning the page. I wondered what she was thinking. What she was feeling...
Dance!
If I was there right now,
do you know how wild we would dance?
We would dance like we were crazy people,
and we wouldn't even glance to see who was watching us,
or what the watchers might say.
We would dance until our worries flew off,
and our cares just ran away.
Tears began to well up in my eyes. Ranger's voice was soothing and comforting and he spoke exactly like he would if he was here and reading it out aloud to Ava. Little Miss Ava was soaking this all up. Ranger did a wonderful thing for his daughter and that made me very happy. Ava turned the page.
Sing!
If I was there right now
do you know how loud we would sing?
We would sing really loud and really long,
like the birds all do in Spring.
We would sing the songs we like,
and the songs we love,
and the songs we hardly know.
And I would want to hold you tight,
and never let you go.
I could hear the tears in Ranger's voice as he read the last lines. He didn't need to be here with us for me to see the love shining in his face. I could hear it in his voice. Ava finally turned to the last page.
I am not really there right now.
I'm in the pages of this book.
I hope in your mind that you can see me.
Close your eyes and look...
Do you see me...?
I see you...
Ranger's voice stopped for a second and then it came back. "Good night, Ava. I love you." Before it was silent once again.
Ava was quiet as she brushed her teeth and washed her face. She was quiet as I tucked her in. She told me she loved me and I replied back with the same. As I was closing the door to her room, Ranger's voice filled her bedroom. She fell asleep listening to her daddy.
This is an actual child's book. It comes pre-recorded or you can record your own voice. It is called If. Unfortunately I didn't get the author's name. When I do..I'll let you guys know! I promise another update soon that is a lot longer!