September 2019

He felt his heart sink, just a tiny bit. Not that he'd tell anyone, but he couldn't help it. She looked so grown up, her smart uniform and new shoes with her book bag that was the size of her.

'Daddy, are you sad?'

'Why would I be sad, monkey?' The raven-haired child shrugs, looking up at him.

'You sad' she replies, as he shakes his head, knowing that he needs to act like she's going to have a great time, when he'd kill for another morning, where he could make her breakfast and playhouse with her.

Carla would be busy with work, or Freddie, who sometimes joined them.

Those precious moments, when she'd draw him a picture, or he'd read her the same book for the twentieth time that week.

When she'd dress up for him, and he'd pretend to take her for afternoon tea.

One day, when she's older, he'll take her. He'll be there for her, unlike the mess he made of his first child.

He could still do that, but it was different.

'School.'

'I'm just jealous.' He tries, smiling at his, almost, five-year-old. He'd read somewhere that children born in the first term of school do better than those born later in the year, but that didn't stop him worrying. She also knew most of her class, she had friends, she'd be fine. 'My little monkey is going to have so much fun.'

'Am I?' She asks, earnestly, looking up at him. There's so much of Carla in her, it's scary. Yet, it's also so beautiful. She's the perfect mix of him and the woman he loves. He pulls her into a hug, kissing the top of her head, like he does every night before bed.

'Yes, yes, you are. You'll come home and tell me all about it.'

'And mummy?'

'And mummy.'

'And Groot.'

'Yes, you can tell Groot too. I'm sure Freddie would want to hear it too, monkey.'

'Daddy, Freddie is only one, he doesn't understand important things.' She responds nonchalantly, he tries desperately not to laugh.

'He'll love to hear about it. Si is coming over for dinner tonight, he'll love to hear about it too.'

'Kay.'

'Peter, you take Freddie, I want to give my little girl a cuddle. Do you want me to come in with you?' Carla frets, turning away with one of the mothers she recognises, as they coo over the child in her arms.

The child who was a surprise, but a welcome surprise.

Much like his older sister, but the situation had been different. Maybe that's why he was closer with his little girl.

His little monkey.

'Daddy.' She responds, shrugging, as he smirks at his wife, who is impatiently tapping her foot.
A nervous tick.

'Okay, you'll have such a good time. I can't wait to hear all about it.' She responds, slightly dejected as she takes her son from his dad. 'You'll be late.'

'Me and my monkey' Peter grins, as they join the queue of people waiting to get into the school, the child not letting go of her dad's hand, as they reach the end of the queue. He tries to reassure her, silently telling her it is okay. She'll be okay.

'Hello, who is this?' The child looks at her dad, their eyes meeting, shrugging. He throws her a reassuring look, as she dares to look at the woman with the register on the table, ticking off names. She's one of the last ones here, Peter not wanting to let his monkey go.

'Molly' she whispers.

'Molly Barlow.' Peter responds, squeezing her hand, 'date of birth 5th November 2014.'

'Fireworks night?'

'I love fireworks' she responds, smiling, loosening her grip on her dad's hand.

'Well Miss Molly' the woman starts, 'you're in Miss Glenn's class, you'll love her. If you follow me, I'll take you.'

'Daddy?'

'Daddy's not allowed to come in' the woman responds, 'time to say goodbye.'

'Daddy?' She quivers, 'daddy.'

'Hey, monkey, don't cry. Remember, you'll have so much fun.'

'Promise?'

'Promise, now you go with the nice teacher and go and see who's in your class. You'll have a whale of a time.'

'A monkey of a time.' She reminds him, smiling at him a little.

'You'll have a monkey good time.' He grins, gently pushing her towards the door, his heart sinking. 'Love you monkey.' He says it quietly, too quietly to hear. 'Have a great day.'

A/N thoughts? This is a mini fic, so the chapters are much shorter than anything else I've written, but I hope you liked it .