Libby unlike her mother was a morning person.
Jess was already up early to work on his book when he heard the tiny patter of feet hitting the hardwood floor.
"Hey Lib." He swung his chair around to look at her.
"Daddy." His daughter was dressed in her footsie pyjamas and holding her favourite book in her hand.
"What do you say we go and get you dressed and go to Grandpa Luke's and get pancakes for breakfast?"
"Okay." Libby agreed. "Mommy go?"
"Why don't we let Mommy sleep in this morning?" Jess suggested as he picked her up. "She's just finished school and could do with the rest."
"Okay." Libby replied.
GG
"Hey Luke." Jess said as he carried Libby inside.
"Jess, Libby." Luke greeted. "Grab a seat."
Jess sat Libby on his lap.
"What can I get you?" Luke asked when he came over a few minutes later to take their order.
"Chocolate chip pancakes for Libby. I'll take scrambled eggs, double bacon, and some toast. Juice in her sippy cup would be good as well."
"You want juice or coffee?"
"Juice." Jess replied. "I've already had coffee."
"Speaking of coffee where's Rory?"
"She was still asleep. She's been busy with finals and worrying about graduating so I let her lie in. I left her a note."
"Ookie." Libby smiled.
"Hey Libby. I'll go and get you some breakfast." Luke replied.
Jess and Libby ate and Libby managed to smear chocolate around her face as usual. Jess managed to clean her up and out the door and to run some errands.
"Andrew." Jess said as he pushed the stroller through the door of the bookshop.
"Jess."
"Did those books I ordered come in yet?" Jess inquired.
"Not yet. But the ones Rory ordered came in yesterday."
"I'll take those. Did she pay for them already?"
"I'll check." Andrew said.
"Okay." Jess agreed while he picked up a book from the shelf and read the blurb on the back.
"She paid for them." Andrew responded after he checked his records.
"I'll get them on the way out; I'm going to take a look around first."
"While you're here can I get you to sign a few more copies of your book?" Andrew requested.
"Let me find Libby something and I'll sign them for you."
"Are you looking for a picture book or something you can read to her?"
"I haven't decided." Jess replied. "We'll take a look around."
"Let me know if you need any help."
GG
"Here you." Jess lifted Libby onto the bed where her mother was still asleep.
"Mommy. Mommy." Libby bounced up and down on the bed as crawled over to Rory's side.
"Hey baby." Rory opened her eyes. "What've you got there?"
"Book." Libby happily showed her her new book.
"Wow. Where did you get that?"
"Daddy." Libby replied. "Read."
"You want me to read it to you." Rory said. "Give me a second." Rory yawned and sat up and saw Jess stood in the doorway. "Hey."
"Hey, have a nice lie in?"
"Yes thank you. When did you buy the book?"
"We went out for breakfast and stopped by the bookstore to see if my books had come in. I'm still waiting but yours were. I left them on the table."
"Thanks." Rory replied.
"Read." Libby requested again.
"I appear to be reading." Rory stated.
"I'm going to get some more work done." Jess replied. "You two have fun." Jess pushed himself off the door frame and left his fiancée and daughter to read her new book.
TBC