She couldn't stop running. The forest was quiet behind her as she sprinted through the woods, dodging vines and roots as she went.

Her hands came up to protect her face from low hanging branches, refusing to look behind her. It was coming, it wouldn't stop until it had caught her.

Don't stop. I'm almost safe.

The girl burst through the clearing, panting as she skidded to a halt, looking around her. There was no one there. Whatever had been pursuing her was gone.

She grinned, feeling triumphant, throwing her hands into her air.

"YES! I AM THE VICTORIOUS!" The girl laughed, placing her foot atop a boulder. "I, Abigail Carter-Higgsbury am the uncatchable, the untamable, the-"

She felt a presence behind her as she was lifted up from behind.

"The little girl who is going to be eaten by the fierce lion!" Wilson grinned as the girl started laughing up a storm, squirming wildly.

"Noooo! Never!" She squealed as Wilson lifted her up higher.

Wilson nuzzled her. "Nom, nom, tastes like strawberries!"

"Nooo!" Abigail laughed, nuzzling him. "I'm Abi, not a berry!"

Wilson pulled her back, a bit making his eyes look wide.

"My stars!" He gasped. "Why it is Abigail!"

Abigail hugged him, giggling.

"You big goof!"

Wilson chuckled, hugging her close. Abigail sighed happily, curling up a little.

"I'm a bit goofy."

It was one of those rare moments where Wilson wasn't busy with something or someone. It had been a busy week but it was nice to finally have some time together. Wendy was still hiding in a ragtag game of "hide and seek tag" between the father and daughters. The safe spot was the clearing.

"Now, we need to find your sister."

"I'll get her! Put me down!"

That was something Wilson hadn't expected. Wendy was the more timid and gentler of the two… Abigail, was like a little fireball of energy now that she didn't have to fear anything. The girl easily squirmed out of Wilson's arms before he could respond, bolting back into the woods as he started to chase after her.

"Abigail!"

Abigail was also fast and careful about traversing the forest around the village. Easily a blur if one didn't keep their eye on her.

She skidded to a halt, looking around her before looking up.

"I see you!"

Wilson's eyes trailed up, widening as he ran to the tree Abigail was looking at. Wendy was perched on a high branch, looking down with a mischievous look.

"... WENDY! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING UP THERE!?"

"Hiding." She grinned, sticking her tongue out. "You can't get me up here!"

Wilson gulped, holding his arms out.

"And that makes me very nervous! Please come down, you might fall!"

"But she's done it before." Abigail scoffed. "She does it with Webber all the time."

"WHAT!?"

"Ahuh." Wendy grinned. "I used to climb trees and be able to perch on branches with ease. I got my nickname Wendy Bird for a reason by Uncle Will."

Wilson ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head, giving a nervous laugh.

"Oh goodness. You two are little rascals sometimes."

"We love you!"

"And I love you both very much. Now, Wendy, can you please come down? I'm going to have a heart attack at this rate."

Wendy's eyes got wide before she jumped down, right into Wilson's arms, hugging him.

"No! Don't have a heart attack!"

Wilson stumbled back a bit, hugging her tightly.

"I won't now that I know you're safe." He kissed her head. "You had me a little scared there."

Wendy nuzzled him. "I'm sorry Papa. But it was fun!"

"I know Sweetie but just be more careful." Wilson gave a gentle look. "I really don't want to see you get hurt."

"I'll be super careful." Wendy promised. "You won't ever see me hurt!"

"I'll help too." Abigail hugged Wilson's leg.

Wilson chuckled, moving Wendy to one arm so he could pick up Abigail with his free arm.

"That's my girls." Wilson got a sneaky look. "So… since I found both of you… how does ice cream sound? Chocolate in particular?"

The girls looked to one another before looking up at Wilson, getting grins on their faces.

"Yes, please, Papa!"

"With sprinkles?"

"All the sprinkles!"

"Yay!"

Wilson laughed before running off with them.

"Come on then! The treats await!"

"YEAH!"

Abigail moved to jump out of his arms, Wilson tightening his hold on her a bit.

"Oh no ya don't!"

"No! I've been caught!"

They laughed as they continued on.

I didn't think I'd ever be a father, much less to two wonderful little girls like these.

How did I get so lucky?