Father's Day

It was a beautiful early summer day in Bruhl. The weather was warm but not hot, perfect for kids to be playing outside. Alicia was working very hard at the bakery. Getting orders ready, making sure the inventory did not run out and making extra bread dough. Isara would normally be helping out with the shop but Alicia allowed her to play outside today because the weather was so ideal to be playing in.

Today, however, was also Father's Day. Alicia had came up with the most perfect plan for Welkin when he got home teaching and planned to close shop early for that reason. It was going to be a long, busy but wonderful time out.

Isara also went through a change after turning 5. Soon afterwards, she started calling her parents Mommy & Daddy and not Mama & Papa anymore. Alicia was overjoyed when she first heard Isara starting to say it. But at the same time, She was starting to feel nervous from time to time, it was inevitable but Isara was going to start school in the fall. Welkin was even starting to tutor Isara so she would have a good start when school did arrive.

"Mommy, Mommy!" Isara said running towards her mother. Alicia had just managed to close shop just in time to leave. "What is it Isara?" Alicia asked her daughter gently.

"Look! Can we give it to Daddy please?" Isara squealed showing her mother a medium-sized centipede-type bug. Alicia almost let out a terrified shriek when Isara showed it to her. "Isara, please put that back wherever you found it, I already have a gift planned for your father." Alicia said trying hard not to be terrified of the creepy crawly.

"Okay, Mommy. But what's your gift going to be?" asked Isara innocently as she gently put the bug back on the ground.

"It's a surprise." Alicia responded.

Isara just looked at her mother with a confused look.

"Don't worry. I think you'll enjoy it very much as well." Alicia said gently as she and Isara walked home.

—

After arriving at home, Alicia and Isara soon got hard to work on a rather wonderful lunch to surprise Welkin with first and foremost. Then afterwards, they would take the station to a southern area in Bruhl.

"I'm home!" Welkin said as he opened the front door.

"Daddy!" Isara squealed as she hugged her father.

"Hey there Isara! Did you work hard at the Bakery today?" Welkin said gently to his daughter

"Not really, Mommy let me play outside today! It was really fun!" Isara replied with the honesty and innocent of a child.

"Is that so? That's great to hear! Did you play with the other kids?" Welkin then asked.

"Ummm…Welkin, I hate to interrupt but we made you a wonderful lunch and it's kind of getting cold." Alicia said.

"Oh, sorry about that." Welkin said rubbing the back of his head. Isara only giggled with joy in response.

—

"That was so delicious!" Welkin said with joy after eating the last bite of bread.

"I'm glad you liked it. But it was Isara who actually made the bread this time around." Alicia replied.

"Really? Sounds like my daughter is becoming a great chef just like her mother." Welkin said patting his daughters head.

"I worked really hard on it too! I'm glad you really liked it Daddy!" Isara said hugging Welkin.

"Me too Isara." Welkin replied gently.

"Now, now, we have to get going to soon or we'll miss the train." Alicia chimed in.

"Wait, where are we going?" Welkin asked.

"It's a surprise." Alicia replied. Welkin could only stare and think what Alicia could have planned for him.

—

After a few minutes of walking, Alicia, Welkin & Isara were now at the train station.

"So…where is this surprise place?" Welkin asked in curiosity.

"Southern Gallia. That's the only hint you're getting Welkies." Alicia replied.

"D-did you really have to say that? Martha is the one who usually calls me that." Welkin said slightly embarrassed.

"I know. But you're reaction to it is adorable." Alicia said in a teasing matter.

"Mommy! The train is here!" squealed Isara.

The train soon arrived at the station and the family of three quickly got aboard.

—

The train soon arrived at it's destination. After getting off the train, Alicia quicky got a blindfold out and put it on Welkin.

"But, why?" Welkin said almost confused.

"Because no peaking. Now don't worry, I'll guide you there. Just hold my hand, Okay?" Alicia said teasing her husband. Isara could only giggle as her father was guided to the surprise destination by Alicia.

—

"Alright, Welkin you can take it off." Alicia said to Welkin after 2 minutes of walking.

Welkin took off blindfold and gasped. He always wanted to go here but never had the opportunity. Alicia thought it would be the perfect gift for him on Father's Day.

"Is-is this the Gallia public greenhouse?" Welkin said almost giddy like a young child.

"Yep. I picked this place just for you." Alicia replied.

"Alicia, thank you. I don't know what to so say." Welkin said gently.

"You don't need to. Happy Father's Day Welkin." Alicia said gently hugging Welkin.

Welkin then hugged Alicia back. "I love you Alicia." Welkin then said.

"I love you too." Alicia gently replied.

The married couple proceeded to share a deep kiss.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Isara said slightly annoyed.

"Sorry about that Isara." Alicia said to her daughter.

"What's a greenhouse?" asked Isara with a little curiosity.

"A greenhouse is a building where farmers grow plants in specialized conditions. Some like these are open to the public to visit. It's really beautiful to go and look around in." Welkin explained.

"Is it pretty?" Isara asked Welkin.

"You bet it is! I'm sure you'll love it Isara." Welkin exclaimed with joy.

"Ready to go in Welkin?" Alicia then asked.

"Of course." Welkin replied, he was really excited to go look around.

The family then proceeded to enter the greenhouse.

—

"Wow! This is beautiful! The flowers are practically in pristine shape." Welkin said with surprise and the curiosity of child.

Alicia couldn't help but giggle, even though he was in his late 20s and was a father he still acted like an innocent child when it came to stuff like this.

"Daddy, what kind of flower is this?" Isara asked pointing to a glowing blue plant.

Welkin went to where Isara was and immediately got nostalgic as did Alicia.

"That's a plant called Ponisera Isara, it's a wild herb that can be used to heal bruises and sprains when a person is hurt." Welkin explained to his daughter.

"It also has nectar that I use to make bread dough with." Alicia further explained to Isara.

"It's beautiful…" Isara said with wide eyes.

"Doesn't it make you feel nostalgic Alicia?" Welkin said warmly to his wife.

"Yeah, you still remember that time when we got lost in the woods and I sprained my ankle? You had to heal it with Ponisera." Alicia replied with a gently nostalgic feeling to her voice.

"I do." Welkin replied gently.

—

Isara and Welkin were soon walking around for a few hours, observing all the plants and flowers around each other with Welkin explaining what each one was to Isara.

"Daddy, what are those on the water?" Isara asked pointing to a particular plant in the pond.

"Oh, those are lilypads Isara, frogs use them to hop across water." Welkin explained.

"So cool!" Isara said with curiosity.

As Welkin explained further information about the surrounding plants, Alicia couldn't help but smile. Isara really was interested in nature. She was just like her father.

"Are you two having fun?" Alicia asked gently.

"Yep! It's wonderful! The plants and flowers are so pretty!" Isara replied with joy.

"Yeah, this is great! I think we've seen everything that I could! I don't even know where to go or look next!" Welkin exclaimed with childlike joy.

"So it's time to leave then?" Alicia asked.

"I guess so. Thank you for this. This has been a wonderful place to visit." Welkin replied gently.

"Happy Father's Day Daddy!" Isara squealed as she hugged her father.

Guuuuu~

Just then a low semi-loud growling sound emitted.

"Wait, are there animals here too Daddy? I wanna go see them!" Isara asked almost oblivious to what the sound really was.

Welkin couldn't help but chuckle while Alicia just blessed a deep red and rubbed her stomach.

"No, Isara, Mommy's just hungry that's all. It's almost time for dinner." Alicia said slightly embarrassed.

"Oh. Can we go somewhere to eat Daddy? I'm hungry too." Isara then asked her father.

"Okay, but I get to choose, it is father's day after all." Welkin replied.

The family of three soon left for a small diner Welkin selected near the greenhouse.

—

"This is delicious!" Welkin said as he ate his meal. He and Alicia had ordered pancakes while Isara ordered a small peanut butter sandwich.

"Yeah, this area of Gallia is also famous for it's restaurants." Alicia said.

"I know, maybe we should go out for dinner to some of these places more often sometime." Welkin further said.

"Mommy, I need more milk." Isara said chiming in.

"It's alright Isara, I'll get you some more." Alicia said gently to Isara.

Alicia soon called for the waiter and got a refill of milk.

—

After a having a nice dinner together and paying the bill, Alicia, Welkin & Isara soon went back to the train station.

"I had a wonderful time today." Welkin said to Alicia as the train began to depart to Bruhl.

"I'm glad you enjoyed my little surprise Welkin." Alicia said gently as Isara sat on her lap resting.

"Well, I thought it was a big surprise." Welkin then said.

Welkin then looked at Isara, she was gently breathing in and out as she rested on her mothers lap.

"She's just so cute when she sleeps." Welkin observed as he rubbed his daughter's head gently.

"I know…I can't believe she's starting school soon." Alicia said with a little bit of worry in her voice.

"Alicia, are you worried about her attending school?" Welkin asked with a little concern.

"It's just that…Isara always plays with us and not with the other kids. I'm concerned she might feel all alone in the school. Isara hasn't really made any friends yet." Alicia explained.

Welkin never even considered that. Isara didn't really have any friends or kids her age to play with. She was always with her family and as naturing as that was, she still needed to be able to go beyond that.

"She should be fine. Isara's so gentle and kind. I'm sure she'll make friends when the time comes." Welkin said trying to reassure his wife.

"I hope so." Alicia said still slightly concerned.

The train continued it's way towards Bruhl. Welkin had a wonderful time today celebrating father's day with his family and was hoping for more days of joy to come with them.