Jordan- 9
Jordan was outside of her elementary school waiting to be picked up, in her hands was a flyer for the upcoming father daughter dance she was nervous about telling her father about it. Erin had pulled up a few minutes later and Jordan got in the passenger seat.
"Hey Jo how was your day". Erin greets her sister.
"It was ok I guess". Jordan replied.
"What's that?" Erin noticed the flyer.
"Oh it's a flyer for the father daughter dance Friday night".
"That sounds like fun".
"But I don't know Erin, what if dad doesn't want to go?"
"Jo of course he'll wanna go this will be a special moment he wouldn't miss it for the world".
"I've never even seen dad dance though".
"Trust me he knows how to dance".
"Will you help me pick out a dress?"
"Of course I will we can go now".
The two head to the mall and go into a dress shop, Jordan tried on dress after dress trying to find the perfect dress. Erin was outside a dressing room while Jordan was trying on another dress, after a moment the young girl came out wearing a purple dress that came down a few inches past her knees. On the top half of the dress were little diamonds and they formed a heart design, in the middle had a purple bow. She looked beautiful.
"What do you think Erin?" Jordan asked.
"Jo you look so beautiful". Erin said.
"I do like it".
"I say we get it then".
They got the dress along with some hair clips, the two then headed to the food court for lunch.
"Do you think dad will like the dress?" Jordan asked.
"He will love it so do you guys wanna match or do you want him to wear one of his regular suits?" Erin replied.
"It would be great if we could match".
"Is there something else on your mind?" Erin knew her sister like an open book she could tell something else was wrong.
"I-It's just dad's been so busy we never did anything together lately. Either you or Justin's been watching me not that I don't love you guys I do but it's never been just me and dad".
Erin sighed sadly, she knew that a cop's job was very demanding and would keep Hank at the office a lot more.
"You know he'd be there if he could but he wouldn't miss this dance for the world, if he has to scratch, claw, fight, he will be with you at the dance".
"You're right".
Once the two had lunch Erin drove Jordan home. It was now nearing 6 in the evening the sky was a pink purplish color, the girls arrived at Hank's house heading inside.
"Jo is that you?" Hank called.
"Yeah Erin's with me too". Jordan replied.
"I'm gonna take your dress up to your room you tell you talk to your dad about the dance". Erin says.
"Ok".
The nine year old went to find her father who was in the kitchen making dinner, she pulled the flyer from her back pocket holding it in her hands. Hank was in the kitchen as he pulled a pan of lasagna from the oven he then put in the garlic bread, he then went over to prepare a small salad.
"Dad you got a minute?" Jordan asked.
Hank looked over to see his youngest daughter. "Yeah sweetheart, what's up?"
She handed over the flyer and began to ramble. "I-It's a father daughter dance at school on Friday so I-I was kinda hoping you go with me".
"Jo slow down and take a deep breath".
Jordan did and tried again. "There's a father daughter dance at school on Friday at school so I was kinda hoping you go with me".
"Of course I'd go with you sweetheart".
Jordan smiled and hugged her father. Erin had finally came down from Jordan's room after giving her surrogate father and sister some time together soon after Justin had came home and everyone sat down at the table.
"So Jo did you tell your dad what color you're dress is?" Erin asked.
"Dress for what?" Justin asked.
"There's a father daughter dance at school on Friday and my dress is purple. Dad I was also kinda hoping that we could match". Jordan replied.
"Of course honey". Hank says, giving a small smile.
The week had come and soon it was Friday, it was four in the afternoon Hank got off of work early so he could get ready. Jordan had finished getting cleaned up right now Erin was blow drying her long shiny brown hair, she then began to brush it to get the tangles out. Once Jordan's hair was brushed she took the curling iron and began to wrap small sections of her sister's hair after a couple of minutes Jordan's long brown hair was in soft bouncy curls.
Once Jordan's hair was finished Erin got some purple nail polish and began painting Jordan's nails.
"Is it almost time to put on my dress?" Jordan asked.
"Almost". Erin replied.
"Can I wear some of your make up?"
"Just a little so I'll do it".
Once her nails dried it was time to put on her dress, Jordan finally has her dress on and she is beautiful.
"How do I look Erin?" Jordan asked.
"You look amazing Jordy". Erin answered.
Erin then pulled her make up kit out and began to put a little purple eyeshadow, a little blush and some lip gloss. "And done Jo you look fantastic".
"I hope dad likes it".
She then put on her silver flats, Jordan then remembered the necklace her father gave her that use to belong to her mother. It was a silver heart locket on a gold chain once she put that on she then reached for her small purple earring studs. "Now I'm perfect". She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled.
Hank was putting on a dark purple dress shirt with some black slacks, he tucked his shirt into his pants. He then reached for his matching tie and began tying it once that was finished he put his suit jacket on.
"Looking sharp pop". Justin said from the doorway.
"It's worth it for Jo". Hank replied.
He then pulled out a pair of black dress socks along with his dress shoes once he had those on he was ready. The father and son then went downstairs Hank waited patiently at the bottom of the steps then Erin appeared at the top.
"You guys ready?" Erin asked.
The guys nodded and she turned her head back to call for her sister. "Jo come on honey".
A moment later Jordan stood at the top of the stairs looking down at her father and older brother. The father and son looked on with smiles and tears in their eyes. Hank couldn't believe his little girl was growing up before his eyes.
"Jo Jo you look amazing". Justin said to his sister.
"Daddy what do you think?" Jordan asked her father.
"Jo you are beautiful". Hank said wiping a tear.
"Dad don't cry".
"Time for pictures". Erin said.
Jordan stood next to her father for one, for another she stood next to her brother, she then was in front of her father and brother.
"Alright you guys go on".
The father and daughter then left off for the dance. It was a 10 minute drive to the school and once they arrived the front of the school was decorated, balloons were tied to the poles. They went inside to the gym where it was fully decorated, there were pink and purple streamers covering the ceiling and walls. Different colored balloons surrounded the gym.
The gym was swarmed with fathers and daughters, some danced, some were talking. The lights in the gym dimed as the first song played Jordan took a hold of her father's hand and dragged him to the dance floor. Once on the dance floor she took a hold of her father's left and just as Hank took a hold of her right hand and the two began dancing to, Tim McGraw My Little Girl.
Hank was smiling as he danced with his princess, for once it was the two of them. He hadn't spent a lot of time with his little girl the past couple of weeks due to the cases they had, the most he seen her was in the mornings before they left and at nights when she was going to bed. He didn't have anything to worry about at the moment, no criminals, his bosses, no one shooting at him, any of it, he was going to enjoy the time with his little girl.
Jordan held onto her father as they danced, the nine year old was overjoyed that she was able to have these special moments with her father. When she would spend time with him he would end up getting called away on a case but not tonight it would be just the two them.
During the dance the two went over to grab a drink they sipped on some punch as they watched the other fathers with their daughters.
"I'm having a lot of fun daddy". Jordan said.
"I am to Jo". Hank says, smiling down at her.
Jordan saw that pictures were being taken so she looked back up at her father. "Dad could we get our picture taken?"
"Of course sweetheart".
The father and daughter then went over to where the pictures were being taken, once it was their turn Hank stood tall with Jordan by his side. In another one Jordan stood in front of her father holding onto one of his arms. The pictures were then printed and put into an envelope and given to Hank. The dance was almost over when the last song of the night played it was Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle. All the fathers and daughters were slow dancing to the song.
The dance was now over and everyone was leaving, when Hank and Jordan left the nine year old had a smile on her face the whole time. During the drive home Jordan had fallen asleep, when they arrived home Hank cut the engine and went to get his baby girl from the back. He carried her in bridal style the front door opened both Erin and Justin looked to see Hank carrying their sister in.
"How was the dance?" Justin asked.
"It was great". Hank replied.
He then took Jordan up to her room just as she began to stir awake. "Dad?" Her voice filled with sleep.
"Hey Jo were home now, why don't you get ready for bed and I'll be back to tuck you in". He says in a soft voice.
She nodded as he put her down, Hank then went downstairs while Jordan began changing out of her dress. He then went to get the envelope from the car and came back in.
"What's that?" Erin asked.
"We got some pictures taken at the dance and here they are". Hank replied, taking the pictures out.
Erin and Justin were looking at the pictures from the dance.
"Oh my gosh these are absolutely adorable". Erin commented.
"These are very good pop, now we just need ones from Jo's prom". Justin said.
"Yeah by then she'll have a boyfriend".
"Not happening". Hank said.
"You can't keep her little forever Hank".
"She can grow up Erin but my baby isn't going to date".
She then chuckled as they continued to look at the pictures. Jordan was out of her dress she was wearing a gray t shirt and plaid pajama pants, she went to the bathroom to wash the makeup off and brushed the curls out of her brown hair. Once she was finished she went back to her room and got in her bed, Hank went up to check on his daughter.
The nine year old was almost asleep when the older father came in, he went over to her and she leaped up hugging him tightly. "I had fun tonight daddy, thanks for coming with me".
"You're welcome baby".
He then tucked the blanket around her and kissed her head.
"I love you daddy". Jordan then fell asleep.
He kissed her forehead and brushed her hair back from her forehead. "I love you too honey".
He then went back downstairs and took one of the pictures putting it in the frame. He looked at the picture and gave a soft smile.'She'll always be my little girl'.