Chapter Thirteen
Sammy
Waking up in Daddy’s arms after the absolute perfect date was exactly where I wanted to be. I kept my eyes closed, not wanting to ruin the moment, and I listened to his breath. He wasn’t asleep either.
“How long have you been awake?” I finally asked.
“About twenty minutes.”
That surprised me.
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because you look too adorable sleeping there.”
“Sweet words will get you everywhere, Daddy.” I turned my head up and kissed his chin. “I’ll be right back.” I headed to the bathroom where I took care of business and came right back to snuggle his arms.
“Do you have a lot to do today?” I did, but I didn’t want to do any of it. I wanted to stay here, with Daddy the entire time.
“I was kind of hoping to spend it with you, my sweet boy.” He kissed the top of my head.
“I’m not turning that offer down.” We stayed in bed snuggling until my stomach growled. Daddy wasn’t putting up with that.
“Let’s get ready for the day and get you fed.” It wasn’t him asking.
We showered together, an actual getting-clean shower.
My bathroom wasn’t big enough for anything more than washing up, which had never disappointed me until today.
Disappointed was the wrong word because despite not being able to have some naked fun like we had the night before, there was an intimacy to it that was really nice.
Daddy helped me dry off and get dressed and put his clothes on. He wasn’t taking care of his little; he was being a good partner. I loved how he could go back and forth like that. Sometimes I needed a daddy while I was big.
“What would you like to eat?” I opened the fridge, quickly reminded that it was time for grocery shopping. “I have some eggs, some peppers, and some cheese. I could probably whip up some pancakes.” I shut the fridge door and added shopping to my mental to-do list.
“How about we go out?”
Staying here and snuggling with Daddy all day sounded like more fun, but I didn’t even have bread for toast. Going out was the best idea.
“There’s a brunch place about three blocks over.
I haven’t been, but it’s probably better than anything I’m gonna be able to get you before I hit up the grocer’s. ”
We walked there, Daddy and I holding hands the entire time.
“This is nice.”
“Going to breakfast?” he asked.
“Well, that too, but I meant starting the day together.”
“I agree.” He kissed the top of my head.
We didn’t pass anything special or remotely interesting on the way to the restaurant, but that was fine. This time was about the two of us being together, not finding a really cool shop.
We were lucky, and despite the long line, they had a table for two left. When they sat us at our table, it made sense. Two was all it could hold, which explained why we were able to get in so quickly. But it was enough room.
The place was loud, and we didn’t really have any conversation of substance because of it. There were only so many times you could ask, “What?” Before giving up.
The food was scrumptious and made up for it. I’d probably go again, although possibly not on a Sunday when everyone and their uncle was there. It was a sweet morning-after-date place, but the atmosphere wasn’t quite there.
We walked back, stopping at the local coffee shop to grab a drink of choice on the way.
“Well, that’s it. That’s all of my ideas for the day.” I closed the door behind us.
“I think they were wonderful ideas.” He gave me a far-too-brief kiss.
We sat on the couch and decided to look up things to do in town to find something fun for the day. There was always something happening this time of year, even if it was only a band at the half shell or a farmer’s market day. It was one of the things I loved about the area.
“Hey, this looks like CB.” He picked up my sketchpad.
“I thought so too. I found it at my grandpa’s place and brought it back.” I told him how I was fairly confident it had been a present from my grandfather that had been forgotten over time.
Daddy opened up to the picture of the fairy tree. “Were these your grandpa’s pictures?”
“No, it was blank when I got it. I’ve been drawing a lot lately.”
“Tell me about this one.”
One by one, we went through the different pictures I’d drawn from the cabin to the tree to the pancakes shaped like bears, all the way to the outfit I’d picked up for last night. I’d been on a roll lately and looking back at them as I told their stories, I was really proud of my work.
“Looks like you’re telling the story of us through pictures.” He traced the bear on the onesie.
“It kind of is.” I hadn’t intentionally done that, but looking at my drawings, he was right. Every single picture could be traced back to him.
“This book might be the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Do you always journal like this?”
I hadn’t considered it journaling, but after he said it, it made sense. “I draw when I’m inspired too. When I have something in my head and I have to get it down on paper, I pull out a sketch pad. I have another one started that I keep in the nightstand drawer.”
“Have you always done this?”
“For a long time, but lately, it’s been happening more and more.”
“Because of me?” He was still tracing the bear.
“Yeah, Daddy, because of you.” There was no denying it to him or myself. Every single picture could be traced back to Will. “Is that okay?”
“More than okay, my sweet boy. So much more than okay.”