Chapter 20
The backyard teemed with all the people Saylor cared about the most. She’d become a part of the group with such ease and delight that she still was slightly shocked.
Fitting in with new groups had never been easy for Saylor, and allowing others to see her in her most vulnerable state was so tough.
Thank goodness, the daddies and her new friends made it so easy.
The men had shown the Littles a few personal protection moves before sending them out to swing. They’d made practicing self-defense part of their normal gatherings. All of the Littles felt more confident in their abilities with each session.
“I have a surprise to show you guys,” Saylor told the Littles as they crowded around her.
“Really? I love surprises,” Giana cheered.
“You do not!” Aspen said. “You like everything to run like clockwork—like it always does.”
“Well, yeah. Normally. But I do like surprises,” Giana rushed to assure Saylor. “A good surprise?”
“A really great surprise,” Saylor said, bouncing on her toes in excitement.
“Can we see it now?” Brooklyn asked.
“Daddy says after everyone has finished dinner,” Saylor told them, wrinkling her nose in disappointment.
“We could eat really fast?” Aspen suggested.
“I do not want to do the Heimlich on everyone at the barbecue,” Giana said, shaking her head to avert that bad idea. The emergency responder in her adult side couldn’t risk that.
“Or Saylor could sweet-talk her daddy?” Pippa asked with a smirk of amusement.
“Sweet-talk me into what, baby?” Max asked.
Immediately, the Littles turned to where Rexy stood guard for them. Unfortunately the huge dog had fallen asleep, and his legs thrashed as he chased rabbits and squirrels in his doggie dreams. They all spun back to look at each other and couldn’t be upset with Aspen’s pet. He was so cute!
“Um, Saylor?” Max asked, reminding them of his question.
Thinking quickly, she blurted, “We want to have another party next weekend.”
Max looked at her curiously before nodding. “Okay. You can just ask. No sweet-talking needed. Oh, by the way, I have a mystery for you to solve. There’s treasure waiting for you to find it.”
“What?” the Littles asked almost in synchrony.
“A treasure? Like a real treasure, or something like Brussels sprouts?” Pippa asked. When everyone turned to look at her, she raised her shoulders in a silent question. “A daddy might consider that treasure.”
“No Brussels sprouts,” Max promised.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Brooklyn whispered.
“How do we find the treasure, Daddy?” Saylor asked.
“Go grab your glasses, Saylor,” Max reminded her.
“Oh, yeah! Wait for me.” Saylor was back in a few seconds with the funky, artistic frames her daddy had helped her pick out.
“Oh, those are so cute!” Brooklyn complimented her. “Now I want glasses.”
“Now that you’re ready, here’s the first clue, Saylor. When you all figure that out, you’ll find the next spot to check,” Max told the group.
Saylor practically ripped the card out of his hand. Opening it, she easily read aloud, “Go look where Saylor always stores her portfolio. That’s easy. My trunk!”
“No running,” Max shouted after them as they raced into the house.
They slowed down until they were all inside. Then they took off for the car. Saylor had locked her car, or had her daddy? She ran back inside and grabbed her keys from the hook on the wall by the door. Racing back, she pressed the button repeatedly.
The trunk lid rose as they watched. A single white card lay on her portfolio. Brooklyn stepped forward and snatched it up. “The next clue is best friends with the drink mix that Pippa raided.”
“Follow me!” Pippa crowed and led the way back into the house. She dashed into the pantry with everyone hot on her heels. “Max stashes it back here. Got it!”
Pippa handed it to Saylor. “You read it.”
“Where Saylor first shook hands with her new best friend—eight times,” Saylor announced.
“That’s your stuffie, Tapper! Where did you meet him?” Giana asked.
“Daddy left him on the kitchen island.” Saylor pointed over everyone’s heads as they stood in the small pantry. Giggles abounded as they all struggled to navigate turning and exiting at the same time.
“It’s there!” Brooklyn said eagerly as she escaped. “What are those funny hats for?”
“Hats?” Saylor asked, as she walked last out of the enclosed area. “Oh, those are fun!” She stroked a feather sticking up from one and smiled.
“I don’t think those were here when we walked through before,” Aspen said. “Read it, Saylor.”
“Put on a hat and head for an underwater paradise. That’s the nursery! Everyone, quick pick a hat.”
“You have to be the princess,” Giana told her, handing Saylor the one shaped like a crown.
Soon, they all stood around the island, grinning at each other in delight.
Aspen wore the feathered hat, which made her into a seagull.
Rocking the cutest sea otter head, Giana couldn’t stop stroking the soft fur.
Shells scattered all over Brooklyn’s hat, and a string of pearls dangled jauntily down one side.
And Pippa? She sported a shark fin with a tail extending out the back.
“Everyone ready? Let’s go find the treasure,” Saylor said. “I know where the underwater paradise is!”
Saylor led the way to her nursery and opened the door. The guys threw streamers at them as they walked inside and tooted horns. The little girls turned in circles, taking in the beautiful interior.
“It’s like we just sank under the sea!” Brooklyn whispered in awe.
“Look!” Aspen pointed at the mermaid on the wall. “That’s you, Saylor!”
“Daddy drew and painted it for me,” Saylor said proudly.
“Is that you, Max?” Giana asked, pointing at the merman.
“I had to return the favor,” Saylor said with a big grin.
“What big pecs you have, Max,” Koa teased.
“All the better to toss you off a life raft,” Max said, looking way too prepared to do just that.
“Daddy, be nice,” Giana told him as she giggled.
“I am nice. I didn’t mention his codpiece, did I?”
Max grabbed another streamer and fired it at Koa. The long, curly paper floated down over his head, making Koa look like he had pigtails. Giana clapped her hands with delight. She rushed forward to grab a few more streamers and launch them at Koa.
“Gotcha, Daddy!” Giana shouted.
“Oh, you’re in trouble now,” Koa said and grabbed his little girl to nibble and kiss her neck as he rubbed his five o’clock stubble on her.
“Daddy, stop. I’m going to wet my pants!” Giana said, laughing hard.
“Let’s go take care of that,” he said, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her toward the door. “Wait to find the treasure for us.”
“Oh! The treasure. I forgot,” Pippa said, looking around. “We need to wait for Giana. That’s only fair.”
“I’ll point out some fun things in here to give them some time. Check out Tapper on the wall by Daddy,” Saylor said, pointing to the octopus.
“He’s so cute,” Brooklyn sighed. “This room is awesome. I love my nursery best, of course. But this one is awesome.”
“I’m back!” Giana said, running back inside. “Did you find the treasure yet?”
“Daddy?” Saylor asked.
Max turned and opened the closet. With a grand flourish, he pulled out a wooden chest. “I think Tapper hid this. Come sit down, and you can check what’s inside.”
The Littles sat in front of the chest on the carpet. Saylor opened the lid to reveal carefully wrapped packages with each of her friends’ names on them. She passed them out and said, “I hope you love them.”
The Littles unwrapped their gifts and gasped with delight before running over to show their daddies.
Each present was a picture of the couple, hand-drawn by Saylor.
She’d recreated the images from her memory and from pictures on Max’s phone.
Always slightly apprehensive to see how others would judge her artwork, Saylor absorbed every delighted look and thrilled comment.
“I told you they would like it,” Max whispered. He stepped back as the Littles swarmed Saylor with their daddies ringing around them.
“This is the best treasure ever,” Giana said, coming over to hug Saylor.
“Thank you so much,” Brooklyn added, bouncing on her toes with happiness.
“I love this picture. You captured Jerico’s expression perfectly,” Aspen said.
“And your sweet face as well,” Jerico chimed in.
“I don’t know what to say, so I’ll just thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Pippa told Saylor, wiping tears from her face. “I can’t wait to hang it at home.”
As the Littles all crowded together to admire each other’s artwork, Saylor noticed Hank standing alone. She plucked one more wrapped package from her crib and carried it over to him. He took it, studying her carefully.
“I don’t know if you’ll want this, but something told me to draw this one too.”
Hank opened the package carefully and stared at the drawing in his hands.
Saylor peeked over his arm to study the sketch of Hank and Sammie.
She’d drawn the image of Sammie, sitting as close as possible to the handsome soldier when they’d sheltered in the gym during the bomb scare.
Sammie’s expression was one of absolute faith that Hank would protect her no matter what.
And Hank? He’d reached over her lap to wrap his hand over her farthest knee, as if bodily shielding her.
His eyes peered through the room with a laser focus, ever vigilant.
“She made an impression on you too?” Hank asked.
“Yes,” Saylor answered softly.
“Thank you, little girl.” He smiled and walked outside.
Saylor rushed to the window and watched him select a number from his directory. Instantly, a smile spread across his face. She pressed her hands against her heart and wished with all her might that Hank had truly found his little girl.
“You did good, baby. Now, how about giving Hank some privacy?” Max suggested.
“Good idea, Daddy. I love you.”
“And I love you, Saylor Marie Andrews. Come on, let’s join the others.”
The End