“You can look now, baby boy.” Daddy sounded excited. I blinked as Papa pulled his hands away. At first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me because all I could see was hundreds of twinkling stars but then I saw that they were fairy lights strung about the room in soft pastel colours. The overheads were dimmed, but there was more than enough light to see.
Daddy must have noticed me looking at the ceiling. “We found bright overhead lights were too distracting for our Littles. Having them set a little lower helps with headspace.” I nodded at Daddy’s words, moving deeper into the room. A huge multicoloured rug in pastels dominated the centre of the room, large bean bags in fun shapes provided comfy places for Littles to rest, and against one wall was a bookshelf filled with story time books and thick cushioned chairs to sit in. A beautiful mural depicting animals both real and magical in a wondrous forest scene dominated the far wall, and below the mural were colourful shelves and cubbies to put shoes and jackets.
It was beautiful like a dream, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to play with. First there was the Lego table covered in bricks that was so tempting, and there were painting easels and craft boxes, but I squealed loudly when I saw the best thing in the entire room. My heart thumped as I moved towards the most beautiful play kitchen I had ever seen. I ran my hand over the miniature counter and oven. They were painted in pale blue with yellow flowers. The little door to the oven opened and so did the fridge, and there were even pretend fruits and vegetables.
There was a family of dolls and stuffies against the wall, and I quickly picked out who would be coming to the tea party and sat them around the low table nearby. Papa sat down near me. I wasn’t sure where Daddy was but something told me he wouldn’t be far, so I kept playing, losing myself in the tiny kitchen and tea set.
“Lady Penelope,you can sit next to Sir Woofington.” I moved my new doll friend next to the patchwork dog stuffie. She gossiped too much if she sat next to Mr Puddles, the yellow and green spotted frog.
I poured each one of my new friends their tea and set out plates with their high tea cakes and cucumber sandwiches. I wrinkled my nose at the thought of the cucumber sandwiches. I couldn’t understand why someone would want to eat those but they were part of a proper High Tea.
Granny used to take me into Leeds to a fancy tea shop when I was younger. I remembered fancy towers of little cakes and sandwiches and pretty cups. I remembered her arguing with my parents, who had felt at sixteen I was too old to go on such outings. We’d had the best day.
I hummed softly to myself as I pretended to fill each dainty cup. Even Papa held out a tiny cup for me to fill. It was dwarfed by his large hands, making him look like a giant at a pixie party.
“What was that giggle for, sprite?” Papa pretended to bring the dainty cup to his lips.
“You’re a giant at a tea party.”
“Oh, a giant, am I?” Papa stood up and thumped his chest, letting out a roar. I squealed, grabbing Lady Penelope and running. Papa chased me, roaring, until he caught me. I yelled as he lifted me up in the air, growling playfully, and we both collapsed into the bean bags.
Papa pulled me across him until my head was resting on his broad chest. I rubbed my eyes and yawned, surprising us both.
“Tired, little one?’
“Playing is exhausting but fun.” I tried to snuggle more against Papa. “Where’s Daddy?”
“He went to make you some snacks for later and get the fire going in our living room.”
I closed my eyes and breathed in Papa’s aftershave. “Cuddles, then snacks. Lots of snacks.”
“If I know your Daddy there are going to be lots for you to choose from.” Papa cuddled me tight. “Are you having fun, sprite?”
“The best time ever.”
“Well, if that isn’t a sight to warm a Daddy’s heart. My two favourite men cuddled up.” Daddy’s legs came into view and he dropped down to one knee so I could see him.”Sit up, baby, and have something to eat.”
Papa helped me sit up and Daddy lowered himself onto the floor and slid a tray of snacks and a sippy cup full of juice towards me.
There were apple slices and a small sandwich cut into triangles with no crusts, and a small bowl of Cadbury mini animal biscuits. I was tempted to go for them first. They were one of my favourite things. But Daddy pushed the sandwich towards me. I picked up one and sniffed it, causing Daddy to laugh. Even though it had only been an hour or two since we’d eaten dinner, I was hungry. Playing always gave me an appetite, and the tray Daddy had laid out did look really good.
“I promise there are no vegetables hiding, it’s just an egg and mayo sandwich,” Daddy said.
Marco snorted a laugh. “Nothing your Daddy makes isjustanything. The man is a god in the kitchen. Take a bite.”
Wanting to show Daddy I could be a good boy, I did as he asked. It was just an egg sandwich after all. What I wasn’t expecting was how amazing it tasted. My taste buds were dancing with each bite I took. I finished my first triangle andquickly started on the second. “Daddy, can you make these for me every day?”
“I don’t know how healthy eating one of these every day would be, but I will put it on the list of Seb’s favourite foods.” Daddy answered, handing me a sippy cup.
“Do you really have a list?” I took a sip from my cup and smiled. It was apple juice, one of my favourites.
“I don’t, but I think I should. What other things do you like to snack on when you’re playing?”
I cuddled Lady Penelope to my chest. “Normally I don’t have snacks if I’m playing by myself. I get so caught up that I forget to eat.”
Daddy leaned forward and kissed my forehead, then pulled me into his lap. I snuggled against his chest, taking a long sip from my sippy cup. “Well we won’t let that happen. We will always make sure you have plenty of snacks and cuddles during playtime.”
I took another slow pull from my sippy cup before I held it out. I wasn’t sure who took it as I yawned at the same time.
