“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, anda 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 apicture 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.
