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Why she felt the need to scream at the top of her lungs when she knew I was only a few rooms away was beyond me. I arrived at her doorway to see her sitting on the floor, surrounded by every toy and stuffed animal she owned. It looked like she’d been attempting to shove them all into her small backpack and the result was stuffy mayhem.
“I don’t think that’s all going to fit, cupcake,” I smirked as she punched her tiny fist into a teddy bear’s head that was poking out of the zipper.
“But I need them all, Daddy. I don’t want them to be lonely while I’m gone.”
My smile dropped and an ache that had been forming inside of me knowing this day was coming started up. Daisy was joining my parents in their RV for a four-week trip around the state. My feelings about my only child, my baby, leaving me for a month were conflicted.
On the one hand I was grateful to not have to worry about childcare while I worked and I was definitely looking forward to getting some one-on-one adult time with Lily. But a big part of me was freaking out about my daughter being away from me for so long. It would be the longest we’ve been apart since she was a baby and I was going to miss the hell out of her.
Crouching down, I flipped the bag open to see what all she’d packed. My heart stuttered in my chest when I saw a picture of me, Daisy and Lily. It had been taken about a week ago when we’d visited the arcade. They had one of those photo booths that printed a strip of four different pictures and we’d crammed inside, sticking our tongues out and making bunny ears with giant smiles on our faces.
“I didn’t want to forget what you and Lily look like; you won’t forget what I look like, will you, Daddy?” she said, making that organ completely stop and my breath hitch.
I gathered her up in my arms and squeezed her as tight as I could without crushing her. “Never, baby girl. I could never forget a single thing about you.”
“Daddy! You’re smooshing me!” She squealed and I released her, giving her a tickle for good measure.
After much debate we settled on two stuffed animals, three books, a Barbie and the picture all tucked safely in her little bag. Knowing my parents, they’d spoil her rotten and she’d return with two more bags full of souvenirs and toys.
We straightened up her room, I grabbed her bags and took her small hand in mine as we headed to Lily’s bakery so that she could say goodbye. We stepped through the door and I could see tears already forming in Lily’s eyes as she rounded the counter and ran to Daisy. They hugged and cried, talking so fast I couldn’t understand a word. My girls had a strong bond and it was clear they were going to miss each other.
“You promise to call every day? And not a regular call, I want Facetime, missy,” Lily asked as she wiped the tears from Daisy’s cheeks and then her own.
“Promise,” Daisy drew an X over her heart.
“Good. Now, I made you a box of snacks for your trip but you have to promise to share them with Grandma and Grandpa.” Lily hurried back to the counter and grabbed one of her bakery boxes. It had Daisy’s name on it and colorful flowers and hearts had been drawn all over. If the woman didn’t already have my heart, then that would have made it hers.
“We gotta go, sweetheart, my parents are waiting on us.” I took the box from her hands and she immediately began to wring them and bite her lip as tears threatened to spill over again. Not wanting to see them cry anymore, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close. “Tonight, Lily, you’re all mine,” she shivered and when I pulled back the tears were gone and a sexy blush was covering her face.
* * *
My parents’RV turned the corner on their street and disappeared from sight. It’d been about thirty seconds and I was already feeling the absence of my daughter. This sucked.
I checked my watch unnecessarily, I knew the bakery would be open for a few hours. I could always head into the office but I’d told everyone I was taking the day off and if they called me, it better be because one of them had lost an arm.
The drive home was silent without Daisy’s usual singing, questioning or recanting of her day’s activities. I’d glanced in my rearview mirror at her empty car seat about seventy-two times in the five-minute drive.
I dragged my sorry ass up the stairs, not looking forward to the further silence that would greet me at home. What the hell did parents do when they didn’t have their children asking them for snacks and toys and more snacks?
I’d had an entire life before she was born but I couldn’t think of how I used to spend my free time. Probably going to bars and trying to pick up women. Neither of which appealed to me now. The only woman I wanted was currently slinging cupcakes downstairs. Or so I thought…
Upon opening my front door, I was greeted with delicious smells and the sound of Lily singing along to the music blasting through the Bluetooth speaker in my kitchen. I silently closed and relocked the front door, slipping out of my boots so that I could move across the living room quietly.
Lily’s back was turned away from me as she stirred something on the stove. She was dressed casually in a tank top and shorts, no longer in her work attire. Her sexy fucking body swayed to the beat and my cock twitched as her ass spun in a circle just like it did when she was riding me.
Her hair was piled on top of her head, save for a few tendrils that had slipped out. I wanted to slide my arms around her waist and put my mouth all over that tempting skin that was exposed, so I did just that.
She startled for a moment but quickly realized it was me as I dragged my lips from the crook of her neck up to her ear. “It smells fucking amazing in here,” I groaned as I breathed her in, not knowing if I was referring to her or the food. “I didn’t expect to see you for a few hours.”
She twisted in my arms, sliding her own up my chest, clasping her fingers behind my neck. “Benji can handle it. I wanted to be here for you. I was worried about you being alone.” Small lines formed in between her brows as she searched my face. This woman fucking slayed me. She knew how sad I’d be without Daisy here and made sure that I wouldn’t return to an empty house.
Pulling her in tight, I devoured her mouth, hoping that I was showing Lily what that meant to me, what she meant to me. I loved her, without a doubt. I’d never been in love before her but it didn’t change the fact that I knew what I felt.
I loved my daughter, my parents, my sister, my team. But in that moment, I knew that this woman was made for me and I prayed she felt the same.
Burying my face back into the crook of her neck, I placed my lips against her there to keep from blurting out the words. I’d been careful not to spook her and I didn’t know how she’d handle me begging her to stay with me forever.
“Hey,” she spoke softly as her nails scratched lightly at my scalp. “She’s going to be just fine and these four weeks will fly by before you know it.” It wasn’t my proudest moment but I let her think that my sudden mood swing was due to Daisy leaving.
