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JAMESON
"What are you doing?" I ask Ellie, who is lying on her bed, looking around the room.
"Nothing," she whispers, trying to hide her sadness behind a stuffed unicorn in her lap.
"Baby, it's okay, whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise."
She turns her blue eyes to mine, "I just... I want to be here, but I miss my mommy."
I smile at her, pulling her small frame into my lap.
"It's okay to miss her. I miss her too."
She snuggles her head into my shoulder, tracing her fingers over the ink on my arms.
"Do you want me to call her? Do you want to go home?"
A small tear escapes her eye, "Would that make you mad?"
I laugh, "No, babe. It's okay, I understand. You can spend the night here when you're ready."
Her arms extend around my neck, squeezing as tight as her six-year-old muscles will allow.
I leave her room, dialing Hanna as I walk through the hallway and into the living area.
"Hello?" She answers.
"Ellie doesn't want to spend the night yet. Do you want me to bring her home, or do you want to come and get her?"
Hanna's giggle fills the silence, "Silly girl. Do you want me to talk to her? See if I can ease her mind?"
"No." I sigh, "I don't want to push. I knew this would be difficult for her at first. I want her to be completely comfortable."
"Can you drop her off? I've had a few glasses of wine, so I probably shouldn't drive."
"Yeah, okay. We will be over soon."
The line goes dead, and I drop it onto the leather couch.
"Ellie bear, mom's waiting for you when you want to go!" I yell, her tiny feet pattering against the hardwood, running at me full speed.
I stand before she crashes into me, lifting her over my head, spinning her around playfully.
Her giggling is like music to my ears, "Daddy, stop!"
I sit her down carefully, her balance still recovering.
"Is that what it feels like when you fly?"
I smile, "Not really. It's more like this!"
I grab her waist, tossing her up in the air quickly.
She laughs as I catch her on the way back down. "Are you ready?"
She nods, slipping her shoes onto her feet.
She climbs into my truck, a smile plastered on her face, which helps keep the buyer's remorse at bay.
