AllFreeNovel
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It’s close to Christmas, just over a week away. It’s our first Christmas together as a family, so I want to do something to spoil Hailee. With the planetarium finally back open, I thought this was the perfect place to bring her for an early Christmas present.
And she is having the time of her life.
Zoey cuddles into my side, staring up at me lovingly. “Look at her. She’s in her element. I’m so glad you brought us here tonight.”
Holding Zoey tighter, I watch Hailee point out all the stars she knows to another little kid who seems super interested in everything Hailee has to tell her. “When I saw on the website that it was open, I knew I had to bring her after how disappointed she was last time. I just hope it was worth the wait for her.”
Zoey chuckles as Hailee picks up a Saturn hat and places it on her head, spinning the rings around and giggling like crazy. “I think this is a night she won’t forget for a long time.”
I notice a patron of the planetarium signaling to me, and I nod at him. “Oh, we’re only just getting started…Hailee,”I call out to gain her attention.
She peeps up at me from under her Saturn hat, and I wave her over as Zoey hums under her breath. “What have you got in store, Mr. Branson?”
“Just you wait and see, Mrs. Branson,” I reply as Hailee skips over.
“Oh my God, Blake, I am having thebesttime!” she says, out of breath from all her running around.
“Well, I have a little surprise for you. Actually, it’s your Christmas present.”
She furrows her brows, taking off her Saturn hat and holding it to her chest. “I thought coming here was my present?”
Smirking, I start walking the three of us over to the patron. “That was my ruse to get you here. The real present is upstairs.”
Hailee purses her lips. “What’s a ruse?”
I chuckle. Sometimes I forget Hailee is only seven as she acts so much older. “Hmm… like a trick or a deception.”
She widens her eyes and nods. “Oooh… so you played me?”
Zoey smirks as I place my hand on Hailee’s back and lead her along as we walk. “Yes, that isexactlywhat I did.”
Hailee giggles. “Well done. Though I have no idea what the real present is.”
“Then let’s head upstairs and find out,” I suggest as we reach the patron.
Hailee bounces excitedly when he greets us. “Good evening. Everything is prepared for you upstairs. Please take the elevator to the top level. It will all be waiting for you as you enter the area.”
“Thank you… for everything,” I tell him, and he presses the button for the elevator.
Zoey side-eyes me. “What have you got planned?”
I grin. “Hailee is going to love it.”
She rushes inside the elevator, Zoey and I following behind her as she places her Saturn hat back on her head. “Did you get me a trip on a rocket ship?” Hailee asks as the doors close.
I laugh. “I think there’s a minimum height requirement for the rocket ship, Starshine.”
Zoey grins at me as Hailee pouts. “Darn, I wanted to see Saturn close up.”
I smile, loving her enthusiasm, as Zoey slides her arm around me, and mine eases its way down onto her ass. Nothing like a little elevator grope while we have the time. I squeeze her ass, leaning in and planting a kiss on her cheek, making her chuckle as the elevator dings, coming to a halt.
“You ready for this, girls?” I ask, and Hailee practically pulls the elevator doors open excitedly.
“What are we going to…”
The doors open to the observatory, the round room with a giant dome on top, and the huge telescope sitting proudly in the middle of the room is all you can see.
Hailee gasps, then continues her sentence, “… see? B-Blake… are we going to l-look at the s-stars? The r-real stars?” she questions, emotion clearly coming through in her tone as she steps out of the elevator with careful steps like she is scared this isn’t actually happening.
