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“Uh-huh.”
We have this type of conversation down the hallway and into the kitchen. I ask her a question, she gives me a one-word answer or a grunt. Even six-year-olds know when they are not morning people.
I set up the booster seat for Maisey at the breakfast nook and pour her a bowl of cereal while she has a conversation with Floppy. I try to give her privacy but her cute conversation makes a smile form on my lips.
I just set the bowl down in front of her when Parker walks into the kitchen.
“Daddy,” Maisey squeals and runs into his arms.
“How’s my favorite girl today?” He is eye-to-eye with her as she responds.
“Ok,” she says in a small voice. “Floppy didn’t sleep well last night. I think he has a cold.”
“Oh, does he now,” Parker says. She hands Floppy over to her dad, who kisses his cheek. “That is so Floppy feels better.” Then he kisses her cheek. “That is for my princess.”
The little girl smiles and runs back over to her seat and begins eating her cereal.
That scene stole my heart. Whoever Parker is, he definitely loves that little girl to pieces.
“Good morning, Parker. I hope you slept well.” I smirk and he gets it and smiles.
“I did sleep very well in fact. Knowing Maisey is in good hands had me sleeping like a baby.” He turns his gaze toward me and my stomach lurches. “How about you Miss…I mean Cam. How did you sleep?”
My voice comes out as a croak at first. I clear my throat. “I slept very well. I woke up not knowing where I was for a minute.” We both laugh about the hazards of the job.
“I should be home around the same time. I insist on being home to have dinner with Maisey, give her a bath, and tuck her in. I then work from my study after that. After six please feel free to consider that your own free time.”
I take a moment to think about what he said. “Alright, Mr. Madis….I mean Parker. Thank you.” He gathers up his briefcase, kisses Maisey on the cheek again, and waves a quick goodbye to me. I hear the door click behind him and the ding of the elevator, leaving Maisey, myself, and the housekeeper to our own devices. One of my devices will be some snooping to find out just who this man is and why he looks familiar.
“Are you ready to get dressed and brush your teeth, Maisey?” She nods slowly. Definitely not a morning person I shake my head.
“How about this one?”I ask.
“No.”
I pick out another outfit.
“No.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay, Maisey, what would you like to wear today?”
She stalks to her drawer and pulls out a purple leotard with a tutu. I hold back a laugh at her choice. She is such a kid.
“You can’t wear that today. That is for when you have your lessons in ballet. Pick something else please,” I say seriously.
“No.”
This is against nannying 101 training, but I let Maisey stay in her jammies for another hour. Then I pull the first outfit out and try again.
A nod of acceptance. Ah, ok she just wasn’t ready to get dressed.
Finally, we are dressed and at her little desk. I pull up the big girl chair and we begin our lesson. She is smart as a whip and breezes through the lesson in less time than expected. I make a mental note to ask Parker how he feels about getting his daughter tested to see if she qualifies for gifted courses.
“What would you like to do now?” I ask her. She gives me a little smile and goes to her tea table. She pulls out four chairs. One for me, one for her, and one for Floppy.
“Who is the fourth chair for.”
She walks over to her dolls and gently picks up a cabbage patch doll. As she settles the tiny baby in her chair, I ask her, “And who might this little cutie be?”
