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Mike then regaled us with tales of his newfound fame among the Daddies. “They were literally in tears, thanking me,” Mike said, adopting a deep, gravelly voice to mimic a Daddy. “One of them said, 'Mike, you've saved my life with this event. I finally have something to look forward to. I haven't smiled in years until now!'” He concluded his impersonation with a dramatic flourish, wiping away a non-existent tear.
Elijah, quick with his wit, retorted, “Yeah, and I bet unicorns flew in to celebrate too, right?” I joined in, giggling along with Elijah’s playful skepticism.
Unfazed, Mike beamed, “Ah, but you see, that's not all! I'm planning a mockumentary on the Daddy event night. Picture this: dramatic interviews, Daddies lamenting their tragic lives of mismatched socks and lost video game battles against Littles.” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he painted a vivid picture of his comedic masterpiece.
I teased Mike, “You’re developing quite the hero complex, Mike. What’s next, a grand 'Daddy Parade' with you as the grand marshal?”
Elijah added, feigning seriousness, “And don’t forget the 'Mike Appreciation Day'. I’ll get the banners ready!”
Mike laughed heartily, “Great ideas! I’ll put them on the agenda. You might be onto something.”
He then delved into the activities he suggested for the Daddy event night during the meeting, his tone laced with irony. “First, we have the ‘Dad Joke Championship.’ Picture the Daddies trying to outdo each other with the worst jokes imaginable.” He paused for effect, then continued, “Then there’s the ‘Daddy Dance-off.’ You know, to show off those classic Daddy dance moves which are notoriously bad. Oh, and a mock award ceremony where Daddies get awards for the most over-the-top rules they've set. So basically, it's all about embracing the silliness of being a Daddy. After all, if you can't laugh at yourself, what can you laugh at?”
Just then, Kristen sauntered in with a grace that seemed out of place amidst the scattered toys and cheerful chaos. I watched as Mike, ever the friendly soul, waved her over.
"Hey Kristen, want to join our game?" Mike asked with genuine enthusiasm.
Kristen tilted her head, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness. "Oh, Mike, it's so brave of you to play with toys at your age. I wish I had the courage to disregard what people think of me."
Mike puffed out his chest, seemingly taking her words at face value. "Yeah, I've been called brave before. It's a badge I wear proudly!"
Unaware of Kristen's underlying snideness, Mike continued, "We're heading to the event early, want to come with us?"
Kristen's response was laced with condescension. "Oh, I would love to, but I already have plans that are a bit more... mature. It's so cute that you all enjoy these little gatherings though!"
Mike, still clueless, beamed. "Absolutely! We're the epitome of cute. And our gatherings? The cutest!"
Kristen's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice turning syrupy. "It’s adorable how you find such joy in these simple things. I sometimes wish I could be content with so little."
Mike nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks, Kristen! We do find joy in the simple things. Makes life so much more fun!"
As Kristen prepared to leave, she threw one final barb, masked as a sweet farewell. "Well, have fun with your little playtime. I guess we all find entertainment in different ways. Some just never grow out of certain phases, right?"
Mike waved her off. "Thanks, Kristen! You're such a sweet girl."
After she left, Mike turned to us, oblivious to the undercurrents of her words. "Isn't she just the nicest?"
Elijah rolled his eyes, a gesture lost on Mike but not on me. I chuckled softly, deciding to keep Mike's innocent perception intact. It was better this way, seeing the world through Mike's unjaded eyes. Even if those eyes sometimes missed the subtleties of a backhanded compliment.
Suddenly, Mike's stomach made its presence known with a growl, prompting him to whisper dramatically, "Quiet down, you insatiable beast, your feast awaits!"
I couldn't help but giggle at his antics. Mike turned to me, feigning indignation. "Lina, this is a serious matter. My tummy is a voracious monster with an appetite as big as my imagination!"
His over-the-top seriousness only made me laugh harder. "Oh, Mike, you and your ever-hungry monster," I said, still chuckling.
Riding on the wave of Mike's infectious energy, we crawled out of the playroom towards the snacks room, excited for the Little-friendly treats. As we reached the snacks, Mike and Elijah stood up and waddled toward the table, which was laden with delightful treats like mini sandwiches shaped like animals, fruit skewers, and tiny cupcakes with colorful frosting.
As they eagerly reached for the snacks, I spotted Daddy across the room, chatting with friends. Daddy was as handsome as the day I first saw him here, his smile like the warm glow of a sunset, his blue eyes as inviting as a serene ocean.
I didn’t need to look at him to know he was here. Even without a glance, I'd find him, guided by the invisible threads that wove us together. The gentle rhythm of his steps, the familiar warmth radiating from him, they spoke to me across thenoisy club. In a world of shadows, his presence was a light only I could see. I could easily point at him blindfolded, just through the rhythm of his breath and by the way his footsteps fell upon the floor. In life or beyond, in the midst of chaos or the silence of an empty world, I would always recognize him. And should the world crumble to its end, in life or in death, his essence would remain a guiding light, unmistakably Daddy.
Watching him, I was transported back to that first encounter. The room had been bathed in soft, amber light, creating an ambiance that felt like a fairy tale. Daddy's smile had been a beacon in the room, radiating warmth and kindness. The way he had gently resolved the dispute between Elijah and Jenna over the toy car had caught my attention. It wasn't just his looks but the kindness in his actions that had drawn me in.
Back then, everything had seemed to be tinged with a romantic hue – the cozy corners of the playroom, the way laughter echoed softly off the walls, and the way his voice had the soothing quality of a lullaby.
Lost in these thoughts, I was snapped back to the present as Mike handed me a mini sandwich with a flourish, saying, "For the queen of our Little kingdom, the finest cuisine our club has to offer."
I smiled, taking the sandwich. "Thank you, Sir Mike. Your gallantry knows no bounds."
