Page 10 of Beanful Wishes

I shoot a worried glance at Jake while Lily rolls her eyes.

“Get Silvia to take care of it. She can handle anything that might come up,” Michael says. “And Andy? Don’t call again unless it is a true emergency.”

Lily’s mouth gapes when he turns back to face us. “You mean it?”

Michael pulls his daughter up into his arms. “Today is all about you and me, Pumpkin. Ready to go?”

Lily giggles and nods her assent vigorously. She’s still laughing by the time we pile into my car and head to the aquarium where Jake introduces them to Brenda, the director who is taking us on this morning’s private tour.

“I hope this isn’t too early for you. I thought you might enjoy helping us feed the fish their breakfast,” the middle-aged woman with perfectly styled auburn hair says.

“All of them?” Lily looks up at the large building.

Brenda laughs. “Not all of them, but how about we start with my favorites?” She holds her hand out and Lily takes it, accompanying her to the front door.

“This is my camera team.” I quickly introduce them to Michael. “They’ll stay out of your way, but if you’re up for it, I’d love to do a brief interview if the opportunity presents itself.”

“Of course. A deal is a deal,” Michael says.

Everything goes smoothly as we move from one exhibit area to another, stepping into the employee-only sections from time to time to feed a group of exotic fish, stingrays, and Lily’s favorite, the penguins I’d forgotten about.

“Do you have dolphins?” she asks after petting a ray with her father.

Brenda shakes her head. “Dolphins are very social creatures. They love to talk and play like you do. We don’t have enough room for them here.”

Lily doesn’t look like she believes her.

I turn to help the camera crew set up the next shot when Jake joins us.

“I don’t know how you do it,” he says.

“Do what?” I look at him curiously.

“Balance getting these candid shots while letting Michael and Lily enjoy themselves.” He points first at the camera, then at my phone.

I’ve done a little shooting of my own, waiting to share some snapshots of the experience here once we make it to the park.

“Thank you.” I don’t know what else to say, but the approval in his eyes warms me to the core.

“Busy working already?” Jake asks.

I’m sitting in the shade of a tall oak tree, putting together a short slideshow of images for the station’s Instagram account. “Of course. It’s what I do.”

“You did an amazing job. I love the cake.” He ticks his head in the direction of the picnic table where Michael and Lily are busy sharing plates of peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwiches with a side of veggie tots, carrots, and ranch dressing.

“It seemed fitting.” The moment I saw the ocean themed design at a local Wilmington bakery, I knew it would be perfect for today. “Did I tell you the bakery donated the cake?”

Jake shakes his head. “And how did you know about her favorite foods?”

“That one was easy. I called Michael and asked.” I laugh.

He joins me and I hit publish on my social media post when Lily comes running up to us.

“Are you ready for cake?” she asks, her eyes blazing with delight.

“Absolutely!” Jake jumps to his feet. He holds a hand out to me, but I decline it when I see her running off.

“Hold up, I need a picture first.” I take a series of them. The cake itself, the father and daughter cutting it, and of course Lily trying the first bite.

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