Page 19 of Daddy's Little Dreamer

“I’m glad, sweetheart. You deserve to be treated like the prince you are. You have a big heart and no one has the right to stomp on it.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I hoped I wasn’t in over my head and that Daddy Jayger wouldn’t end up being just as shady as the others, but it didn’t feel that way. He felt like the real deal.

“I ordered pizza for dinner. How about dinner and a movie living room style?”

“I love that, Mom. What can I do to help?”

“Why don’t you pick the movie while I answer the door.”

The Secret Life of Bees for the win! What a spectacular ending to a fantastic day, though it wasn’t over yet. I still had a bedtime story coming.

After the movie, Mom kissed me goodnight and then I got ready for bed. I popped out on the fire escape for my nightly wish, then hurried inside to cuddle up with Bumble and call Daddy Jayger. Throughout the movie, Brandon and I had been texting, and he was super excited for me.

Right at ten, I facetimed Daddy Jayger.

“There’s my sweet boy. How was your evening with Mom?”

“Hi, Daddy Jayger.” I waved at the phone. “It was nice. We had pizza and watched The Secret life of Bees?”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” He winked. “Do you have a favorite bedtime story?”

“I do but it’s one Mom wrote for me when I was younger. It’s about a sweet prince. I don’t have a printed copy, though.” I needed to get her to write it down and try to publish it.

“Well, I have one here.” He waved a book with a blue cover and lots of shiny night stars on the front. “It’s got magic and fun new friends. It’s called Genie’s Boy by TL Travis.”

“Ooohhh, that sounds fun. Will you read it to me?”

“I’d love nothing more, sweet boy. Get you and Bumble comfy.”

Once we were situated, he began. “This book doesn’t start out happy, but I promise you it has a happy ending.”

“Okay, Daddy Jayger. I trust you.”

By the time he finished the story, I was sitting up straight, Bumble clutched tightly in my arms.

“That was so sad. I can’t believe he lost his parents, but he had a new magical daddy and lots of new friends and the bad guy was gone forever.”

“He did. This story just goes to prove that love can heal. You never forget the ones you loved but your heart can learn to love and trust again.”

“Still, I can’t imagine being without Mom. She’s the best.”

“From what little of her I know, I see that too. Now, tuck in, sweet boy, it’s time for daddy to say goodnight.”

“Night Daddy Jayger. When can I see you again?”

“How about next Saturday? Want to come to Daddy’s house and play?”

Did I? That hadn’t worked out well before. Better to know now rather than later once my heart went too far.

“Sounds fun, Daddy Jayger.”

“Until tomorrow night, sweet boy.”

“Tomorrow night?”

“Yes, our nightly bedtime story time.”

“You’re gonna read to me every night?”

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