Page 11 of Mommy Calls Me Princess

“Armando, I’m so sorry if my message woke you.”

“Not at all, dear friend. I just got my boy down and was headed to the shower. Is everything alright?”

Well, hopefully this didn’t backfire and further upset Darcy. “I’m not sure you’re aware, but I’m in a serious relationship with one of your employees.”

A familiar, jovial lilt filled his words. “Oh, do tell.”

“Armando, I’ve missed your charm, truly. She’s an employee of yours and to be honest, as much as I wish this was a social call, it’s one of concern.”

“I’ve not been made aware of any issues with my staff. What happened?”

“Sorry to have alarmed you, but it’s nothing of injury. I fear my little princess is on the verge of a breakdown and missing her mommy. I hope I’m not crossing a line by reaching out to you but when she was last ashore she had an episode that stems from fear of abandonment and I’m seeing it in her eyes again.”

“Separation anxiety. I understand, my boy Jalen suffers from the same. What is your littles name? Maybe I can bring her to my quarters for a play break with Jalen.”

“Darcy Hanley. She’s a lead cabin steward.”

“And a very good one. Darcy’s been with me for two years now. I had no idea she was a little. Jalen will be delighted.”

The normally calm, cool, demeaner I was known for shattered when a sigh of relief loudly escaped. “Armando, that would mean the world to me.”

“Think nothing of it, Vivienne. After all, Blush brought my boy to me, and I’ll forever be in your debt for that. He’s my world.” Armando got that familiar, far away, head over heels in love sound in his voice. One my own reflection revealed each time I saw myself in the mirror since Darcy entered my life.

“When this series of sails, is that the right word? Well, when the three months are over I expect you and Jalen to visit us. My Princess will be coming home to a playroom of her own and we’d love to have you over, but keep that between us please, it’s a surprise.”

Armando winked. “I can promise that we’ll take you up on that, but for now, I must bid you goodnight. Afterall, I have a playdate to arrange tomorrow.”

“Thank you again, Armando. Goodnight.”

Out of habit, I double checked the doors even though I knew security had them locked and armed. The contractors started the renovations on the loft a couple of days ago and while there were signs of construction taking place , they managed to keep their supplies tidy.

As I lay in bed thinking of my girl, the contrast between her fair skin and blonde hair to my dark eyes and nearly black hair couldn’t have been more opposite than were we, yet we fit. I swear, the moment she placed her hand in mine the night we met my heart leaped. Love at first site? Possibly, though I had never been one to believe in that.

Did I now?

I sure as hell was beginning to.

“Hello?” Groggily, I answered the phone. My eyes were not focused enough to see who the caller was until a facetime request popped up. “Good morning, Princess.”

“Mommy, mommy, mommy, guess what?” Her exuberant smile filled the screen. “I got invited to the captain’s cabin to play with his boy.” She paused and got her thinky face on. “I wonder who told him I was a little? Probably McKenna. I think she’s a mommy and doesn’t know it. She does that eyebrow thing like you do.” Back and forth from right to left she tried her best to cock a brow and failed hilariously miserably. Tired or not, the laughter at her silly antics had fully woken me.

“We’ll have to work on that, my love.”

She got a dreamy look on her pretty face. “I like that.”

“Like what?”

“Being your love. Being your everything really.”

“That you are, sweet girl. What time is your play date?” The dark circles under her beautiful blues said she wasn’t getting enough sleep. But with as excited as she was, I wasn’t about to burst that happy bubble, though I felt better about last night’s call to Armando.

“Captain Solis said to come to his cabin at noon, and he’d have lunch there for us too. Should I bring my princess doll or my stuffies?”

“I say bring whatever you want to share and feel comfortable carrying around the ship.” I said, unsure if she was out about being a little to more than Armando and McKenna.

“Good call. I’ll put play clothes in my backpack and one of my stuffies, um,” she chewed on her finger as she glanced from Loxi to her princess bear. “Which one would you pick, Mommy?”

“Finger out of your mouth, silly girl. Which stuffie has had more attention?” Sounded wise to me but given I was operating on an uncaffeinated brain, who was I to say.

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