Page 39 of Mommy Calls Me Princess

The flight back was short and quick. After we claimed our luggage, which thankfully all arrived, Darcy, Sarah and I waited curbside with the cart attendant while Jack and Vale went to get his SUV. Sure, I could’ve ordered a car service but not only did Jack want to see the room, but some of our stuff was in their cases and we’d need to sort through that mess.

“Do I really have a surprise, Mommy?” Darcy thought she whispered from the back seat and failed miserably at it.

“A surprise?” Vale piped up from beside her.

“A big one, baby girl.”

“Can I see too?” Vale asked.

“Of course, we can’t do the big reveal without Darcy’s bestie there to see it.” Their little butts wiggled beside me. Thankfully the drive from Seatac to the club was short, aside from the Seattle traffic, but at least we weren’t trying to cut through town like they’d have to do later to get the ferry back to Whidbey.

The club wasn’t open yet. I texted Rhett as we were near and he and William, another member of our security team met us outside to help with the luggage.

“Wow, did you guys buy out Vegas?” Rhett’s wide eyes eyeballed the fully loaded SUV.

“I’d like to see you and your boy go on vacation and come back with exactly what you left with.”

“Point taken. Now, what goes upstairs?” Jack and I pointed to the massive pile that had to be carried up what had suddenly become the longest flight of stairs in history. “Holy moly, woman.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, Rhett,” I rolled my eyes at him. “Wait until I fill your boy full of sugar and send him home.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, I so would.” Rhett and I had been friends for years and this kind of banter between us was normal. Most avoided the hulking, grouchy looking man, which made him great at his job. But underneath he was a big ‘ol teddy bear and Tyson had him wrapped around his little finger.

“Do I get to meet your boy?” Darcy asked him. How great it would be for her to have a local little friend.

Rhett kneeled down beside her. “You absolutely do, Princess. I’ll ask your mommy when it’s okay to bring him in and you two can play until you pass out.”

“Yay! Then he can meet my monkey too,” she grabbed Vale’s hand. “Do you know my BFF Vale? He’s a monkey.”

“I believe I’ve seen him before, when Daddy Jack brought him in. It’s great to see you both,” Rhett shook their hands. “Now, I believe there is something waiting upstairs for you, Princess.”

“Mommy?” She danced in place, and I almost asked if she had to pee. “Can I see it now?”

“Walk slowly and hold onto the railing.” Behind her and Vale the rest of us followed, lugging up the bags. Darcy froze as she stepped inside our home. “Sweetheart, we can’t get in with you in the way.”

“Mommy.” It was like her feet were cemented in place. Vale on the other hand took off down the hall and stopped in front of the playroom.

“Darcy! Darcy! Come quick!”

That got her feet moving again and she took off after him. I didn’t have the heart to remind them not to run, they were too excited. This time, I’d let it pass.

We sat the bags down, just inside the loft and followed down the hall. Vale ran around the room, taking it all in while Darcy was again stuck in place.

“Princess?” She turned and when I saw those big blue eyes filled with tears I feared I’d somehow fucked up. “What’s wrong?”

As I wrapped my arms around her the dam broke. “I don’t know how to be happy,” she sobbed, and my fucking heart ripped.

“Does this make you happy?”

“Yes, but how do I do happy forever?”

“We’ll figure it out together. For now, check out your new playroom before your monkey goes wild.” That drew a snicker from her.

Sarah took my hand in hers as we watched the two of them. “You did good, Vivienne.”

“Thanks, Momma Sarah,” I used Darcy’s earlier moniker. Sarah’s face lit up and I knew I’d struck gold with the woman I’d grown to love as a pseudo parental figure.

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