Page 8 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
“Yeah.”
“Good. Magic gets shy, and if you peek, it will run away and won’t work, and then Nana will be stuck at the airport all week…, and we won’t be able to bring her back. We don’t want that, do we?”
He watches as their eyes widen in horror at the thought, their little faces full of concern.
“No, Daddy!”
“Exactly,” I nod, giving a dramatic pause. “So, no peeking, or Nana stays in the airport, and you’ll have to wait for her to come back with all her gifts."
That does the trick. Both kids quickly squeeze their eyes shut, their little hands covering their faces tightly.
I motion for Mom, who’s been trying - and failing - to stifle her laughter, to quietly step inside. Then, taking a deep breath, I wave my hands dramatically over their heads.
“ABRACADABRA SPAGHETTI!”
“POOFITY POOF NANA COME BACK.”
I added my own. "LENNOX-LAMBOOZLE!"
I throw my arms in the air. "Nana,appear!"
"Okay, open your eyes!"
They open their eyes and gasp loudly when they see her.
"NANA!" They shriek, running straight into her arms.
"It’s really her!" Nico cries. "Daddy, you really are a magician!"
I smirk, crossing my arms. "Told you."
Mom laughs, kissing their heads. "Oh, I missed my munchkins so much! And guess what? I brought so many gifts for you."
Their little faces light up like Christmas morning.
But as Nico rushes off, Mia suddenly turns back to me. She lifts her arms. "Dadda, up!"
I scoop her up, settling her on my hip.
She leans in, whispers, "Dadda, I know that Nana was outside. I saw her dress and bag behind the wall."
I blink, caught.
"But…," she continues, grinning, "good job. I won’t tell Nico."
I raise a brow. "Oh, you’re keeping my secret?"
She nods solemnly, pressing a tiny finger to her lips. "Shhh."
I mimic her, touching my lips with a grin. "Our little secret."
“I love you, princess.”
“I love you too, Dadda.”
"Go get your gifts before Nico swipes them all!" I tell her, setting her down.
Her eyes widened in horror. "Nicooo!" She screams, then takes off running toward the living room.
