Page 78 of Look My Way
“No need. I’m here now. When is this party starting?”
“In an hour.” Tabitha walks past us holding a birthday cake.
“I made it down just in time. Oh.” I spin around. “The birthday gift I ordered is upstairs.”
“Oh, it’s okay. Zavier brought it down earlier with his.”
My body relaxes. “Good. Glad he did that.” He got my nephew a gift too. Laying it on thick, I see. Trying to make us all miss him when he leaves. I’m tense all over again, stomach locking up. That only lasts until a large hand lands on my body and warm lips press to my neck.
“Glad you were finally able to make it down. Want to help me put up the rest of the balloons?”
“Sure.” I lean against him, lips shifting in an upward motion. Wrapping his arm around me, he leads me to the back yard and points to where the balloons are. They’re all filled with helium already and tied to two chairs. Zavier wraps a few around his wrist, and I take some while mapping out the area to find a good place to put them. Time goes by faster than I realize, and the first guest is arriving as I’m securing the last balloon to the mailbox to make it easier for people to find the house.
I walk the little boy and his parents inside, showing them where the party is. There are bouncy houses and a corn-hole game. Someone is in the back corner setting up a face-painting station, and I keep looking over at all the new designs she adds to the fence.
“You should get one done,” a deep voice rumbles in my ear, and I snort, shaking my head.
“No way. That’s for the kids.”
“Funny, I don’t see a sign that says that anywhere. Go on and be the first one. Then everyone will see your face and will want to be next.”
I huff, laying my head on Zavier’s shoulder. On my Daddy. My heart does that weird pitter patter thing every time the word slips into my head. I want to say it out loud, but we’re not in the right place for me to do that. “Yeah, okay. What do you think I should get?”
“Whatever you feel you gotta have.” His smile rubs against my cheek, and he walks me over to where the lady is waiting forher first victim. “Hi.” Her smile is red and bright with a white outline.
“Hey. I’m guessing adults can get something too, right? I figured I could get the party started.”
She chuckles, scooting the chair closer to me. “Of course. Have a seat and tell me what you’d like.”
I browse the selections and settle on a bumble bee and flower design. Wetting her brush, she dips it in the paint and starts as soon as I’m seated comfortably. Tabitha walks by, volunteering to go next when she sees a dandelion.
“Me too, me too,” my niece says, making my nephew come over to investigate. Jumping up and down, he whispers in her ear, pointing at the Spider-Man art.
“See. It’s working already,” Zavier says, leaning closer to my ear, and I laugh, giggling when the cold brush tickles my skin. Zavier holds a mirror up when she’s done and my dimples pop with how big my smile is.
“I love it,” I exclaim, jumping out of the chair to give someone else a turn.
“It looks great, my pretty boy,” Zavier says low enough for only me to hear.
“Thank you, Daddy,” I respond back for his ears only, and he shivers beside me, laying a hand on my hip.
“You’re very welcome, gorgeous. You look as pretty as one of your stones in your garden.”
I’m practically purring. “I feel as pretty as them, Daddy.”Daddy. Daddy. Daddy.
It’s coming out of my mouth easier today and I’m not holding back. He’s eating it up too, eyes looking my way lovingly. I say it whenever I’m sure no one’s listening, melting at how he responds each time. It’s better than they’ve made it look in videos. There are no stresses when I lean into my role as much ashe does his, wishing we were alone so I could drop to the ground and lay my head in his lap.
“You look like you might be ready for a nap,” he says to me after we sing “Happy Birthday,” and cake has already been served.
“I can wait,” I say, limbs heavy and back aching.
“Are you sure? You look like you’re about to fall asleep in your chair.”
He’s genuinely worried about me, caring for me the way I’ve always wanted. He’s not bringing on headaches and drugging my tea for him to act like he does.
“But doesn’t that make me seem weak?”
“Not at all.” He shoves his body closer to mine. “The strongest people take naps. In fact, I think I could use one too. I feel beat. Got up way too early.” His eyes sparkle and my heart speeds up.
