Page 189 of Steeling Her
He put that smile on her face like he always does. She thinks the world of her dad, just like how I think the world of mine.
“Where’s the little birthday girl?” A booming voice I haven’t heard in a while echoes through the house, and I spin around to face Ted, who stares wide eyed out the double doors where the kids are playing.
Ted is terrified of my dad, and it’s too funny to watch them interact. My dad just stares at Ted in confusion because he rambles nervously nonstop until someone snaps him out of it. My dad is quite a scary guy, I know that, but he tries to dampen down his opinions when Ted is around.
“You didn’t tell me your family was coming,” he whispers beside me and I smirk back at him. “Carter!” he groans as I push past him to see both of my parents who just entered into the house with my oldest brother.
My dad is the first to enter the kitchen with bags of gifts for his first grandchild. He spoils her rotten for her birthday every year. He’s just excited to have another girl carrying the Steel blood. Once he spots me, he dons a huge grin and sets the bags down so he can squeeze me into one of his famous hugs. Once his arms wrap around me, I sink into his hold and kiss his cheek.
“Hi, Dad!” I greet him as he lifts me up to shake me around like a rag doll, making me burst out laughing.
“Hi, baby girl!” He kisses my head and sets me back down on my feet. No matter what age I am, I will always be his baby girl. “You look more beautiful every time I see you. There’s something in the air out here, I’m telling you,” he jokes, taking me in and holding both of my hands. “Maybe your mother needs to spend some time out here?” he teases her and I watch my mom roll her eyes at him, like she always does. My parents are still going strong’. Even though he’s aging a bit, some girls who are into silver foxes flirt with him from time to time. Even then, my dad only has eyes for one woman, and that’s my mom.
“I’m so happy to see you, Dad. I’ve missed you.” I pull him back into another hug that I so badly missed. I’ve missed him. It’s been so long, we’ve both been so busy and it’s been hard to make time for one another.
“I’ve missed you too,” he whispers and squeezes me one last time before greeting my brother. I shift to the side and hug my oldest brother as a greeting and then finally my mom, who I haven’t seen in forever.
“Hey, Mom!” I greet her and she twists me from side to side.
“Hi, sweetie!” she beams as we pull away. “Hi, Ted!” She waves at him as he stands awkwardly in the kitchen. I roll my eyes and snort at my boys all playing around with each other. Chris has my dad in a headlock with him tapping out for some release and air.
“I’m old now, you’ll break my neck with any more pressure, son!” My dad chuckles lowly with his deep voice and his head to the side over my brother’s stomach. “Can’t have you breaking your old man in half now, can we? I need this pretty face for the cover shots.” He winks, making Chris laugh and allowing my dad to escape from his grip. Dad shifts beside him and fixes himself once again, making himself look presentable. Looking around the room, he hears a few high-pitched giggles. He knows where the fun is at; ’outside.
When he spots Taylor playing amongst the mass of small bodies, he knocks on the window to get her attention. Once she sees him, she screams and rushes out of the pool dripping wet.
“Grandpa! Grandpa!” She runs as fast as her little feet can go. Chris warns her to slow down or she’ll slip. I could visualize it, too, so I flinch a little as I watch her race towards her grandfather, waving and panting as she closes the distance between the two of them.
“There she is! There she is!” He holds both arms open for her as her drenched self makes her way over to her grandfather who fell in love with her ever since he found out that Chris’ baby was a she.
Once she reaches him, she smothers him as best as she could with a hug and a kiss. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. It’s good to see you too!” My dad squeezes her tight like he used to do with me as a kid. The man loves hard and he won’t change.
Just like the day she was born, he disintegrates at the sight of this little blessing in our family. Even though my dad has a crazy busy schedule, he always makes time for her.
“What did you get me?” She peers up at her grandfather, who rolls his head back and laughs at her.
“Taylor!” Danielle bursts in through the door with a few beach towels in her hands.
“You’re just like your grandfather, sweetheart, aren’t you? No messing around and straight down to business!” My mom giggles. Taylor’s face lights up upon seeing her and wiggles her arms out towards her for some love. My mom lifts her out of my dad’s arms and sets her down on the tiled floor while she’s still dripping wet’.
My dad had an open wet patch on one side of his body because he was hugging her and it didn’t bother him in the slightest. He got his love from her, so he’s a happy man.
“Taylor, what did I tell you about coming into the house wet? It’s dangerous, honey, you can’t be doing that!” Danielle crouches down with a towel to dab her dry. She huffs and puffs and glares at her partner, also known as my brother, who holds sympathetic yet guilt-stricken eyes. It doesn’t stop her from shooting daggers at him.
She seems very stressed.
“I’m sorry,” Taylor whispers tenderly, looking down at her feet and feeling remorseful about knowing this rule yet still coming in. Her mom sighs and pulls her in for a hug and kiss.
“It’s okay, it’s your birthday, right? Just . . . when you do want to come in, take a towel next time or wait for Mommy or Daddy, okay? I don’t want you or your friends to slip and hurt themselves,” she coos in her ear. I always knew Danielle would be an amazing mother ever since I found out she was pregnant. I was happy for her, and she was ecstatic about having a child even if she was still really young at the time. It didn’t stop her from loving Taylor and my brother.
Taylor reaches up to hold her hand and I feel my heart clench. “I’m blaming you for getting her so excited, Roger!” She points at my dad knowingly. He shoots his hands up in surrender, making his granddaughter laugh at him. Danielle reaches in to hug him and my mom. My dad has all the time in the world for Danielle. It wasn’t always smooth sailing but everything has worked out for the better.
Chris now knows how to wear protection.
“Do you want to show everyone your cake?” she asks her mini-Danielle and Taylor nods rapidly, stretching her hand to point in the direction of the sugary goodness set on the princess themed table.
Danielle and my brother really spoil her sometimes, but I know it’s out of love for her. It’s their first and only child so far, so they can’t help it.
Our family is closer than ever due to this little girl. We were never miles apart, even though we technically were. We’re a strong family, and we’ve always been there for each other.
