Page 126 of Daddy's Pride

“Daddy?” I wandered down the hall after I put on my swimsuit. After all, Daddy promised pool time after a nappy. “Daddy?”

“In the kitchen.”

“Hi, Daddy.” I skipped over for a hug. “Are we still swimming?”

“In a bit, birthday boy. You have one more present.”

“I do?”

“You do.” Daddy held his hand out to me. “Ready?”

“Yes?”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

Was I? “I trust you, Daddy.”

“Good enough for me.”

We walked back down the hall but instead of going to our room we stopped in front of the guest room. “Open the door.”

“Surprise!”

I jumped back, thankful Daddy was there to keep me from falling.

“Happy birthday, Jamie!” Henry hugged me. “Did we scare you?”

“Little bit.”

“Casey, Mitchell, let’s give Jamie some space so he can check out his new playroom,” Daddy Jensen said.

As they walked past each wished me a happy birthday. I had a birthday party of my own, my first.

“Hi, Chase.”

“Happy birthday, cool room.”

“Thank you.”

Chase looked scared but Henry and I would make him feel better.

“Daddy, you made this for me?” I spun around the room. The ceiling was covered in clouds and stars someone had painted. There was a big one in the middle with “Daddy’s Shiny Star” around it in fun letters. They must’ve been really tall to reach that high.

“I did. Does Daddy’s Shiny Star like it?”

“Daddy!” I cried for the second time today while he held me. “No one’s ever thrown me a party and now I have my own room and my own friends, and everybody is here.”

“That’s ‘cause we love you.” Henry hugged me from behind since Daddy had my front.

“Look at all the animals, Daddy. You even have Sloffers, Kiki, George, and Patty on the walls.” I pointed all around, pointing at so many animals my finger didn’t know where to stop. “And Kiki’s on a big tree! George is so tall he reaches her without standing on his tippy toes. Think he lifted her up there?”

“Probably.” Daddy smiled. “That’s what friends are for, to lift you up.” Daddy was so smart, he knew everything.

The shelves were filled with toys and stuffies and there was even a huge jungle rug on the floor. Books lined the shelves, waiting for Daddy to read them to me.

“Your bed has a giant puppy paw on it.” Henry pointed at it.

There were so many prezzies I didn’t know where to start. I wanted to play with everything all at once.