Page 131 of Daddy's Pride
“Wanna go home with you.”
Casey blinked a couple of times. Chase’s eyes popped open as the half-asleep words he’d uttered sank in. “Oh, um.”
“I’d love to show you my place.” Casey said as Chase got up and took his hand, “Thank you for having us today. Outside of flour-geddon, we had a great time.”
“Thank you,” Chase mumbled, cuddling the bear my sweet boy gave him. Hard to stay mad at a boy who had a heart as pure as Jamie’s.
But flour-geddon. How could I not laugh at the truth of that?
“You’re very welcome.”
Jamie didn’t stir while everyone said their goodbyes until I scooped him up. “Happy birthday, Daddy.”
“Silly boy, it’s not Daddy’s birthday. It’s yours.”
“Oh yeah.” Jamie stretched as I laid him down. “Are you mad at me, Daddy?”
“Well, I’m not thrilled about the flour fiasco, but I hope it never happens again.”
“It won’t, I promise. Are you mad about the bear?”
“Mad about the bear?”
“That I gave him to Chase? He said he didn’t have any stuffies and every boy needs a stuffie.”
“I agree. You have such a kind and loving heart. That selfless gesture nearly made me cry happy tears.”
“It made Chase really happy, too. I loved my bear but my Daddy spoils me, so I have plenty to share.”
Wasn’t it always those who had so little that always shared? The world would be a better place if we all thought that way. Now, my boy would never want again but I didn’t see the essence of who he was changing because of that.
“That you do and I’m so proud to be your Daddy. You make everyone’s world shine and that’s why you’re Daddy’s Shiny Star.”
“Shiny Star.” Jamie yawned. “I seepy, Daddy.”
“I know, sweetheart. You really need a shower, but you have noodle legs. Let me put you in your PJs and you can shower in the morning before work.” Thankfully, the hose washed away the majority of the mess.
“They’re closing my store, Daddy.”
Wait? What?
“We can talk about this in the morning when you’re more awake.”
Jamie wouldn’t be happy not working, he enjoyed peopling as he called it. Plus, it was important to him to earn his own money. But as far as I was concerned if he didn’t want to work, he didn’t have to.
“M’kay, Daddy. Love you.”
“Love you, too, birthday boy.”
Freshly changed, he rolled over and was out.
Before I even attempted to shower, inspecting the kitchen had to come first. Jensen, Mitchell, Casey, and Chase had cleaned it up well enough for the party to continue but flour had a way of sneaking into cracks and crevices naked to a quick glance.
Sure enough, the cupboard doors and the crown molding along the top had to be wiped down. I pulled the fridge out and took care of the whiteout beneath it and gave the floor a quick mop. I wonder how bakers managed their days. With flour must come magic to contain it and after this, I’d never overlook bakery staff again. A quick change of the air filter, which as expected had trapped some of it. If anyone else saw it, they would’ve thought I’d been sanding drywall mud today.
I shook my head…
Now to finally shower and relax.