Page 135 of Daddy's Pride
“You said Henry and his Daddies would check on the house.” I nearly stomped my foot but then Daddy might put me in time out when we got to the hotel and that would ruin our first day of vacation for me.
“They will.” He caught up to me and kissed my nose. “But I don’t want to leave it a mess for them to see.”
I handed him the keys and hopped into the SUV Daddy spoiled me with. “Let’s go.”
Daddy shook his head and laughed but slid into the driver’s seat. “You take away my Daddy fun when you don’t let me buckle you in.”
So, I unbuckled myself.
Daddy leaned over, redid the belt and kissed me. “Much better. You’re in charge of the radio and make sure to tell me if you need or want to stop anywhere along the way. We’re in no rush and have time to explore.”
“No, Daddy, I want to get there super-fast. We can explore on the way home. Being that this was my car, my playlists were already uploaded to the stereo system and Tay-Tay won round one.
We stopped in Hesperia, California to stretch our legs and grab a snack. I was too jazzed up to stay much longer than that. Tomorrow, we planned to be at the park when it opened at nine am, but I wanted to see the beach and our hotel room before it got too dark today.
By the time we got to the hotel, my playlists had been played out and Daddy and I were hungry. While Daddy got us checked in, I wandered around the lobby. “Da, err, Timothy, look, you can see the ocean from here!”
The lady helping Daddy winked at me as I joined them.
“I think you and your partner…?” She glanced at Daddy.
“Yes, this is my partner, Jamie.”
“Pleased to meet you, Jamie. Most restaurants around here offer room service and will even deliver kids’ meals.” This time, she winked at Daddy who thanked her as she gave him our room keys.
“I think she knows you’re my Daddy.”
“I think she does, too, sweet boy.” He tapped the card to the reader and opened the door. “Now, let’s get inside and order room service.” Daddy slid the curtains on the balcony wide open, revealing the water. “Unless you’d rather go out to eat, that is?”
“Oh my god! Squee! That’s the ocean. Like right there. I can walk into it. Daddy, can I go?”
He laughed. “Let’s get some food in us. Technically, that’s Mission Bay but we’ll go to the ocean while we’re here for sure. Sunset isn’t for another two hours, and I’d love nothing more than to sit at the water’s edge and watch it descend with you.”
Swoon. My Daddy was a master of romance.
Daddy finished ordering our food, but my eyes were glued to the water. “We’re here for the next four nights. Let’s get unpacked and change into our suits. Sound like a plan?”
“Yes, best plan ever.” I raced over to my luggage and threw it on the bed, tearing out the contents to put away. I may or may not have made a bit of a mess in the process.
“You have a lot of best-evers, my boy.”
“That’s because I have the best-ever Daddy.” I sat Sloffers on the pillow and started putting my stuff away in the dresser. “One side for Daddy and one side for shiny boy.” I hurried and changed into my suit. “Where do you want the dirty clothes put?”
“Good question. Let’s fold them and set them on the luggage rack.”
As soon as we were changed, the food came. I loved that I didn’t have to tell Daddy what to order me, he just magically knew, and it was like getting a surprise every time. We sat outside at the table and chairs on the private patio to eat. It was so perfect, not too hot and with a nice breeze.
“Mmm, nummy shrimpies. Thanks, Daddy.”
“You bet. Lemons, ketchup, and cocktail sauce for your dip, dip, dippies.”
Daddy always remembered my sauces.
“All right, my little wiggle-butt, dive in.”
After we finished dinner, Daddy and I walked down to the beach, but I only went into the water waist-deep until Daddy dove in and swam past me. We played until the sun began to set and then I curled up between Daddy’s legs to watch it on the towels he laid out for us. “This is amazing.”
“Mmm,” Daddy moaned and nibbled my neck. “Not as amazing as you.” His fingertips trailed along my chest and sent shivers through me.