by Lena Little
“Speech! Speech! Speech!” the crowd chants playfully.
I take a step forward to say a few words, but I feel Camila’s hand dart out in front of my midsection. “I got this one,” she winks.
Lifting both hands in mock surrender I step back, giving her the spotlight…which is exactly where she belongs.
“First of all, thank you all for coming. As my husband and I both know it’s not easy growing up without a mother…or a daddy,” she begins, and I swallow hard, knowing she’s throwing me an inside joke right here in front of all these business leaders and people from the community. “Sometimes life puts obstacles in your way that would be much easier to climb if you just had someone with a little more experience guiding you…someone who’s been there and done that. And that’s why my husband and I created Kids Care. We want kids to know we care about them, and if they need a place to go just to get a set of ears, so they can get what’s bothering them off their chest, we’re here for them. Of course, we want to offer so much more, but we want kids to find us on their terms. We don’t want to push and pry, and we also don’t want to be available only sometimes. That’s why we have counselors on-site twenty-four hours, including Carter and I. We’ll work the desks just like everyone else as we think our backgrounds growing up alone can help us relate.” She pauses, her bottom lip suddenly quivering. “Not only that, but I’d like to share a quick story with you all. See, there was something that hurt me very much in high school and it caused a shy girl to close up even more. I thought my brattiness was pretty cool, but really it was just a defense mechanism to keep from ever putting myself out there, from putting my heart on the line for anyone. Well, Carter showed me that I can trust others, and am I ever glad I did, because when I found my ability to trust, I found true love.”
I’ve never cried in all my life, but right now there’s definitely a ‘gnat’ or some small bug that’s found its way into my eye. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
“And we’re both dedicating the rest of our lives to make sure kids know just how valuable they are to this world and the future of our planet.” She pauses. “And speaking of kids, and the fact that we love them so much, Carter and I are excited to announce we’re expecting our first, in six months’ time.”
“Whoa! Congratulations, buddy,” I hear as those surrounding me pat me on the back, but I’m just frozen, in shock.
“We are?” I mouth, as Camila turns and looks at me.
She just places her hand on her perfect tummy and nods. “I love you,” she mouths back.
“I love you too, baby girl.”
Like a true professional, my angel uses the applause from the crowd as a cue to step back from the mic. Always leave them wanting more they say, and despite all the love she gives me that’s exactly how I always feel.
I just can’t get enough of my little one…and now we have another kind of little one on the way.
Who woulda thought that when she was hired to clean my house in reality she would have cleaned up my entire life, showing me the true meaning of life, and in the process turned my gigantic house into a loving home, where no matter the square footage, we always feel cozy inside because we’re always inside together.
And that’s what life’s all about. Together. Just like the foundation we’re christening today…together. And just like our first child, we’ll be welcoming into the world…together.
“Family first,” she whispers into my ear, repeating the mantra Daddy always says.
I wrap her up in a hug and spin her around before carefully helping her feet back down to the earth. “Family first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and always.”
“Did you say you want five children just now?” she teases.
“When it comes to you, I want everything.”
“Well, then you’re in luck, Daddy. Because you’ve got all of me.”
“Just like you’ve got all of me, my queen. I love you.”
“I love you.”
Extended Epilogue
Camila
Fifteen years later
Carter stacks the last of the paddleboards next to our table in the sand in Antiparos, Greece, and then joins us for lunch.
“How’d you like it, kids?”
“Amazing,” Caleb says,
“Great, dad!” Caroline adds.
Cameron, Carson, and Callie seem stunned as they open their menus. “This looks Greek to me,” Callie says, unaware she’s touched on an age-old joke for seeing letters and words that one can’t make out.
“You can’t go wrong with the octopus,” the waiter recommends.
“Octopus?”
“Octo, an Ancient Greek word for eight, as in eight arms, not tentacles, as it’s commonly thought.”
“Come for the amazing beaches, stay for the history lesson.”
“That’s what Tom Hanks did in July 2020 after thirty-two years,” the waiter adds.
“Come again?” I ask.
“He and his wife became Greek citizens after visiting the country for over three decades, most frequently coming right here to Antiparos. Hanks’s wife, Rita Wilson, is Greek, so it makes sense.”
“Octopus it is,” I say and the waiter scurries off.
“What does octopus taste like?” Caleb asks.
“Chicken,” I joke. “Everything in the world does pretty much, especially these days.” But then again, that’s not true. There’s just something about being out here in the Aegean eating this Mediterranean diet that cleanses the body and the soul. But I know why I’m really on cloud nine and it’s not just because of the food.
It’s them. My family.
Carter planned out the entire vacation. We’ve been paddle boarding almost every day, riding horses, taking long naps, catching sunsets, and enjoying the most amazing olive oils, bread, yogurts, and gyros I’ve ever tasted.
And just like the pronunciation of ‘gyro’, Carter truly is my hero.
Over the last decade and a half, his firm hand has guided me through so many parts of life, and I’ve come to truly appreciate what it means to have a Daddy. And I know our kids are just as proud of their daddy too, although in a different way of course.
For me, there’s nothing better when you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you can come home and have an older, experienced, man there to listen to your every word without trying to correct or offer solutions right away. Just listen. That’s the kind of experience, wisdom, and emotional intelligence you can’t teach. And speaking of teaching, Carter shares wisdom with our five kids each and every day, guiding them just like he guides me. And when they’re bratty he disciplines them, although in a much different way than he disciplines me when I admittedly get out of line from time to time. Although I won’t admit if it’s intentional or not.
After a cool glass of Greek yogurt underneath the shade of pink and purple bougainvilleas and shadowy eucalyptus trees, we make our way through the narrow cobbled stone alleys and streets, back to our white-washed home for the week, with the sea-blue shutters.
“Why do we ever leave this place?” I ask as I throw myself in his arms.
“Better schools for the kids and all their friends. Plus our foundation,” he reminds me.
“I know, but sometimes I just wish we could stay here forever. It is paradise after all.”
“I’ve been in paradise every day for the last fifteen years of my life,” he quickly adds. My head rises up from his chest and I can’t help but smile. “Because I have you.”
“Even after five kids you still find me attractive.”
“My appetite for you is insatiable,” he says, shutting the door to our room as we both know our kids are already in their rooms and passed out, just like they have been each afternoon after these amazing meals. “But somehow it seems to grow even more so each and every year,” he says, pulling my sarong up and over my head.
“You lie,” I protest, but in all honesty, I’m not about to complain.
“
I’m telling the truth. Woman, knowing that you’ve carried five children in that body turns me on more than you could ever imagine. You’re the matriarch of everything we have, my Athena, and I love you now more than ever. And the only lying that’s going on in this room right now is you on your back, so Daddy can have his way with you…little girl.”
He had to go there, and am I ever glad he did.
“Am I in trouble for accusing Daddy of fibbing?” I say, quickly sliding into the role play that makes our relationship so amazing.
“You’re always in trouble, young lady. Now face down on the bed, ass out. Daddy needs to punish you.”
“But won’t other people hear?”
“We’re going to play the silent game.”
“But how can we be silent if you’re spanking me, Daddy?”
“Who said anything about spanking you. Daddy’s going to put two fingers in your mouth and something thicker and longer into your private place.”
“Daddy!” I fake protest.
“Do as you’re told young lady or Daddy will have to do it himself.”
“Promise?” I wink.
And just like that, he grabs me playfully, pinning my arms behind my back and forces me down onto the bed.
“Little girls that don’t listen have to learn the consequences,” he whispers into my ear as he moves my swimsuit to the side.
“I promise to be a bad girl then,” I quip. We both pause, laughing at my reply.
“I love your sense of humor, little one.”
“I love that you love my jokes, Daddy.”
“But you’re still in trouble,” he says, sliding his thick inches inside me and taking my breath away.
“And just like I said, this body is perfect.”
“I need to lay off that fattening yogurt.”
“You need to eat more,” he growls.
“Why would you say that?”
“Padding.”
“Padding. For what?”
“This,” he says quickly, slamming into me from behind with reckless abandon. At thirty-three years old my hormones are as wild as they’ve ever been and Daddy’s rough play is more than welcome. Partly because I love it so much, and partly because I know what comes after.
Aftercare. Where he holds me and tells me how much he loves me and how beautiful I am, usually while combing my hair.
And that’s the best part. With him, I get the best of all worlds, no matter where in the world we find ourselves.
But one thing is for certain. Wherever he is, and our kids are, is home. Because home isn’t where you hang your hat, home is where your heart is and mine belongs to him.
Always.
“I love you, baby girl.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
THE END
~~~
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Also by Lena Little
Yes, Daddy Series
Book 1: Daddy Next Door
Book 2: Bossy Daddy
Book 3: Paying Daddy’s Debt
Book 4: Daddy’s Halloween
Book 5: Daddy’s Italian Friend
Book 6: Russian Teacher
Book 7: Daddy’s Housekeeper (this book)
