“Toys,” I cheer as I spin in a circle to look around.
“Point out everything you want. There’s no such thing as too much. I’ll bag it all up and tote it to the car in multiple trips if I need to.”
When I don’t immediately move, Daddy walks me to a display of toys. They’re all stuffed animals in various sizes. I spot three I want to add to my collection right away.
“I bet I can guess which of these you like best, Eddie Baby.”
“Bet?”
He hums. “Yes, a bet. Just like I do with the big you, Little Eddie can join the fun. Know what I want if I win?”
“What, Daddy?”
“I want a kiss.”
My mouth falls open. “A kiss.”
His arms wrap around me, pulling me to his chest. I’ve always liked how he’s bigger than I am. I used to picture us in this exact pose because I knew I’d feel so safe and cared for.
Past me was absolutely right.
“Yes, Eddie Baby. I want a kiss for my prize. Do we have a deal?”
“What I get?” I ask instead of agreeing.
Little me isn’t completely in charge right now. I’m in limbo. There’s too much about this that affects everything in my life. I don’t think I could be one or the other even if I wanted to.
One of the arms around me loosens. Daddy’s hand moves up until he’s got a hold of my chin. The grip he uses forces my eyes to stay on his.
“You can have anything you want. Anything, you hear me?”
I suck in a deep breath as I try to calm my heart. “I want Daddy.”
His expression doesn’t change one bit at my words. If anything, it’s like he knew what I’d say. I’d doubt it if he were anyone else. As my best friend, he probably did guess. Just like he’ll probably get the answer right.
Before I can stop him, he nods and tucks me in front of him so we’re facing the stuffies. “I know you well enough to guess there isn’t just one you like. I’m right so far, aren’t I?”
“Yes,” I whisper softly as I relax in his hold.
He feels so good like this. His big body behind me, protecting me and caring for me. It’s like a dream come true.
Daddy hums. “If I had to choose, I’d say you have three favorites. The turtle, this lamb, and the hippo tucked under that elephant.”
My jaw drops open, and I spin around. “How did you do that? The hippo is barely visible!”
I want to stomp my foot at how insane this all is. I mean, sure, I knew he knew me well. But this feels like he cheated somehow.
If I were on the outside looking in, I’d see Little me is simply throwing a fit for losing. Since I don’t have magical abilities though, I’m stuck in this state of bratty-ness despite wanting to also throw my arms around Daddy’s neck and kiss him silly for being able to read my mind.
Rather than get mad at my outburst, the man before me grins even wider than before. “I told you, Eddie Baby. I know you inside and out. You’ve been obsessed with sea turtles since we watched that documentary years ago. We went to dinner once,and you cried when you saw lamb on the menu because we’d just watched Babe before going out. And the hippo, well, you didn’t really give me a reason for that one other than I know how you notice even the smallest details at times, so you’d have probably felt bad that he was hidden and wanted to bring him home to be loved on.”
There are no words to describe the level of emotions running through me at his speech. If there were, I doubt I’d even be able to say them.
“That’s… you… how?” As it stands, it seems I can’t speak much at all.
I’m too astonished, too perplexed. How can he read me so damn well?
He leans closer, his face hovering over mine. “Like I said, I know you, Eddie Baby. Long before you were mine this way, I’ve watched and observed you. Maybe even obsessed over you a bit if I’m honest. Now, before I ravish you in this store and scar these sweet animals, let’s pick out your toys and get home.”
