“I’m good, my girl,” he told her as he sat with her on his lap. As she stared up at him, he brushed the hair back off her face. “You look tired. You should have gone to bed.”
She pouted. “But I wanted to see you. Besides, I’m too excited to sleep!”
He grinned. “Yeah? And why are you excited? Was it because I was coming home?”
“No!”
His eyes widened with mock-surprise as he placed his hand on his chest. “What? No? It wasn’t because you wanted to see me?”
“Silly Daddy! I always want to see you,” she told him, realizing her mistake. “But I’m just excited about going to Southampton tomorrow. For Christmas!” She threw her hands up into the air as he chuckled.
“I know, my girl. I was just teasing. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t be getting some sleep tonight.” He gave her a stern look. “I want you nice and rested for traveling tomorrow.”
She sighed. “I’ll try, Daddy. It’s going to be tough, though. It’s only three sleeps until Santa arrives.”
“Yes, that’s three sleeps that you still have to behave yourself, otherwise Santa might not bring you any gifts.”
“But that’s so unfair! I’ve been so good the rest of the year, I must have banked up lots of good girl points. Surely I can be a little bit naughty and still get my gifts from Santa.”
Like not telling Daddy about her upset tummy this morning.
It wasn’t really that big of a deal, right?
Well. She didn’t think so. And, hopefully, Santa didn’t think so either.
Because she really wanted these gold sparkly shoes that she’d seen. And when she’d written her letter to Santa, she’d asked him for them.
Surely, Santa would understand.
Her bladder gave an urgent signal.
Shoot. She hated having a nervous bladder. She scratched at her cheek nervously.
Gray grasped hold of her hand and drew it away from her cheek. “Is everything all right, my girl?”
Shoot. Now he was going to sense something was wrong!
“I’m just hoping that everyone likes their gifts.”
Urgh.
Idiot.
She was making things worse by lying to him.
“Of course they will.” Gray tapped her nose. “And you’ve got to keep being good. Is there anything you need to tell Daddy?”
She shook her head. Nope. She wasn’t telling him anything. And Santa would never know.
Right?
Well, she hoped not.
Because those gold, sparkly shoes were extra super-duper cute. And she really, really needed them.
“Come on, then,” Gray said. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“But the movie isn’t over yet!” she protested.
