“Just think of it as another way you can reach your Daddy any time you want to.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” He pulled the Apple watch from the box. “Can you help me set it up?”
“I sure can, where’s your phone?” He slid it from his pocket and handed it over, then started playing with his toys. Mom, being the mother that she was, picked up the paper and set the bags aside for him. “Beck, why don’t you show them your new Build-A-Bear’s.”
“Yes! I almost forgot.” He ran to our room and was back in seconds with both boxes. “I still have to name them. Maybe you can help me?” Having parents did amazing things for my boy. If he overused calling them Mom and Dad, no one noticed, and every time he said those two words his eyes lit up.
Back and forth they went over names, finally settling on Lavendar for the bunny, not very creative but they were happy. And Froggy, again, not a stretch. But they were having a great time and were now setting up his terrarium.
Glancing around the room, I realized just how lucky I was. Not only to be brought up in such a loving household, but to have the perfect partner for me and the ideal son-in-law for my parents.
Fate truly worked in mysterious ways.
“Daddy, how long is it until we get to the beach?”
“It’s a two-hour drive, Bunny.” I honked the horn and we waved to my parents as we pulled out of their driveway. “Did you have fun?”
“Yes. I love visiting our family. I can’t wait to spend the holidays in Aruba with them.”
“Is that all you’re excited for in Aruba?” I tsked.
Had I not been driving I’d have tickled him for that dramatic eyeroll. “Of course not, silly Daddy. I’m excited for the wedding and the I dos and the forever love.”
“Forever love, huh. Alright, alright, I see how you are.” I turned up the radio, immediately triggering his dancing queen side. The drive to Laguna Beach flew by watching him act out the words and dance while trapped beneath the seatbelt. Drew a few smiles from passersby, but he didn’t care. He was in his element and was one very happy boy.
Pure entertainment.
“Daddy! Daddy! I can see the ocean.”
I’d purposely driven the long way so he could get a glimpse before we pulled into the hotel. It was a bit pricey, but the views were amazing and I knew Beck would love it.
“I see it. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Oh my gosh, yes. I can’t wait to dip my toes in the water.”
“Just remember, even though it’s summer, it’ll still be chilly, but the sand will be toasty warm.”
“’Kay.”
As we pulled up, a bellman came right over with a cart. “Checking in, sirs?”
“Yes, and I’m glad you have a cart. We’ve somehow accumulated quite a bit of stuff along the way,” I winked at Beck and he giggled. Beck kept his backpack on, but the rest went on the trolley. The bellman waited to the side while I got us checked in, then followed us up on the elevator to our room. As soon as we stepped inside Beck ran straight for the wall of windows and whipped the curtains back.
“Oh. My. Gawd. The ocean is right there!” he squealed.
I thanked the bellman and tipped him then joined my boy. “Did you know blue is Daddy’s favorite color?”
“Like my eyes?”
“Exactly like your eyes. Let’s get settled in then head down to the beach. Sound like a plan?”
While I put our clothes away, Beck got his stuffies tucked in. “What you’re wearing is perfect for today while we walk around and check out the places around us. You can take off your flippies as soon as we reach the sand. Tomorrow we can spend the whole day on the beach. How does that sound?”
“Yay!” He hopped over and gave my cheek a big smacky kiss. “Thank you, Daddy. This has been the best birthday ever.”
“You have a lot of bests, Bunny.”
“That’s because I won the Daddy lottery.”
