“Okay, let’s do this. Go to your house and get ready, and I’ll come pick you up in a few minutes.”
“It takes me more than a few minutes to look beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful as you are. I’ll be over in about forty-five minutes. Will that be enough time?”
“I’ll make it work. I’ll see you soon, Daddy!” she said, quickly giving me a kiss before turning and dashing out the door, taking my blanket with her. Seemed like I wouldn’t ever get that blanket back, but I was okay with that. It never looked better than it did wrapped around her.
Who knewthat forty-five minutes could pass so slowly? I thought time had frozen, and I couldn’t wait to finally have my girl back in my arms.
Trying to kill a little more time, I pulled out my phone and opened my messages to the guys.
Beau: I hope you are all enjoying your day off. I don’t want to see any of you in the office until tomorrow afternoon.
Josh: Who is this?
Patrick: Right, Josh. Cause there’s no way that our boss just said to not be at work until noon tomorrow.
Matt: I mean, if I had a sweet neighbor to watch over, I wouldn’t want to leave my house any sooner than needed.
I hated these men sometimes. They were the most annoying guys ever, but I also loved and cherished each one of them.
Beau: Okay, smart asses. Make fun all you want.
Seth: Did you finally make her yours? Do we get to stop hearing your growls around the office each time one of us gets too close?
Chase: IDK, Seth. I don’t think that’s ever going to stop.
Eric: Guys, guys. Leave the man alone. He’s in luuuuuveeeeee
Zach: Beau and Bex sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Beau: Assholes. Each and every one of you.
Glancing at the clock again, forty-five minutes had passed, and I could go pick up Rebekah. After sending a middle finger emoji to the group chat, I close it out and slip my phone intomy pocket. With my keys in my hand, I jumped in the truck and backed out of my driveway and into hers.
I knocked on the door and waited somewhat patiently for Rebekah to answer it. I was relieved that she made sure to peek out the window before she opened the door. Thrilled, I took in the vision standing in front of me.
Dressed in pink sparkly jeans and another tie-dyed off-the-shoulder top, Rebekah looked adorable. She had pulled her curly hair into a half-updo and put a pink bow in her hair. I offered her my arm after she locked up before helping her into the truck and turning toward the mall.
Rebekah leaned forward and fiddled with the radio as she found the station she was looking for. I spent the next thirty minutes listening to her sing at the top of her lungs at every song that played. It made for an entertaining ride for sure.
After parking the truck, I rounded the front and made my way toward her side to help her climb down. Hand in hand, we walked inside the mall, ready to spend the next few hours shopping until her heart was content.
“CanI really get this one, too?”
I looked at where Rebekah pointed at the Legos in front of her. We had slowly made our way around the mall for the past hour, just window shopping. When she squealed after seeing the Legos store, I knew we were going to have to go in.
Looking down at the small collection of Legos she had already placed in my hand, I mentally calculated what her total was already at. I hadn’t set a limit for her, and honestly, none of what we had spent today was going to break the bank.
“Sure, Sweets, but that’s the last one for now. It’s going to take you a little while to build what you have already here.”
Rebekah jumped up and down and grabbed the Disney castle from the shelf. I slipped the big box under my arm and directed my Little brat to the checkout counter before she could get distracted again and add another item to her already growing pile.
“$487.53 is your total today, sir.”
There was a very small gasp beside me, so low that I barely heard it over the hustle and bustle of the store. I took out my wallet and handed over my card, turning to look at Rebekah just as she started picking at her fingers.
Placing my hands over hers, I finished paying, collected the handles of the massive bag of goodies, and directed her out of the store.
