Turning away from the mirror, she crossed the room to the bed and studied the pile of toys situated there. How was she supposed to choose who got to spend the day with her, snuggled up with Daddy and watching her favorite movies?
Then again, Daddy hadn’t given her a limit on how many friends could join them for the movie. So maybe she didn’t have to choose.
Pleased with herself for finding the loophole in his instructions, she scooped up as many of her friends as she could carry and marched into the living room to arrange them on the couch. Armful by armful, she moved every stuffie she had into the living room, leaving just enough space for her and Daddy on the couch, with the others scattered around the room.
“All right, baby, breakfast is—” Stopping short, Daddy looked from the mass of stuffies to her and back again, a smile curving his lips. “Didn’t want to leave anyone out, huh?”
Pride welled in her chest as she grinned up at him and nodded. “Wealllove Marvel, so it didn’t seem fair for some of them to miss out.”
“Makes sense. But breakfast first, then movies. Come on, babygirl.”
“Aw, butDaddy.” She let her voice pitch up to a needling whine she usually never indulged in. “Can we watch while we eat? Please, Daddy?”
Daddy paused, clearly thinking over her request. “Do you promise to be very careful and not make a mess?”
Somewhere in the back of her mind, Big Samantha scoffed.Of course I won’t make a mess. I’m forty years old.
But if she was being honest, it was a fair question. Little Sammie wasn’t nearly as careful with things, especially when she was excited.
So she nodded solemnly in response. “Yes, Daddy. I promise.”
“All right. But if you aren’t careful, then we will be eating lunch and dinner at the kitchen table like usual. Have a seat and Daddy will bring you breakfast.”
“Yay!” Hurrying over to the couch, she sandwiched herself in between Doc Ock and Roy to wait for Daddy.
“Breakfast is served.” A wide grin stretched across Daddy’s face as he returned to the living room to place a tray across her lap.
“Spider-Man!” An excited squeal burst out of her, and she was far too deep in her Little space to even care as she took in the Spider-Man plate and sippy cup in front of her. “Thank you, Daddy!”
“You’re welcome, baby. I’ll be right back with my breakfast and then we can start the movie.”
Picking up a piece of bacon, she munched happily as she waited for him to return. Which he did, as promised, and he turned on the very first Ironman movie.
She thought this might actually be heaven, watching movies with her Daddy while eating the breakfast he cooked, and not having to worry about a single thing.
“You need to eat your fruit, baby.”
Glancing down at the cut-up strawberries on her plate, she shook her head. “Not hungry.”
“Samantha. Look at me, please.”
Uh-oh. She knew that voice. That was the voice that said she was about to get a spankin’.
Ignoring the squirmy feeling in her tummy, she shook her head. “Can’t, Daddy. I’m watchin’ a movie.”
On the tv, Tony Stark froze mid-air. “Samantha Kay. Look at Daddy, right now.”
Biting back a sigh she knew would only get her in more trouble, she turned her head to look over at him. “Yes, Daddy?”
“Are you being honest with me about not being hungry?”
“Um, well, I’m notsuperhungry. I had a big breakfast.”
“All right. I’ll save your strawberries for lunch, then. But no sweet treats between now and lunch.”
“ButDaddy!”
Rising from the couch, he shook his head and reached for her plate. “Those are the rules. Little girls who don’t eat their fruits and veggies don’t get sweet treats.”
