There were giggles all around.
Ben ordered a deluxe cookie and brownie bar to be delivered posthaste. When he hung up the phone, he peeked in on the girls. They were busy painting one another’s faces with blue, green, and pink clay. All three of them had all three colors in different places.
Avery turned from the mirror, her face covered in green. She smiled. “Girls, Ben needs a turn.”
They rushed him, their goopy hands grabbing at his arms.
He held up his hands. “Oh no. I’m fine. I’m fine.” He glanced at Savannah to find her pleading with him to play along. Being a father apparently meant being willing to humiliate yourself.
“Come on, Dad. This one says it fights aging.” She held up the green packet.
“Hey. I’m not aging.”
“Well, you’re not getting any younger,” quipped Margo.
Ben scowled at her while Avery giggled. “Come on. Let them practice on you.”
He heaved a put-upon breath. “Fine.” He dropped the toilet seat lid and sat down so he was at a level the girls could reach.
“Get him wet first.” Sophie brought a dripping washcloth to his face. She moistened his forehead and cheeks until his shirt was soaked.
“I should have put on a robe,” he muttered for only Avery to hear.
She smothered her laughter and took the washcloth from Sophie. “I’ll rinse this out. You help with the mask.”
He closed his eyes tight and tucked his lips in, afraid to talk lest he eat dirt. That was what they were smearing over his face and neck. He could smell the earthy tones along with something that made his skin tingle. Shoot, he hoped he wasn’t allergic to the ingredients.
“Is it supposed to tingle?” he got out between frozen lips.
“Yep,” Savannah quipped. There was a note of joy in her voice that he hadn’t heard since the move. Things were going well. And he owed it all to Avery.
A quick rap sounded at the door. “Room service,” the porter called.
“I’ll get it.” Ben got to his feet, making the girls back up.
They exchanged a worried look. “Your face.” Margo pointed at him.
He stuck out one hip and planted his hand into it. “I’m fabulous just the way I am.” He lifted his nose and sauntered out of the bathroom.
The giggles that followed him made the look the porter gave him totally worth it.
“If you had a daughter, you’d understand,” he tried to explain.
“I do, sir. And I won’t say a word.”
“Thank you.” Ben glanced at the golden name tag. “Henry.”
Henry made short work of setting up the rolling tray and removing the dish coverings. “I’ll be back to pick this up.”
“I’ll put in the hall when we’re done.” Ben fished a fifty out of his pajama pocket and handed it over with a firm handshake.
“Very good, sir.”
The girls trickled out of the bathroom, their faces freshly washed. “I smell sprinkles,” said Sophie.
Ben laughed. “How do you smell sprinkles?”
“I have a gift.”
