My hand shakes as I try to shove my ticket into the barrier machine at the station, and I bite my lip, forgetting momentarily that I had applied red lipstick on the train. On the third try, the slot accepts it and I sigh as the doors open, stepping through quickly as I flush slightly, aware I was holding up a queue.
I keep my head down, as always, avoiding eye contact with anyone as I make my way to the doors. I look up briefly, accidentally kicking myself in the heel as I see you. Your hair is long, and your beard less neat, and though I know I'm a mess from my travels, your attention is still fixed on me with a smile. You move to step towards me, but are halted in your tracks as I barrel into you, hugging you tightly and burying my face in your neck. I can feel myself start to tear up, and I press my face closer to you, flushing harder as I feel my usual awkwardness rising to meet the inevitable tears.
"Hi," I mumble into you, smiling as I feel you laugh, your hands wrapping around me in return. You smell different now, no more stale cigarettes, but still a leather scent I hadn't realised I missed. Your beard tickles my nose, and I withdraw my head, wrinkling my face. I try to avoid your gaze as I know the wetness in my eyes will be evident, but you kiss me on the forehead and still hold me close.
"Hello Princess," you reply, and give me one last squeeze before grabbing the handle of my bag and turning for the car park, "come on, better get you home."
I follow automatically, protesting weakly that I can manage my own bags, but one look from you silences me. We reach your car, and I hop into the passenger side, banging my knee on the dash somehow in the process. You hear the thunk and sigh, shaking your head at my perpetual clumsiness as I get even redder.
We slip into comfortable chat as you drive to my house, updating each other on the day's events, but as we get closer to our destination, I get a little quieter.
"What's up, Princess?" You ask, as we pull up outside the door. I look down at my hands, twiddling my thumbs before quietly saying, "Uhmmmm...are you going to come in, Daddy?"
You stare at me for a moment, a look of disbelief on your face.