"Daddy, Daddy!" Cynthia squealed when she spotted him outside of the school. Running late, Bill had just arrived in front of the school. He smiled and waved at his little girl. She ran as quickly as her short legs would carry her, and he reached out and scooped her up in a big hug. "Hey there, ladybug!" He hugged her tightly, swinging her in circles. "I'm sorry I'm late."
"What are you doing here, daddy? Mommy is the one to get me from school." She said with a giggle.
"Well today it's daddy's day to pick you up." He said before planting a kiss on her forehead and setting her down. They walked side by side, her small hand in his. "How was school today princess?"
"Oh it was good, daddy. Today was show and tell and Bobby Williams, who sits next to me; he brought a big green snake. It was this big!" she exclaimed spreading her hands apart, her brown eyes wide as saucers.
"Oh my goodness, really? That big, huh?" Bill said smiling and feigning surprise.
"Yes daddy!" she squealed with excitement.
"Why don't you show daddy what you brought for show and tell?"
Cynthia stopped to dig through her book bag and pulled out her favorite toy. "I brought my dolly!" She pulled out her favorite Barbie doll and handed it to her dad.
Bill laughed down at her. "Well that's a pretty dolly but not near as pretty as my Cindy." He gazed down at his daughter, his heart swelling with pride. She was smaller than the other kindergarteners but sharp as a tack. He was so proud that she had taken so well to her first year at school. Both Bill and Marie had worried how she would cope with being around strangers and away from her parents, but she never wavered, not once. They walked the few blocks home, hand in hand, giggling and talking about Cindy's new caterpillar she had adopted on the way to school that morning. She named him Henry.
"Marie?" Bill called out as he entered the house and closed the front door.
"In here!" Marie said from the bedroom. His breath immediately hitched in his chest when he caught sight of his wife modeling her new blue dress in the closet mirror. She was absolutely stunning. "What do you think?" She said smiling up at him and giving a glamorous twirl.
"Where did you get that dress? You look absolutely amazing!" He walked across the room and wrapped his arms around her.
Marie couldn't help the blush rising across her face. "I bought it from that little shop on Main Street this afternoon. It was on sale, I hope you don't mind."
Bill laughed out loud. "Of course I don't mind. Why would I mind when my wife looks so hot?" He leaned down to kiss her, taking her in his arms. "You look beautiful, baby. I don't care if the dress was on sale or not. You are worth every penny."