“Up you get, let’s set this one down to prop you up higher.”
“Daddy, I’m fine.”
He gave her a firm look. “Up. Now. Unless you want me to go searching for my old high chair. You’re so slim, you’d probably fit in it.”
Uh, no. She didn’t want that.
She hastily stood and he set down the other pillow. “That’s better. Sit there, little one, and Daddy will be back soon with dinner.”
It didn’t take long until he returned with two plates filled with steaming brown rice, stir-fried vegetables and thin slices of beef. Her tummy growled at the delicious smells.
“Your dad’s cook again?”
He grinned as he set down both plates. “I’m afraid if I tried to cook for you, I’d just make you more ill.”
He pulled off the towel that had been lying on his arm, then he moved behind her. What was he doing? She startled in surprise and he placed the towel over her chest and fastened it behind her neck.
Umm. . .what the heck?
“What’s this?”
“Well, I don’t have any bibs so, this will have to do. Sorry, it’s not prettier, baby.”
“I don’t need a bib, though, Daddy.”
He sat back in his chair, which was at the head of the table. She sat to his right. “We’ll see. Little girls often don’t realize how messy they can be.”
Well, she wasn’t messy. But she just reached for her fork without any more argument. Only to realize that she didn’t have one. She tried to push her chair back. But with the two pillows making her sit higher only the tips of her toes reached the floor. She started wiggling her way free, wincing as her bottom complained at the movement.
“What are you doing, baby girl?” Macca asked. “You need to sit still for dinner.”
“I gots to get a knife and fork.”
“You don’t need a knife and fork.” He reached across and forked up some rice and broccoli. “Daddy is going to feed you.”
Her cheeks heated. “I can do it.”
“Maybe.” He smiled. “But Daddy would really like to do this. Would that be okay?”
Well, when he put it like that how could she say no?
“Okay, Daddy.”
“Open up for the train. Choo-choo!”
She barely refrained from rolling her eyes. Really? A choo-choo train? But as he fed her, he told her stories from when he used to visit his nan and the mischief the two of them would get into.
Before she knew it, her tummy was full and her cheeks hurt from laughing.
“No more, Daddy,” she told him, turning her face away as he held up another forkful. He fed himself between bites, but he always made sure to feed her first. And when he’d figured that broccoli was her favorite while she hated carrots, he’d fed her all the broccoli and ate those disgusting carrots himself. Yuck.
“Daddy is going to clean up. Which won’t take long. I’ll refill your water bottle. Would you like to stay up for a little while and cuddle on the couch with me while we watch some TV?”
“Yes, Daddy!” She clapped her hands together excitedly.
“All right, come on and I’ll get you settled on the couch.” He led her into the living room, snagging one of the pillows, which he placed on one end of the sofa.
“Are you warm enough, baby girl?”