Page 19 of Discovering Daisy

He didn’t bother putting the pink baby doll dress she’d picked to wear that day on her before he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the chair that rested in the corner.

He sat with her positioned atop his lap. He held her close, gently rocking her, and giving the top of her head tender kisses.

“What do you want to do today, honey?”

“I have to work,” she said.

“Of course,” he said. “Would it bother you if I hang out in the shop?”

“No! Daddy, stay with me all day!” she said. She giggled and then said, in a less excited tone, “But I don’t want you to get bored. You should probably go off and do your own thing.”

“Nah. I won’t be bored.” He kissed her again. “What do you want to do after work?”

“All the Little stuff!” she said, kicking her legs in excitement.

He grinned, giving her more kisses, before saying, “Okay, honey. We’ll doallthe Little stuff. But I better change your diaper and get you dressed. You don’t want to be late.”

She sighed wistfully.

Could this day get any better?

***

“I guess this is a good problem to have,” she said, looking at the bare store.

It had only been open three hours that day. But already, she’d sold out of her entire stock. She’d texted Captain Reagan and was awaiting his instructions.

A moment later, he came in.

“Good job, Little Daisy! I’m so proud of you,” he said.

The greeting surprised her. “You aren’t upset?”

“Upset? I’m happy for you. This proves what Nelly and I have known all along: your creations are amazing! We’re setting up a workstation for you to make more. Our tech crew is supposedly hooking up that 3D printer sometime today. I saysupposedlybecause on a ship this size, issues always pop up. But they might just have it setup by tonight. It probably won’t be online until tomorrow though.”

“What would you like me to do until then, sir?”

“I’m glad you asked. I have a very important job for you. Do you think you can handle it?”

“Yes, sir,” she said. “What is it?”

The captain grinned. “Go have fun.”

***

Little Daisy was all smiles as Daddy pushed her around the deck in an adult-sized stroller.

“Do you see what I see?” Wyatt asked her.

“A ball pit!” she said.

It looked much like the swimming pools on the ship, only it was a little smaller and filled with colorful, plastic orbs. There was even a clear, winding tunnel slide that let riders fly into the pit, as well as a tall platform with a rope, allowing Littles to swing like Tarzan.

Littles were laughing as they jumped in and swam around, the balls clacking loudly as they shifted.

“Maybe you’ll make some new friends,” Wyatt said.

He parked the stroller, lifted her out, gave her a hug and kiss, then patted her bottom as he sent her toward the play area.

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