Page 38 of Mr. Almost

Olivia giggles as she bounces around.

“What do you tell Daddy?” Olivia prompts.

“Oh, thank you for the dress, Daddy. I love it.”

“I’m glad. Now do you think you could get Mommy to put hers on?”

Ari turns and puts her little fists under her chin. “Will you put on the dress, Mommy, please?”

Olivia sighs as she looks at our daughter with nothing but love.

God, I love the way she looks at our child.

It’s a kick in the gut in the best possible way.

Olivia and I might not have set out to make a baby, but I couldn’t have picked a better mother for my little girl if I tried.

Olivia fake glares at me. “Fine.”

She walks over and snatches the dress off the couch before walking down the hall to Ari’s room.

“Yay!” Ari cheers.

I move closer to my daughter and sit in the chair next to her. “Are you ready to trick-or-treat?”

“I think so. Mommy told me I have to wear comfy shoes so my feet won’t hurt, but I think my dress would look better with heels.”

“I think your mommy is right and that comfy shoes are the safer option. Besides, you’re way too young for heels.”

“But they’re so pretty.” She sighs wistfully.

Looks like my daughter is a shoe girl. Good to know.

“Maybe next time,” I lie. If I have my way, she won’t be wearing a pair of heels for a long time. “Do you want a snack?”

Ari nods. “Yes, please. Maybe some fruit snacks so I don’t get it on my dress.”

“I can do that.”

I get up and grab the fruit snacks from the pantry.

“How was your day?” I ask Ari as I open the package for her.

“Thank you,” she says as she takes the snack. “It was okay.”

“Just okay?”

She nods as she chews. “Yeah, my friend Daisy wasn’t there, and I had to sit next to Booger Eater.”

“Who’s Booger Eater?”

Ari blinks. “The kid who eats boogers.”

“You don’t know his real name?” I ask, fighting back my laughter.

“Nope.”

“Good to know.”

---