Page 40 of Daddies' Little Cubs

Jackson could tell that he shocked Emmett with his candor, but he meant every word that he said. It makes his heart happy, not only as a friend but also as a Papa, that the girls have someone in their corner who is willing to go to the ends of the world making sure they are okay. Jackson and Eli are in their corner now, as well, but knowing there was other support people there makes a huge difference.

“Okay, yeah. You’re welcome, man. Those girls, along with my wife, are my world and I won’t let anyone cause any harm to them.”

“I understand Emmett and if I ever do cause harm to them, I would expect you to step in and stand up for them.”

“Daddy to Daddy, can I ask what she did wrong?” Emmett chucked out.

“Little brat was trying to justify her breaking a direction based on a technicality.”

“Ah! Seems like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree because Raelyn has done the same thing a time or two in the past. Never worked out for her, either.”

Jackson laughed, shaking his head. Knowing Rae and the antics that she tries to get out of, he knew he could expect the same from the twins. At first Jackson pegged Jessa as the twin who would be sassy and push things, but Destiny has shown that she can be just as sassy and pushy as her sister. He loved that they felt safe and comfortable enough to do so.

Slapping Emmett on the back, he made his way towards where Jessa was waiting not so patiently and ushered her outside to the car. He had barely sat in the driver seat when his Little asked again where they were going. What was he going to do with her?

“I told you, it’s a surprise! You don’t really want me to tell you that and ruin the surprise that I worked so hard to come up with.” He heard her sigh and knew that he hit the nail on the head. Dropping the conversation for now, Jackson sat back and enjoyed listening to Jessa singing in his passenger seat. Did she sound like a drowning cat? Absolutely, but he enjoyed every second of it.

Jackson planned a bowling date for them, it seemed to be a hit if the squeal that Jessa let out was anything to go by when they pulled into the parking lot.

“OH MY GOD, I’M SO EXCITED! I LOVE BOWLING!”

Chuckling, he got out of the car and walked around to help her, “A few things, Little one before we go inside.” Biting back the grin at her dramatic sigh, Jackson continued. “Hold my hand when walking in the parking lot. No wandering away, Papaneeds to be able to see you at all times. Have fun! Do you think you can handle following those directions?”

“Yes, Sir! I can do that! I don’t want a repeat of this morning.”

“Me neither, Little Bear, now come on. Let’s go play. I promise to take it easy on you.”

“Oh, you don’t need to do that! I want us both to play our best!”

Jackson leaned down, pressing a kiss against her lips before leading them to the entrance. After grabbing their shoes and picking a bowling ball, they prepared the lane for their first game. He knows that she said to play his best, but he didn’t want to crush his Little girl when he won the games.

“Are you ready, Papa?”

“What did you say?”

“I asked if you were ready, silly. Can I go first?”

“You called me Papa again,” He stated after a moment. Jackson figured she slipped at the house and didn’t mean to say it. His heart soared to hear her say it again.

“I did? Well, you are my Papa, right?”

“Yes, Little Bear, that’s right. I’m your Papa.”

“Sooooo about my question. Can I go first?” Jessa sweetly asked him as if her calling him Papa was an everyday occurrence.

“Yes, baby girl, you can go first.” Just like that the moment was over, but the warmth he felt didn’t dissipate. Jackson hoped that it never would. He watched her step up and prepare to throw the ball. His eyes widened that her first frame was a strike. Jackson was calling it beginners luck and focused on giving it his best, just like Jessa asked him to.

Jackson stood in astonishment.There was no way he was just out played by his Little. Wiping his eyes and contemplating putting on his reading glasses, Jackson looked at the scoreboard again.

Jessa: 168

Jackson: 118

The Little minx out played him and didn’t even break a sweat! Jackson was believing that she would barely score anything and had even offered to put bumpers on for her. Little did he know he was playing with a master in disguise.

“Excuse me, Little Miss. Just how did you get so good and why did you hustle me? That’s not very nice, Jessa.”

“Well, that was a fault on you Papa for ASSUMING that I wasn’t good at bowling. You know what they say about people who assume things. That it only makes a…”

---