Page 52 of Love's Instant Replay
“Alright, Cupcake. Good night, and don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
“Good night. I love you, Ms. Kyelle.”
“I love you more.”
My eyes water at the exchange between Mica and Kyelle as I quickly turn to wipe away the lone tear slipping from my right eye. I have never experienced anything more beautiful than this moment. Loving me is one thing, but loving my child has me ready to give Kyelle the world.
“I love you too, Daddy. Good night,” Mica says, and I suck up the emotions welling within me and turn back toward them.
“I love you, Cupcake. Best of sleep. Good night.”
Kyelle smiles, walking toward me, and I fight my reaction in front of my baby as heat crawls up my neck the closer Kyelle gets to me. Extending my hand, my lips upturn when Kyelle slips herhand inside mine. With one final glance at Mica, I lead Kyelle out of the room before pulling the door closed.
“I hope you know I’m kidnapping you for the night.”
Kyelle came over after her workday ended, but I didn’t let her know what my plans were for her. Today’s practice and this week’s game prep ran later than expected, so Kyelle had prepared and fed Mica dinner by the time I got here. While Kyelle and I handled Mica’s bedtime routine, Jaleel has been putting the finishing touches on what I’m hoping will be a memorable evening.
“Oh. Are you? What if I don’t want to spend the night? I don’t even have a spinnanight bag with me for this forced stay you’re attempting.”
“I got everything you need, my baby.”
“Let me find out you stole some of my clothes when you were at my house.”
Low laughter escaped my mouth, vibrating through my body upon seeing Kyelle’s hiked brows and pouty lips when she halted our steps to look at me.
“You’re about to find out. Come on, I’ve got plans for us.”
Alright, my baby… I’ve planned something memorable for you.
There are clues hidden and at the end, there will be a special gift tailored just for you.
To start, the first clue is where I keep a spice or two!
“Ooh, this is gonna be fun,” Kyelle says after reading the card and heading toward the kitchen with me following behind her.
I have never done anything like this, but a few of my teammates put me up on game, and I thought it would be an excellent idea for Kyelle and me.
“Oooh, I found it. Let’s see what’s next,” Kyelle says, smiling after opening the spice cupboard and grabbing the next clue.
Damn, you found me. Now go to the place where things get lost.
We like to sit in front of this while coloring with Cupcake.
Wordlessly, Kyelle grins before speedwalking toward the living room as I laugh at the back-and-forth motion in her arms as she heads to the next destination. My heart rate is increasing as my eyes stretch with open amusement at Kyelle’s merriment. A boisterous laugh falls from my lips when Kyelle charges the couch in the living room, flipping over the pillows until another clue surfaces.
“I’m good at this,” she says before reading the next clue.
I might be making this too easy or you’re that smart… I’ll take smart as a…
The next clue is in the garage.
“Oh my God! Did you buy me a—” Kyelle’s eyes stretch wider than saucers as she runs toward the door for my attached garage.
More laughter escapes me because my poor baby is about to be so disappointed.
“What? Where’s the bow? These are the same vehicles that are always here.” Kyelle groans after looking in the garage and seeing my usual vehicles. “Hm. I don’t even know if I want this next clue.” Pouting, Kyelle walks to the car where the next clue is sitting on the hood.
Gotcha! The previous clue said I’d take smart as a… whip, but I never said I was gifting you one.
