Page 31 of Daddy’s Little Secret

“This is so cool! We did a great job.”

“Yes, we did.” Tae high-fived me.

“Hey, what about those of us on the ladders who jumped every time you two barked out an order?” Daddy complained.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Oscar,” Tae said. “But thank you and Daddy both for helping us.” We even decorated the playground.

Instead of doing special food for after the ceremony, we decided to have a big barbeque here with all the people in town who were coming for the after-ceremony party. Food had been donated from local shops, and several people volunteered to man the barbeque and bring plenty of side dishes. Daddy and Chuck picked up the small wedding cake we’d had made this morning and actually returned with two. One for the family, and one that the baker donated to share with our party guests.

“Do we have enough time to play?” I hadn’t missed a day of playing on the playground since we finished it. Daddy made sure nothing was too high for me, and even the overhead bridges were fun.

“Sorry, Angel, we don’t, and I’d hate for you to mess up any of the decorations. Come on, Daddy has a wedding gift for you.”

“I didn’t know we were supposed to get each other gifts. I don’t have anything for you.” Now I felt like crap. Was that a normal wedding thing to do? I was so out of the loop on this stuff.

“That’s okay, Angel. This isn’t like that, not really. It’s a surprise we’ve been working on for you and now it’s finally done.”

“We?”

“Yup, the whole family had a hand in this.” He stopped outside the door to Samian’s room. “Go ahead, open it.”

Was Samian in there? Was he gonna jump out and scare the crap out of me?

“I dunno, Daddy.”

“Do you trust your Daddy?”

“More than anyone in the world. Well, Grandma not included.”

“That’s right, boy,” she hollered from behind us. When I turned around, the whole family was there, minus Samian, but he was on his way.

“Daddy, what’s going on?”

“If you don’t open the door, I will,” he fussed.

The giant sigh I let out was more dramatic than it was meant to be. “Okay.” When I opened the door, no one jumped out, but what I saw inside took my breath away. “Daddy.”

I stepped into a literal fairy tale scene. They’d turned Samian’s old room into my very own playroom. Across the walls and around the window kitties were playing. A couple were warming their tummies in the sun’s rays, another was chasing a butterfly, some were sleeping, others were climbing the trees. A big smiley sun was at the top, enjoying the silly kitties. It was the funnest room ever! “Tae, was this all you?”

“Yup.” He came over and pointed at the last corner where he’d signed it. “To my bestest bestie. Love, Tae.”

I squeezed him so tight he yelped. “Don’t break me!”

“Sorry,” I wiped my eyes, “sorry. This is so wonderful.”

“My Daddy made the shelves, and we moved all your toys in, and your Daddy added some more.” The shelves were made so it looked like the kitties were playing on top of them. They were only about four feet high, which allowed for a bigger mural, and most were full already. Daddy must’ve done a lot of sneaky shopping for his boy.

“You guys.” How could I have any tears left with all the happy crying I’d done lately. “This is the most wonderful playroom ever. Thank you.”

“Did you see the new cat tower your Daddy made for Sabrina?” He pointed it out. There was so much to take in that it’d take me days to figure it all out. “Now she can play in here with you.”

“Daddy.” I ran toward him and right into his open arms. “Thank you.”

“Not just me to thank, Angel. Uncle Chuck and Tae did most of it while we were in town working.”

“Thank you Uncle Chuck and bestest-bestie Tae.”

“You’re welcome. Grandma made your super-cute curtains.” Tae pointed to them. They had tiny kitties playing with balls of yarn all over them.