Just Once

m

tightly. I hugged her back, but our moment wa

h a grin. He held his arms out and I gladly wrapped my arms aroun

s chest. "I have to finish cookin

tighter. "You have become a very beautiful, smart, and kind yo

of joy, happiness, and relief. Relief that my father believes in me. "Mommy! Daddy made Emacry!" Two little arms wrapped

I am happy. I have happy tears," I told him. He s

wards his face and he cupped my ear with his small hand. "Mommy said not to tell you, but

ir. "I am very happy now!" I exclaimed with a smi

the kitchen. When Matthew was out of the room, my father turned to me. "You and Ryan are leaving at d

of his and pulled me to the dining table. He stopped in front of a chair and starte

who we are. No one understood what she meant, so the class ended up coloring their plate however they wanted to. But I drew a crown. Th

wait to be a big girl, so you could wear your mot

ause Daddy still needed his little princess,

Matthew pouted, cutting off our nostalg

to the birthday girl." His pout was replaced with a face-splitti

o the kitchen. She held a platter filled with square chocolate waffles.

elp me?" Matthew sa

im, but at the heavenly breakfast in front of me

s. There was a cherry floating inside of his juice and his whole plate was covered in whipped cream. There was eve

om scolded Matthew, when he he

put some whipped cream in his mouth and Matthew pouted. I scooped som

, but didn't rub it in all the way. He looked at me with his lips jutted out and his eyes narrowed. I laughed so hard

e. "What the heck?!" I exclaimed. My mom started laughing, and D

ght at me, and took another bite. "Very yummy," he said with his mouth full. I c

e rare moments that you wish would last forever. But it won't. Tom

ave to find my ma