Page 38 of Bear’s House

"Do you think they'll have breadsticks at Olive Garden?"

He went quiet for a second and then laughed —making his chest move and shook me a little along with it.

"Yes, my love. They'll have breadsticks."

"Great," I said, very relieved. "Because I was worried."

"You were worried about the breadsticks, sweetheart?"

"It's a valid concern."

He hugged me tighter, still laughing.

"It's a very valid concern," he said. "I promise you: breadsticks."

I turned a little so I could look at his face properly. His beard was longer than last week and I liked it. It suited him. I ran my hand through it without asking permission because he was Daddy and I could.

He kissed the top of my head.

"Go get ready for dinner, my love. Put on that little blue dress you like."

I lit up immediately.

"The one with the bow in the back?"

"That one."

I jumped off his lap and ran to my room. The little blue dress with the bow in the back was one of my favorites — I'd asked Daddy to buy it months ago and he'd gotten it that same week because he was the best Daddy in the world. I put it on carefully, tied the bow behind me as best I could, and went to the mirror.

It looked beautiful. I looked beautiful. And he didn't mind if I wore a dress in public. He always said he'd defend me if anyone said anything. My Daddy was the best in the entire world.

I went back to the living room where JJ and Sawyer were already waiting. JJ had put on black trousers and an embroidered floral shirt he loved and had done his eyeliner, which made him look really pretty. Sawyer was in dark jeans and a fitted gray henley.

"You're wearing a dress?" JJ asked when he saw me.

"I am," I said, a little defiant.

"It looks beautiful," he said, just like that, and went back to fixing his hair in the window reflection.

I was very pleased.

Daddy came down last, already changed out of his pajamas into dark trousers and his favorite linen shirt, the beige one, with the top buttons open. Handsome as always. He looked at the three of us and got that expression on his face — the one he got when he was very satisfied with the family he had.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready," all three of us said together.

And we went.

Olive Garden was warm and fragrant and full of people, and I loved it from the moment I walked in. They took us to a big corner table, very cozy, and when the server set down the first basket of breadsticks, I looked at Daddy as if to say, I told you so.

He was smiling.

"I want the Fettuccine Alfredo," I announced, opening my menu with great seriousness.

"You haven't even finished looking at the menu," Sawyer said.

"I don't need to. I already decided."