Page 55 of The Captain's Little Girl

“Wow! That’s awesome. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Hank. I think the only one you don’t know is Jax.” Sam changed the conversation as he rocked his Little who looked very emotional.

“Soldier Daddies Teams one and two.” Tex drew out the names with an intense southern drawl that always revealed how his thoughts were focusing.

“Hi, Tex. That’s right. Appropriate names, don’t you think?” Hank asked, sounding less tense with every second that passed.

“Just perfect,” Mark interjected. “This is Mark. I’m glad you landed on a good team. They’re lucky to have you.”

“Thanks, Mark. I’ll let you all go. I appreciate you calling. Carpe diem, everyone!” Hank ended the phone call.

Silence settled over the group as they all got lost in their own thoughts.

“Hope, wasn’t there something you wanted to do tonight? The scissors are in my jacket.” Sam pointed to the material draped over the deck railing.

“Yes! I forgot!” Hope ran to the jacket and returned with the scissors pointed down at a sedate walk. No running with scissors around this crowd.

“Daddy, cut this off for me,” she requested, holding her wrist out to him. “We filled these with memories to keep our daddies close to us while you were gone. You’re home now.”

Sam accepted the metal shears and snipped firmly through the cord. He drew Hope in for a kiss before passing the implement to Tex next to him. “You’ll need these,” he suggested.

When each Little’s wrist was bare again and they were all snuggled on their daddies’ laps, Mark suggested to the group, “I chose a team based on their specific talents. It’s been a pleasure to see you each find your Little to make memories with. I suggest we make sure they have more knots to add to each bracelet.”

“I’m with you, Captain,” Sam said with a nod. The other team members echoed their agreement as they hugged their Littles close.

Sitting around the fire pit, each couple seemed to enjoy the quiet time together. When the little girls yawned, the men rose and sat them in the chairs alone while they helped Mark straighten the area. With soft goodbyes, each couple left hand in hand, each daddy leading his precious Little to their vehicle to go home as Mark and Cricket waved goodbye from the porch.

When the last taillights disappeared, Mark wrapped an arm around Cricket and urged her inside.

“We’re moving your stuff in tomorrow, little girl,” Mark announced.

“We are?”

“Carpe diem, baby girl. I don’t want to waste another day without you with me.”

“I’d like to be here with you. It already feels like my home,” Cricket confessed.

“Bed. You’ve had a long day.”

“With you, Daddy?” Cricket asked, looking up at his handsome face.

“Always.”

The End