August 31st.
Catherine is 30 weeks pregnant.
Jessica is currently working in the toddler room at work. It was a pretty normal day, up until a coworker came over to speak with her.
"Hey Jessica?"
"Yes?" Jessica smiles softly.
"You might wanna go check on Isla."
"Why what's wrong?"
"She's upset about something that happened at school today."
"At school?"
"Yeah there's apparently a father daughter dance that she heard her friends talking about."
Jessica sighs and feels her heart break for her daughter. "I knew this was coming. Thank you for telling me."
"Of course. I'll cover for you. Just make sure she's okay. If you have to go home now I'll stay so you can take care of her."
"I really appreciate that, Lilly."
Jessica then walked down the hall to find Isla.
When she entered the room she saw Isla sitting alone in the corner with tears pouring down her face.
"Isla bug. ." Jessica said in a sad tone as she walked towards her. She then sat down and placed her in her lap.
"Baby girl, talk to mommy. What's wrong?"
"I'm just sad, mommy."
"Why?"
Isla sniffles and nods her head.
"I need to know how you're feeling, love."
Isla coughs and says, "I can't dress up like a pretty princess like my friends."
"Honey yes you can. You're the most beautiful princess out of all of them!"
"I can't go to the dance, mommy." Isla looks up to her mother with the saddest little pout.
"The father daughter dance?"
"Yeah, I don't have a father."
"I know, I'm so sorry. One day you'll understand everything."
"Did I used to have a daddy? . . . Is he bad? . . . Did he not love me?"
Jessica's head started spinning. She wanted to throw up.
"Isla it is complicated, honey."
"Why is he gone? My friends have a daddy."
"I'll explain it to you one day, I promise. But honey. ." Jessica swallows and takes a deep breath. "You know what?"
"What?"
"I bet you that if you really really want to go to this dance and dress up like a princess. . I bet you Poppy would love it if you asked him to take you."
Isla's teary eyes light up. "Poppy can take me?!"
"We can ask him!"
"Yay! Poppy will take me. He LOVES Isla!"
Jessica giggles and kisses his cheek. "Everyone loves Isla!"
"Mommy, can we leave and go to the store for a tie?"
"A tie?" Jessica chuckles.
"Yes! I'm gonna give it to Poppy when I ask him to the dance." Isla smiles.
"Aw you're such a sweet girl." Jessica smiles. "Now let's wipe these tears off of this beautiful little face." She then kisses her. "Muah! Let's get out of here."
**
Jessica called Danny and he came over to pick her up. After picking out a tie for Doug, and buying his favorite candy, Danny drove them home.
"Poppy!" She says walking into the house with the wrapped tie in one hand, and a box of candy in the other.
"Hi honey! How was school today?" Catherine smiles.
"Where's Poppy?"
Catherine chuckles. "He's in the bedroom.
"Thanks. POPPY!" She shouts and walks upstairs.
Jessica laughs and says, "Come on. You're gonna want to see this, mom."
The two walk in behind Isla.
"Hey Isla!" Doug's face lights up when he sees her.
"Poppy?"
"Yes?"
"Will you please take me to the father daughter dance? Here!" She smiles and hands him his presents.
"What?" Doug looked like he could cry. He was so surprised.
"You heard me, silly!"
"Isla baby, I would be honored." Doug takes the presents and picks her up.
"Isla doesn't know what that means." She says cutely.
"That means Yes I will take you." Doug chuckles.
"YAY! Thank you, Poppy!"
"You're welcome, baby girl."
"Open your tie!" Isla reaches for the unwrapped gift.
"Isla you gave away the surprise!" Jessica laughs as she and Catherine wipe their tears.
"Oppsie!"
"It's okay. Let's see this awesome tie. . . Oh and I cannot wait to show off my new dinosaur tie in front of the entire school! I love it so much, Isla!"
Isla giggles. "Me picked it out all by myself!"
"It's so beautiful. I love you, Isla."
Isla smiles and wraps her arms around her grandfather. "I love you too, Poppy. I hope you know how to dance."
"Does Poppy know how to dance?"
"No he does not!" Catherine says.
"She doesn't know what she's talking about. Yes I do. I'm the best!"
Isla giggles. "I'll tell you if you're the best.
Doug laughs. "Thanks."
