Playing with feelings

5

The next day Daveed was buckling Amber in after school. He made sure to be early because today they were having a daddy daughter ice cream date. It was sort of becoming their tradition.

"Daddy go, go, go!" Amber squealed from her pent up excitement. The way she saw it, she was getting ice cream for a special day and her daddy was taking too long checking over her seatbelts.

Daveed chuckled and shook his hand, "I'm going munchkin, I just gotta make sure," he said before pulling on the buckle one more time. Once he finished, he gave her a thumbs up and she matched it with her tiny hand.

He moved to the drivers seat and hopped in himself. To the local ice shop he drove, and as he pulled into a park, he could see Amber's eyes shine with joy after she recognized the fact that they had made it.

He hopped out of the car and could already smell the fresh cones. Amber eagerly jumped into his arms once he got her from the seat and he walked them in.

This particular ice cream shop was famous for its 16 flavors. Daveed had been coming here since he'd moved to Los Angeles, and since Amber had been on this side of the world, she'd been too.

"We have to get 3 today Daddy," Amber said, holding up three fingers as she did it.

Daveed grinned at his daughter. "Yes we do," he said, bottling up the emotions that came with this little tradition. He turned to the lady behind the counter and ordered three cups of ice cream: red velvet, chocolate, and vanilla.

He put Amber on the ground to fit the cups into his hands. Amber led the way to an open table and they sat down together. He took the chocolate for himself and gave Amber the vanilla. In the cup of red velvet, he set two spoons, two for them to share.

"How was your day at school?" Daveed asked Amber as she scooped up her ice cream.

"Good, not as good as ice cream though," she giggled, "Your turn."

Daveed smiled softly, "My turn, well um- My day was pretty good. My students were good. They liked our lesson plan," he said before pausing, "Amb do you remember why we get the third ice cream just for today?" His tone softened just slightly as his brain released a few of the emotions.

"Yep," she nodded quickly, "Mommy's favorite," she answered him.

He nodded in response, "Mhm, she always got red velvet."

Amber smiled and turned back to the ice cream. She was almost done with her scoop and would likely eat most of the red velvet. Daveed didn't mind though, he had always appreciated how much she too liked the flavor, and he could hardly eat today anyways.

He ate a couple scoops while Amber finished off both cups. He couldn't help but laugh at the smears of ice cream she had gotten on her cheeks. "C'mere munchkin," Daveed motioned her closer before taking a napkin to wipe her mouth.

Amber smiled, "I'm finished," she said, looking down at the cups.

"I see. Ready to go home?" Daveed asked her.

She nodded happily, the excitement of the last hour still not having worn off. It made Daveed happy to see how much she had always loved today, and it helped him to get through it easier.

He threw away the empty cups then grabbed Amber's hand to walk her out to the car. He buckled her in and they headed home for the night.

Daveed made Amber a quick turkey sandwich dinner to check off the box, even though she whined while eating it. But, I'm full daddy, she said after nearly every bite.

They went through the general motions of the night, lesson plans, a little bit of tv, and then bath time. Around 8, he tucked her into bed. "Goodnight, my munch," he said before placing two kisses on her forehead, punctuating the second one just a little bit more.