"Papa, where are you...? Why did you leave me? Papa, I love you!" the little girl cried into her father's ruana bitterly.
When Kristi was just a year old, her parents were in a tragic accident. Kristi was an orphan. She was sent to the orphanage in...
It was my little girl's fifth birthday. It was almost time for her gift ceremony to start and I was putting the finishing touches on her outfit and hairstyle. Kristi was looking adorable and beautiful. But, honestly, I can't take all the credit. My sisters, Pepa and Julietta helped too. The three of us are triplets. My sisters are already married with children, so they help me where I need it. I learn a lot from them about parenting, actually.
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"Hold still, Kristi! I'm going to mess up your hair if you keep fidgeting like this," I told her. She was really fidgety.
"I can't help it, papa! I'm nervous..." My little girl looked up at me. I could see in her little brown eyes she was scared.
I frowned. "Why?" I spoke softly, picking her up and setting her on my lap.
"What if my gift isn't good...? Abuela will hate me even more!"
I closed my eyes and sighed. I knew that feeling all too well. I've seen Kristi trying to please her and gain her approval. I looked at her and ran my fingers through her curls that Julietta had made. "Oh my sweet girl...Your abuela doesn't hate you...She just sometimes has trouble showing how she feels about you..."
"And you....?" she asked in a soft voice.
I could hardly bring myself to answer, but finally, I did. "Yes, angel....But your abuela has a lot on her mind. She keeps this family running. She makes sure everything runs smoothly and everyone is doing what they're supposed to do."
"She doesn't seem to have a problem showing she likes Isabella..." Kristi mumbled.
Oh boy...How do I answer that?? "Maybe....But, sometimes, I suppose your abuela worries about losing the magic somehow. So, she holds on too tightly. That's what I gather. I mean, I could be wrong but-"
"Papa, it's ok." Kristi giggled as she interrupted my rambling. "I love you, papa."
I smiled and hugged my little girl. "I love you too, sweet girl..."
"Will you walk down the aisle with me...?"
"I'm afraid I can't do that, princess. But I'll be waiting right at your door with your abuela. Ok?" I smiled, putting her down.
"Ok..."
*A Few Minutes Later*
I'm standing near mama at my daughter's door. Finally, the curtain opens to reveal my little girl. Mama smiled and watched as she stood there. I frowned. She looked scared...Nervous even. I bent down and held out my arms for her. She saw me and ran up to me. I took her in my arms and hugged her. My mama was not happy. She cleared her throat crossly.
Ok, ok, I know I probably did a dumb thing. But I don't like seeing my daughter like that. I had to!
Anyways, I put her down. "It's ok, my little angel." I whispered.
She nodded and gave a small smile. She went up to mama and put her hands on the candle.
Mama looked at me sharply, as if to say, "If this goes wrong, it's yours and your daughter's fault." She looked down at Kristi and smiled. "Will you serve this community, our strength, our home?" Kristi nodded and mama moved aside. My little daughter slowly walked up to the door and touched the doorknob. It glowed so brightly, Kristi covered her eyes. We stared in awe at her door. On it, was a picture of Kristi, surrounded by stars, her eyes closed. She frowned slightly and was silent a moment. Then, she perked up, as if she realized something.
"Dreams..! I can see people's dreams!"
"We have a new gift!" mama shouted. The crowd cheered. I went over and picked Kristi up and spun her around as she giggled.
"Are you proud of me, papa?" she asked me.
"I couldn't be prouder. You always make me proud, my sweet angel." I said softly with a smile. Though, part of me was a little concerned. What if she looked into my dreams...? I don't want to worry her. Maybe she won't...I hope.
Everyone went inside her room. I set her down and we walked in hand-in-hand. It was a nighttime blue with tiny stars on the walls. Her bed was a canopy bed with a starry nighttime sky bedspread and a sheer dark blue curtain. The room had a little corner with a curtain hanging down. I'm not really sure what it is though. There was a walk-in closet in her room. I'm not certain she has enough clothes to fill it up. It was a big, beautiful room. Kristi loved it the instant she saw it. Her little eyes were wide. She pulled me over to every inch of the room. When she could that is. It was crowded with people.
When everyone finally left, and it was time for bed, I tucked my sweet girl in.
"Sing to me, papa? Please?" she asked gently.
"Alright, angel." I smiled and sat down on the edge of her bed. I was tired, but, I enjoyed singing to her. I'm not the best singer in the world, but, she seems to like it.
"Well, I've seen a sunset that would make you cry. And I've seen storms come and go....Pass on by...I've seen the moon in all it's glory, way up high. But none of this compares to you..." I began. Kristi was listening with her beautiful little smile.
"You're daddy's little girl. And I love you forever...Cause you will always be the very best part of me...I promise to protect you, guide you where ever you may go...Cause you will always be my whole world. You're daddy's little girl..."
"Since she was a baby, merely toddling around...Jumping and playing chase, or messing around. Bring a smile to my face, but a tear to my eye. Honey, my love for you will never die," I reached out for Kristi and she happily climbed onto my lap. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm daddy's little girl. And I love you forever, cause you will always be the very best part of me!" Kristi sang in her soft voice.
"I promise to protect you and not desert you, and never leave you far behind...Cause you will always be my whole world. You're daddy's little girl.." Kristi put her head on my chest as I began the next line of our song.
We sang the next line together. "There may come a day, when we don't see eye to eye. But if you search within your heart, you know you'll always have mine..."
"You're daddy's little girl...And I love you forever! Forever and ever amen...I promise to protect you and not desert you, and never leave you far behind...Cause you will always be my whole world....Daddy's little girl...."
By this time, she was sound asleep. I tucked her back in bed. "You're daddy's little girl..."
I stood up and walked over to the door. I turned to look at her, smiling. "You're my little girl..."
