Last Chance

Chapter 3

Charlie helped Juanaflippa undo her braids and managed to get her to shower after promising to play princess and dragon with her. He placed her clothes on her bed and made sure to pull out both the princess and dragon costume. They played for a while. Charlie had to "suffer" while Juanaflippa applied as much makeup as she could, as to make her dad "prettier than the flowers."

They laughed and played until lunchtime. Juanaflippa wouldn't let Charlie take off the make-up, so he simply touched it up. In the kitchen, Juanaflippa washed the blueberries they had bought. Charlie made a simple sandwich with fruit salad on the side. They watched movies after lunch.

"Dad?" She asked, looking up at him, her small face pressed against his chest.

"Yeah?" He glanced down, smoothing the hair on top of her head.

"Is Papa gonna have dinner with us?"

Charlie frowned, "I'm not sure." He glanced back at the T.V. He hated how that simple question made him feel.

"Can we call him?" Juanaflippa asked, her lips pouting a little.

Charlie picked up his phone, which had sat on a small table next to him. He handed it to Juanaflippa, who grinned and eagerly took it. The phone ran twice before Mariana answered. Charlie could hear him grunt a hello on the other side.

"Papa!"

Charlie got up, letting Juanaflippa talk to Mariana in peace. He picked up the leftover mess in Juanaflippa's room. He was just about done when Juanaflippa ran in, hugging his legs thrusting the phone into his hands.

"Hello?" He hesitated, unsure why.

"Yeah, uh, I don't mind making dinner, but I'll leave early."

"So just like every other night." Charlie grumbled but quickly smiled when Juanaflippa tugged at his pants.

"Yeah. Uh, see you later." Mariana ended the call before he could say bye.

Charlie sighed. Juanaflippa tilted her head. "Movie night?" That got a smile.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Hey, sorry I'm late!" Mariana called out as he entered the house. Juanaflippa squealed and got off the couch quickly, running over to hug her papa. Charlie stayed on the couch, watching his husband (god he really was, wasn't he?) pick up his daughter and swing her around. He paused the movie and got up, catching Mariana's attention.

"Oh, wow." He set Juanaflippa down. She giggled, hugging her papa's leg.

"Dad's pretty, right?" She asked, though it really wasn't a question.

Charlie blushed a little but brushed off the comment. "Well, didn't you say you were making dinner?"

Mariana's eyes widened, "Oh, yes, right."

Mariana set his stuff down and rolled his sleeves, "Hora de cocinar, ¿no?" he grinned down at Juanaflippa.

Charlie, let them be walking to his bedroom. He silently closed the door and walked over to the closet. He opened it and sighed. At least the amount of work won't be much. "Time to get to work." He chuckled sadly to himself.