If I Have To

Call Me Daddy

New York, New York
April 9th

Kasey L.

"Can I look now?"

"No. Now, stop asking."

I continued pulling Xena along to her present. Today was the day that I give it to her and I was anxious. After paying Mr. Woodson all his money, I was proud of what I was doing for her. But as the days got closer and I noticed her mood changing due to her friends leaving, I was worried about my decision. Yes, it seemed as though it was something she would love. Yes, I was doing it out of love. But you never know with her and that's why I was scared.

We stopped walking and that made her speak again. "Can I open my eyes now?" She asked, reaching for my hands.

"No, keep them closed," I instructed. I could feel her eyes moving on my hands so I didn't move them.

"Xena," I sternly said her name.

"I'm keeping them shut. I'm keeping them shut," she repeated with a chuckle.

"Mhm," I hummed then slowly inched my hands off her eyes. I looked at her just to make sure they were still closed.

They were. I walked around her then went to the door of the greenhouse. I opened it then reached for her hand. She grabbed me tight and I quickly let her know she was good. I pulled her towards me, she shuffled but still made it. I shut the door once we were inside.

"Now, can I open my eyes?" She asked once again.

"Now, you can." I gave her permission.

Within seconds, her eyes shot open and she started looking around. I stood there and allowed her to take it in. In the back of my mind, I wished she liked it. She continued looking around until she came to me. Her face was unreadable and that worried me. I decided to step in to help ease my mind.

"I've been watching and listening to you. It may not seem like it but I do. I remember you telling me about your plants when we were in DR. I see you watching videos about them and stocking up your cart with garden tools. I know that you haven't been settling in lately. You don't feel at home and since we can't go to your home, I wanted to bring your home to you. So, I bought a greenhouse." I held my hands out and she started looking around again.

I continued, "Watching you is very easy just so you know. Anyway as you can see, I bought quite a lot of items to get you started. There's about twenty gardening pots, brand new for you to use. New displays and racks. Covering, lighting, fans, heaters, vents. There's all of that. I got you gardening tools, double of everything in case one breaks or you decided to use two hands. Which is useful for other things as well," I threw in a joke to lighten up the mood. She didn't catch it though.

That was unfortunate.

I cleared my throat, feeling myself losing my spark. "What else is there?" I asked myself while looking around. I had no idea what the hell I was speaking on. I was so freaking lost and I didn't want her to know that.

Soon as I went back to her, I was caught off guard when she came at me and jumped in my arms. I caught her and felt how tight she was hugging me. She almost took my breath away. That's how tight she had me. No, she really was taking my breath away.