Their Princess

Chapter 41

The event would have been boring if I hadn't caught his eyes. He was sitting in the back away from the eyes of the wanderers. Even if he was near, I highly doubt if anybody would have paid him any attention. 

The moment I laid my eyes on him, I knew I had to have him. So I jumped from my chairs in search of Daddy. Rey was gone to refill the plates with food leaving a sulking Zed beside me.

For the most part, I ignored Zed, looking here and there when I saw him. I rush my feet when I see where Daddy is while Zed calls me back. He should have understood by now that if I want Daddy, then I will have Daddy.

Reaching him, I tug on his shirt sleeve frantically. 

“ What is it, baby?” He questions frowning, cupping my face in his both hands. 

“ Daddy, come.” I tug on his arm to get him to move. My breath is slightly labored because of running or maybe from excitement. I look back, occasionally making sure he doesn't disappear.

“ Zed, what happened?” 

“ I don't know. She just jumped from her chair and ran toward you.” 

Daddy looks worried but thankfully starts moving. He tries to cover my body with his in case any danger appears but gives up when he sees my enthusiastic steps.

“ Daddy. This.” I point my finger toward him.

Daddy looks stunned for almost a minute, and then his whole face transforms into delight.

“ Do you want it?” He asks me, and I nod my head eagerly, jumping up and down.

“ Please. Please.”

“ Alright. Let's get you your new stuffie then.” 

So that's how I bought my new stuffie, aka alien panda. He is so cute and wild at the same time. He has pointed, sharp ears with a long tail and tiny fangs, but beside that difference, he is just like any other earth panda.

And he is mine now.

Daddy suggests carrying him for me. But I politely refuse. I'm way too excited to give him away when I just got him now. I carry my three feet panda to where Eli and Rey are seated.

“ What the heck is this thing, princess?” Rey frowns.

“ It's my stuffie, Rey. Eli look.” I jump on his lap and introduce him to my new stuffie.

“ He’s amazing, Princess.” He caresses my head lovingly. “ Thank the goddess. Finally…..” Eli sighs. “ I was getting worried that she would never take another stuffed toy for herself.”

“ I'm happy for her.” Zed mumbles, looking genuinely pleased.

“ I forgot to tell you, Alerix. We have some guests that you would like to meet.” Eli informs in his strict business voice.

“ Where are they?”

“ They are on their way. Told me to wait for them. I didn't like it, but then they said they have some confidential information that could benefit us.”

Daddy frowns, looking serious. “ Princess, can you wait an hour or two more here, or do you want to go home?”

I want to wait, but I'm way too tired. I just want to snuggle in my bed with Daddy and Mr. Panda. But I think it was my excitement to sleep with my new stuffie that made me make the worst decision of my life.

“ I want to go home, Daddy.”

“ You sure?” Daddy asks again, confirming if that's what I want. My heart fills with love. How did I get so lucky? Back at home, nobody asked me what I wanted or needed. They just told me what I should or should not do.

And if I didn't listen to them, they would declare me as a bad girl or selfish for not complying with their needs. I felt violated when nobody heard my voice and forced me to do what they wanted me to do.

It broke my heart and turned me into a rebel. I stopped feeling my emotions because I knew nobody was there to validate them. I stopped sharing my thoughts because I knew they would tell me to think like them instead. Practically. 

Where would all dreamers go if we all start to think practically?

Tears pool in my eyes, making Daddy panic. I release my stuffie from my grasp and hug him tightly.

“ Love you, Daddy.” 

“ Hey, sweetheart. What happened?” His voice is so gentle and calm that it brings another wave of tears to my eyes.

“ Nothing. I just want to tell you that I love you. A lot.” He nuzzles his nose with mine, rubbing my back soothingly. 

“ I love you more, sweetheart. Way more than you can ever imagine.” He presses his lips with mine softly, smiling. 

With another kiss on my lips. He tells Rey and Zed to take me home while they finish their work. 

“ Come early, Daddy. I will wait for you.” 

“ I will. Now give me my kiss.”

“ I just gave you one, silly.”

“ So what? I want one more.” Giggling, I kiss him on his lips, which he turns into a sloppy one. Then I move toward Eli. He kisses my cheeks and then inhales my scent.

“ Don't miss me too much, Eli.” I tease. 

“ I will try my best. But I can't promise anything.” He said, chuckling.

Rey sits with me on the back, putting my head on his lap and covering me with a blanket. It's getting way too cold. I just want to reach home and snuggle in my blankets.

A few minutes into our drive, and I dozed off, only to wake up with a loud screech of tires that almost knocked me down if Rey wasn't holding me.