Bikeriders Serenade

A Day Of Wonder And Love

A few days after Mia’s first zoo trip, Austin unexpectedly got some time off from filming when the director came down with a bad cold, causing production to halt. Seizing the opportunity, Austin decided to plan a special daddy-daughter day with Mia, just as he had done with Lori when she was a baby.

Early the next morning, the house was quiet, still wrapped in the soft darkness before dawn. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of last night’s rain through the open window. Austin stirred awake about an hour before Mia, the promise of the day filling him with anticipation. He slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Lucy, and padded to the bathroom. The warm water from the shower was soothing as it cascaded over him, steam rising to fill the small space and fogging up the mirror.

After his shower, Austin dressed in his favorite white t-shirt, jeans, and vintage brown boots, the familiar comfort of the worn leather grounding him as he thought about the day ahead. As he finished lacing his boots, a soft sound drifted down the hallway—a quiet murmur from Mia’s room, followed by a sweet giggle. Smiling, Austin headed toward her room.

When he opened the door, he was greeted by Mia’s bright eyes already wide open, her face lit up with a big, toothy smile that seemed to chase away the lingering shadows of sleep. Her crib, still adorned with soft pastel blankets, felt like a cozy haven in the corner of the room.

“Ready to have a special day, just you and Daddy?” Austin asked, his voice warm with excitement, leaning against the doorframe.

Mia squealed with delight, her tiny hands clapping together. “Yeah, just Mia and Daddy!” she exclaimed, her excitement filling the room with a contagious energy that made Austin’s heart swell with love.

Austin lifted her out of the crib, her small body warm and soft against him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He dressed her in a cozy autumn outfit—a pair of leggings and a comfy sweater, the fabric soft and perfect for the crisp fall weather that awaited them outside.

Downstairs, the kitchen was bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun, streaming through the windows and casting golden patterns across the wooden floor. The air was filled with the familiar scents of home—fresh coffee brewing, the faint sweetness of fruit, and the buttery smell of scrambled eggs cooking on the stove.

Austin set Mia in her high chair and served her a simple breakfast of fruit and scrambled eggs, cutting the fruit into small, bite-sized pieces that Mia eagerly reached for with her tiny fingers. The warmth of the kitchen, combined with the comforting routine of their morning, made everything feel just right.

After breakfast, Austin moved around the kitchen, packing a bag full of goodies for their day. He carefully spread peanut butter and jelly on slices of bread, the rich, nutty smell mixing with the sweetness of the jelly as he pressed the sandwiches together. He sliced apples and packed them alongside some cheese and crackers, then added a few fruit snack packs and a couple of water bottles to the bag. Each item was chosen with care, a simple but thoughtful gesture to ensure they had everything they needed for a perfect day out.

Once everything was ready, Austin helped Mia into her little sneakers and zipped up her jacket. He hoisted the bag onto his shoulder, grabbed his keys, and together, they headed out the door. The crisp morning air greeted them, fresh and clean, with just a hint of woodsmoke in the distance—a sign that autumn was settling in.

Their first adventure of the day was the aquarium, a place filled with endless wonders for a curious mind like Mia's. As they stepped inside, the cool, slightly humid air enveloped them, carrying the faint scent of saltwater and seaweed. The gentle hum of the water pumps created a soothing background noise, punctuated by the occasional splash as fish darted through their tanks.