Austin woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains, bathing the bedroom in a gentle glow. He lay there for a moment, listening to the quiet sounds of the house. Today was going to be different, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Carefully slipping out of bed, Austin glanced over at Lucy, who was still peacefully asleep. He tiptoed down the hallway, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpet beneath him. The house was still and serene, the only sounds being the faint hum of the refrigerator and the rhythmic ticking of the clock in the kitchen.
As he approached the nursery, Austin felt a wave of warmth wash over him. Inside, Lori was beginning to stir, her tiny fists rubbing at her sleepy eyes. The room was filled with the soft scent of baby lotion, and the pastel-colored walls were decorated with whimsical animal prints. Austin smiled as he leaned over the crib, whispering softly, "Good morning, sweetheart. Ready for a big day with Daddy?"
Lori’s face lit up with a gummy grin, her little hands reaching out to him. Austin scooped her up, feeling her small, warm body against his chest. He held her close, savoring the sweetness of her baby scent. The guilt he had been carrying began to ease as he thought, *I’ve missed so much, but today is just about us.*
After dressing Lori in a yellow sundress adorned with tiny daisies and a matching sunhat, Austin carried her downstairs. The kitchen was bathed in the golden light of morning, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. As he balanced Lori on his hip, he prepared a simple breakfast—a bowl of oatmeal for Lori and toast for himself.
"Let’s eat up, kiddo," Austin said, setting Lori in her high chair. He watched with amusement as she eagerly reached for her spoon, making a delightful mess of her oatmeal. Her chubby fingers grasped the spoon with determination, and Austin couldn’t help but laugh. *This is what I’ve been missing,* he thought, his heart swelling with love.
By mid-morning, they were ready to head to the zoo. The drive was peaceful, the city still waking up as they cruised down quiet streets. Lori babbled happily in the backseat, her little feet kicking excitedly as she watched the world pass by outside her window.
When they arrived at the zoo, the air was alive with the sounds of excited children and the calls of various animals. The scent of popcorn and cotton candy mingled with the fresh smell of mowed grass, creating a carnival-like atmosphere. Austin adjusted Lori’s sunhat as they entered the gates, her eyes wide with wonder at the vibrant colors and lively surroundings.
"Look at that, Lori," Austin pointed to a group of flamingos standing gracefully in a nearby pond. Their pink feathers contrasted beautifully with the green foliage. Lori’s eyes widened in amazement, her tiny hand reaching out as if she could touch them.
They wandered through the zoo, visiting various exhibits. Lori giggled with delight as they watched monkeys swing from branch to branch, and she clapped her hands with glee when they reached the elephant enclosure. The massive creatures moved slowly across their habitat, their trunks swaying rhythmically. Austin knelt down beside Lori, who was securely strapped into her stroller, and pointed out each animal, explaining them in a soft, soothing voice.
"Those are elephants, Lori. They’re some of the biggest animals on the planet," he explained, watching as Lori's gaze followed the majestic creatures. He marveled at her curiosity, thinking about how quickly she was growing up. A mix of pride and a touch of sadness filled him. *I need to be here more often to see these moments,* he thought.
As the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the zoo, Austin decided it was time for a treat. He packed Lori back into the car, her eyes heavy with the excitement of the day, and they drove to a nearby ice cream shop—a quaint little place he had loved since he was a kid.
The shop was charming, with checkered floors and the inviting scent of freshly made waffle cones. Behind the counter, rows of vibrant ice cream flavors were on display, each more tempting than the last. Holding Lori in his arms, Austin let her take in the sight. Her eyes widened with excitement, and she pointed to the bright pink strawberry ice cream.
"One strawberry scoop, please," Austin said, smiling as the woman behind the counter handed over a small cone topped with a perfect scoop of pink ice cream. He guided Lori’s tiny hand to the cone, helping her take her first lick. Her eyes lit up as the sweet, cold treat hit her tongue, and she let out a delighted squeal.
"Good, isn’t it?" Austin chuckled, watching her eagerly dig in. He took a few bites of his own vanilla cone, savoring the simple pleasure of the moment. *This is perfect,* he thought, feeling a deep contentment settle over him. *Just me and my girl.*
They found a small bench outside the shop, where they sat side by side, sharing their ice cream and watching the world go by. The air was warm, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers. Lori leaned against Austin, her little body relaxing into his as she finished the last of her cone.
As the day drew to a close, and the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city, Austin felt a profound sense of peace. He looked down at Lori, now dozing in his arms, and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. *I promise I’ll be here more often, Lori,* he silently vowed, *I won’t let these moments slip away.*
That night, after returning home, Austin tucked Lori into her crib, her tiny hand clutching the stuffed elephant they had bought at the zoo. He stood there for a moment, watching her sleep, feeling grateful for the time they had shared. The house was quiet again, filled with the gentle hum of nighttime, and as Austin made his way back to bed, he knew that today had been the start of something better—something more.
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Bikeriders Serenade
Fanfictiona tale of two people meeting at a movie premier continue reading to see what happens
