Some time later.
"Just one more, baby!" The camera flash went off and the mischievous giggle of his perfect model made Benny smile so tenderly and broadly that his muscles ached.
"Up daddy, up!"
Benny had no choice but to push the camera aside and open his arms for his little daughter who was cheering for him. She was as light as a feather. Just perfect. The cutest in her tiny brown boots, her beige tights and her pink cardigan that Frida herself knitted a few weeks ago. His heart melted yet again when she wrapped her little arms around his neck tightly, as if she wanted to cling to him forever.
"Uggh you're so strong, baby." He hugged her tightly but carefully, like the most beautiful treasure in the world. Indeed, she was. His Annie was the best thing in his life. The day she was born, almost two years ago, his life took on a different meaning, the world was painted in a deeper color; The trees were no longer just green but greener, the sky was no longer blue but bluer. She revolutionized his existence for the second time in a matter of a year, first his most adored Frida and then his perfect Annie.
"Up, up!"
"Up? You wanna go higher, uh?" Benny held her above his head and spun, she enjoyed it when he did that. Annie's laughter surfaced and flooded the entire garden, inevitably making Benny laugh too. Not even the sun shining over the field shone as brightly as the two of them in this moment of pure joy. The day was wonderful, bright and resplendent like spring itself, but sharing quality time with his daughter made it incomparably perfect.
Benny pulled her to his chest again, she was still laughing breathlessly. "Look baby, Ray is here!"
The initial plan was to go horseback riding, an activity that they were slowly implementing with Annie, but Benny got distracted taking photos here and there as usual, he loved capturing memories. Ray walked up to the curb of the barn, Benny petted his head; he was bigger and stronger, a beautiful horse. "Lay!"
Benny giggled at his baby girl, the R was still hard to pronounce but expected considering her age. "Pet him, baby," he took his little hand to guide her. Ray, gentle and cuddly, let himself be pampered by his owner. "That's it, well done."
"Oww Lay. So plettyyy!"
"Yeah, so pretty! Like you." Benny kissed her rosy cheek and admired her, she was too beautiful, with her wavy brown hair, her white skin, green eyes and tiny freckles in the tip of her upright nose. She had so much of Frida on her, he couldn't be happier about it.
A hand in his back made him turn. A touch he'd recognize among three million. He didn't hear her coming, but now that she made her presence known it was so strong that captured his full attention. His eyes shone when they rested on her. "I can hear her from the pool. What are you two doing?" Frida rubbed his back at the same time she pinched Annie's cheek, speaking to her softly. "You are so noisy, my love."
"Mamma!"
"Yes, sweetheart? What is daddy doing to you?" Annie pointed at the horse and stretched, intending to reach him. "Hi, Ray." She felt his gaze on her, it was obviously in her direction when she met him. "What?" She chuckled.
Benny's smile grew wider and tender. "You take my breath away." Frida shook her head, making her redish hair dance. He simply couldn't take his eyes off of her; an angel on a long white dress. Her skin glowed, it costed him a huge effort not to run his fingers over her deep neckline, which invited him to get lost in her body. Instead, Benny wrapped his arm on her waist to bring her near, body against body, and kissed her right temple. "You look extra beautiful today."
"You say the same every day."
"Right, because you get more gorgeous as the days go by."
"You are such an exaggerated flatterer." She looked up at his blue eyes. Since she wore flat sandals and the field was irregular, the height difference became evident. Frida indeed felt the most gorgeous ever every time he landed his eyes on her, it was an automatic effect. "But thanks." She pecked on his lips. He tried to make it last, going further, but Frida backed away. "Mmm... kid."
