And The Sky Opened Up

Dressup

Although Bandit only wanted to sleep for one hour, and I said 2 and a half, she slept for 3.

It was 5:00. Everybody would be here in a hour. Bandit came into the T.V room and sat on Franks lap. I couldn't help but feel jealous. He was so good with her. Hey! I should hire Frank to be my nanny! Haha, kidding! He would be good though.

"I wanna dress up for the party!" Bandit screeched.

"Like a princess?" Frank asked.

"Nooooo!" she said "Like mommy!"

Me and Frank went silent. I felt a few tears fall down my cheeks. Bandit ran over to me and wiped them away.

"I'm sorry Daddy" she said.

"Don't be sorry, Bee! You can dress up like mommy if you want to" I said trying to put a smile on. Frank looked worried.

Frank and I went into Bee's closet and pulled out a red tartan kilt and white blouse. I asked Frank to come with me into the master bedroom to go to Lyn-Z's old closet. I opened it. The smell hit me. It smelled like her.

"Fuck! I can't fucking do this Frank! Like who the fuck am I kidding?! I can't fucking do this!!!!" I yelled a little too loud.

Bandit walked in. She looked scared.

"why are you yelling, daddy?" she said

"Awe, Bee, come here" I said

She slowly made her way over to me. I picked her up and hugged her tightly. I gave her to frank, and turned back to the Closet and took a deep breath. Lyn-Z had a huge collection of girl ties. I picked her favourite one and put it on Bandit. She really did look like her mom now.

The door bell rang. It was only 5:30. Someone was early.

It was Jamia and the girls. I let Bandit answer the door to show off her costume. Jamia looked between me and Frank with a nervous look and mouthed "Why is she dressed like Lyn-Z?" We shrugged.

"Auntie Jamia?!" Bee yelled.

"Yes sweetie?" she said

"Can you do my hair like mommy's?" she said with a smile.

Jamia looked at me, as if to ask permission. I nodded.

Frank picked up his daughter Cherry and started talking to her in a baby voice. I couldn't help but chuckle. He was a good dad. His other daughter (Cherry's twin), Lily, stood beside me and looked up at me. I picked her up and started talk to her too. They were only 2 and very shy. Unlike my kid, who would always speak her mind. I guess she got that from her father. Lily was staring at my red hair.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

"Yes" she said and turned to Frank.

"Daddy? You should ask Santa to give you red hair for Christmas. You can be more like Uncle Gee" she said

Franks mouth dropped and I burst out laughing. Jamia couldn't help but laugh too. Wait. Did she call me ... Uncle? That's a first. I like it.

"All done!" Jamia said.

Bandit came running towards me jumping up and down yelling "Look at me Daddy! Look at me! I look pretty! I look like mommy!"

She did look pretty. She did look like mommy.