Daddy's Perfect Match

Chapter 17

James's Point of View

I feel her gaze on me as I plate our pancakes. I grab a bite before I walk our food to counter.
Damn. My baby girl does mix up some great pancakes. I set down her plate and see her face light up when she sees the chocolate designs I've made on them.
"Thank you daddy"
She comes over to make me breakfast and then thanks me?
I should be thanking her for letting me stare at that round little face while she eats. But I wouldn't want to change her. Polite and so sweet.
"Thank you sweetheart, these pancakes are amazing. I've only ever used the mix. This" I kiss the top of her head " is the real thing"
And I'm not just talking about the food. I can feel something growing between us and I fucking love it.
We eat in a companionable silence for a little while. I watch my little out of the corner of her eye. So sweet.
"Honey, do you have any plans today?"
She shakes her head.
"Use your words baby"
"No daddy"
"I wish I could spend all day with you but I do have a lot of work today. And some little minx woke me up at 1 o'clock last night!"
I poke her side and she giggles and looks at me through her lashes.
"I don't wanna go back to my house daddy"
"You can stay here if you really want to, but I can only visit you when I'm taking a break. I break every hour for ten minutes and I take about 40 minutes to make and eat lunch. If you really want to you can watch Disney in the den"
She nods.
"Baby...."
"I meant, yes daddy!"
"Ok, how about you go back to your house and take a shower," I finger one of her flour dusted braids "change out of your pjs, pick out some stuffies and maybe your computer or something to do, and you can camp out over here"
She springs out of her chair, gives me the fastest little kiss on the cheek, and bounds out the kitchen door.
I load our plates in the dishwasher and go to the den to set up.

Charlottes Point of View

I skip back to James's house with Prissy the elephant under one arm and my computer in the other.
I keep on skipping down the hall where I can hear James footsteps.
The den is so cozy! There's a big leather couch, a TV big enough for a good movie but not so big it gives you a headache mounted over a fireplace, and tons of throw pillows and fuzzy blankies. They're all in dull grays and other "tasteful neutrals" but at least they look soft.
James is fussing with the pillows when he hears me approaching. He turns, grins at me, places a clipboard in my hands(what?), kisses my forehead, and says "I have to work sweety, I'll see you at 10:50 for my hourly ten minute break" and then he's just gone.
I've gotten attached to him so quick that I immediately feel a little lost.
Until I look down at the clipboard. It's a handwritten page.

Charlotte's Homework
Sweetie- here is a list with a task for every hour. If there is anything you are uncomfortable with or truly don't want to do, tell me when I come down for my break.
Please don't disturb me while I work, you're too adorable and I won't get anything done. See you soon pumpkin.
Here's your first task

10:00
There's something hidden right here in the den. Hint- it's wrapped in pink tissue. Look inside it for more instructions.

I look under the couch, behind the arm chair, in the closet. I haven't found it yet but I'm impressed by James's housekeeping skills, there isn't a dust bunny in sight!
Finally I find a flat package wrapped in crinkly pink paper wedged between the couch and the wall.
I rip into it and squeal with delight. It's an adult coloring book and a huge package of triangle grip colored pencils.
"Easy grip for little hands"
That's me!
I skim my hands over the smooth surface of my new coloring book.  The price is still on it. 18 dollars! That's fancy.

On the inside cover is a note from daddy.

10:00 task
Color a picture for daddy.
Can't wait to see it sweet pea!

It's already 10:20, I only have a half an hour! I turn on the Tangled soundtrack and get to work.

What do you guys think of the homework idea? Do you like it?