Daddy's Perfect Match

Chapter 27

James's Point of View

Charlotte and I talk the whole trip long. I love seeing her little but it's important for me to know the "normal" side of her too. She's so sweet, she seems genuinely interested in stories about my family, my college days, my career.
And of course I'm more than interested in knowing more about her.
We're getting closer to our destination.
"Okay baby, we're getting closer. Cover your eyes!"
I looked back, I just had to see this cuteness. She's squirming in her seat and did she paint her nails pink this morning? Just adorable.
We drive a little closer and I hear a squeak from the back seat.
"Daddy daddy! There's a Ferris wheel!"
"Baby did you look?"
"No"
I can't help but laugh. I go along with her little lie.
"How did you know there was a Ferris wheel?"
"Cause... It smells ferris wheely!"
"It does smell ferris wheely honey"
It's a fair a county away. When I heard about the carnival and the petting zoo I knew exactly who would love it.
I park and get out of the car. I think my baby is trying to make up for peeping earlier, because she's still sitting in the back of my car with her hands over her eyes. I swing open the door and pull her right out of the car into my arms.
"My purse!"
I set her down and reach into the car to get her purse when I stop. Little girls shouldn't have to worry about carrying around a bag.
"Baby I think you're too little for a purse" she blushes a little but looks intrigued "Is there anything you really need in there?"
"Well I don't need my phone or anything right now but what about my wallet?"
"Like I would let you pay for anything"
"Oh! Thank you daddy. That's very generous , I mean I know carnivals can be expensive, are you sure?"
Aww she seems so nervous. I drop a kiss on the top of her head.
"I'm sure"
I slam the car door shut and take her hand.

We get our tickets and the moment we step onto the fairgrounds I'm being tugged by a tiny hand.
"James the piglets are happening at 3! We have to go now"
I know she's not going to call me daddy in public but I miss the affection it added to every sentence.
I have no idea what she's talking about but I follow her, my much longer legs mean I walk behind her as she jogs toward a musty smelling building.
She squeaks as the piglets come into view.
There's a small crowd of children and parents, holding and petting the piglets.
Parents smile at us, thinking we're just a playful young couple.
My baby dives in to pick up a piggy when I pull her back. She frowns at me and pulls my hand off her arm.
I whisper into her ear.
"Baby there's a little boy waiting to play , you need to let the kids go first"
She seems upset but she still leans her head on my chest.
"Why"
I plant my head in the crook of her neck.
"Those kids only get to be kids once. You can be my baby forever" I kiss her neck and straighten back up, wondering if I've pushed it by using the word forever.
I'm very proud when she waits until the kids have all taken a turn to go play with the piglets. She kneels right in the straw and pets their little pink and brown bodies. I pull out my phone and snap a surreptitious photo. The only thing that could make this scene better is if she had two French braids. That would be cute and I have to admit, pretty hot as well.
The other people get bored and leave and it's just the two of us and Charlotte is singing a lullaby to a pig.
"What's that piggy's name sweety?"
"Piper! And I'm her mommy and you're her daddy"
She blushes a little and I can tell she's a little nervous about having just insinuated the two of us having a child together.
"You know, she inherited your eyes and my tail"
I love Charlotte's giggle. I kneel down next to her when a piglet with a big brown patch on its face trundles up to me. I scoop him up too.
"This is our son, James Junior"
We play house until a staffer comes to bring the piglets back to their mother. My baby girl waves sadly as the piglets leave.
"Bye bye Piper! Bye bye James Junior!"
She sighs sadly and leans into me.
"How about a ride on the tilt a whirl?"
"Ok!!"
She can't have been that upset. We race towards the carnival and don't look back.
We make a beeline for the tilt a whirl, a fun spinning ride that's not too scary.
I lift her into one of the little pods on the ride and get in next to her. She wiggles closer and closer and we wait for the ride to begin.
She squeals as the car glides forward suddenly and we're off. She holds me tight for that and every other ride, giggling as we pick up speed.
I love seeing the pure joy on her face and the wind in her hair and she seems to love being with me, refusing rides where we would have to sit apart. I couldn't be happier. The sun begins to set as she cuddles into me on the top car of the Ferris wheel.
"This has been the best day ever daddy"
"Yes." Is all I say, because she's absolutely right.