The Adventures of Harry and Grace (H.S.)

Want Daddy

"Gracie bug, it's time, love. Let's get in bed." You plead with your daughter. "Pick a story, and I'll read it."

"O-tay mumma." Your two year old daughter walks over to her bookshelf, plucking out a story and running her small little legs over to her couch. Grace hands you the book, and she climbs up onto the couch, settling into your side, ready to listen to her bedtime story.

"The three little pigs!" You say enthusiastically. "Will you help me read?" Biting her lip and nodding her head, Grace gives you the signal she wants to help read a story she knows almost by heart. You begin the story.

"Once upon a time there were three little pigs and the time came for them to leave home and seek their fortunes. Before they left, their mother told them "Whatever you do, do it the best that you can because that's the way to get along in the world.

The first little pig built his house out of straw because it was the easiest thing to do. The second little pig built his house out of sticks. This was a little bit stronger than a straw house. The third little pig built his house out of bricks.

One night the big bad wolf, who dearly loved to eat fat little piggies, came along and saw the first little pig in his house of straw."

Putting on your best big bad wolf voice you approach Grace's favorite part of the story. Grace lifts her hands and clenches her fists as she shakes with excitement.

"Little pig, little pig, let me in."

"I do it, mumma!" Grace stops you before you can read her favorite part. "Not on my chinny, chinny, chinny." Her voice goes higher with each 'chinny' said, making your heart feel like it could soar up high with the birds. "I huff, puff, b-w-oh da house down!" Grace puffs out her cheeks like a chipmunk storing nuts for the winter, and blows all the air out against the book.

"Good job Gracie!" You say with a small chuckle. "What happens to the house?"

"It fall down!" Grace shrugs her shoulders as if the pig's house falling down isn't that big of a deal.

"That's right." You turn the page of the book and continue reading about the three little pigs and the big bad wolf who seems to enjoy ruining the houses the three friends have built. After all the chinny, chinny, chinnys are read, you close the book and kiss Grace on her forehead. "Alright bug, time to hop into bed. We have a song to sing."

Hopping off the couch and running towards her bed, she places her hands on the mattress, letting her feet grip the edge of the bed frame, using her strength to pull her body up into her queen-size bed. Climbing under fluffy covers, Grace pulls her stuffed sheep, Bob, close to her chest, preparing for her nightly song.

"Should we sing?" You ask Grace as you kneel down on the soft rug next to her bed.

"Mmhmm!" Grace hums, nodding her head, wiggling slightly as she adjusts her body in the covers, finding the perfect spot of comfiness.

"Now run along home, and jump into bed. Say your prayers, don't cover your head. There's just one more thing, I ask of you. You dream of me. And I'll dream of you." You sing the song that has been sung each and every night since the day Grace was born, ending the song in a small tickle fight. Grace's giggles fill the room as she attempts to battle your wiggling fingers that have found a new home on her tummy.

"Call daddy?" Grace asks, and you can hear the sad tone in her voice.

"Oh bug! Daddy is on stage at the moment. Singing to lots of people." You try and comfort her. Harry has been on tour for a couple of months. You and Grace have traveled off and on during the tour but it is really hard to travel the whole tour. "We can call him in the morning, okay love?"

"I wob daddy." A small pout has appeared on your daughter's face; it reminds you of Harry when something doesn't go the way he wants it to.

"I do too." You say, running your hand over the curls on top of her head. "And guess what? Daddy loves you." You can see the pain that Grace is experiencing as her father is far away doing his job. She misses him so much, and you can see it in her expression. Attempting to change the subject, you ask Grace a question. "Alright, what do you want to listen to tonight?"

"Don' know!" Grace says, unsure of what music she wants to listen to while she falls asleep and still upset that her daddy isn't here to say goodnight. Picking up the ipod on her dresser, you scroll through the playlists, finding one that is full of old rock songs that have been made into soft lullabies.

"Alright love. Close your eyes and listen to the music okay?" You say softly, kissing her temple in an effort to comfort her.

"No! Not dis song!" Grace is upset, and frustrated at the song that is playing softly through her speakers.

"Okay, I'll change the song." you click the arrows on the ipod, changing the music to the next song. I Heard it Through the Grapevine plays through the speakers.

An audible growl is released as Grace shows her obvious annoyance, again just like her father when he gets really irritated.

"Oh goodness Gracie. What is the deal?" You're worried. She is typically not picky about the music she listens to, and you can see tears starting to well up in her eyes.

"Not dis song!" Grace's cheeks start to get wet from her tears; she kicks her feet in exasperation, trying her hardest to express how she is feeling.

"Do you want Disney?" You ask calmly.

"No!" Her voice is firm and loud.

"Okay, what about piano music?" You try something completely different this time.

"No! No! No!" Grace says again; this time she is full blown crying and upset.

"Gracie girl. Breathe, love. It's okay." You attempt to make her calm by asking her to breathe. "What about Daddy? Do you want to listen to daddy?"

"Want daddy." Grace says softly as she attempts to take a deep breath, her voice hitches as she catches the air, bringing it into her lungs. "Want daddy song." She says softly.

"Okay. Do you want your song?" you ask her, rubbing your thumb against her cheek, wiping the tears off her skin.

"Wob Bug." Grace closes her eyes, pulling Bob closer to her body, calming her breathing and her emotions.

"I can do that." You search the ipod for Harry's album, finding the song that he wrote about his daughter. The opening bars of Love Bug filter through the speakers, washing over both you and Grace, creating a feeling of peace and calm.

Resting your head on your arms, you watch as your daughter closes her eyes, listening to her father sing the beautiful song. The crinkles on her forehead are smoothed out as her body is in a complete state of calm.

His voice has a way of creating an atmosphere that is loving and happy. A space that draws people in and makes them experience every note being played. The music he creates speaks more than just the words, it creates emotions unlike anything you have ever experienced. In this moment, while he is singing about the little baby girl you both created, you and Grace can feel the love that Harry feels for his favorite girls. His voice surrounds you and your daughter in a blanket of warmth, bringing Harry home, inside your heart.

Grace is asleep before the song is finished. Soft whimpers leave her lips as she is pulled into a deep sleep where she can dream of summertime and butterflies. Standing up, you kiss her forehead for the final time tonight. Reaching the door, you glance into your daughter's room, leaving the music your husband has created to play in the background softly. Reminding Grace that even though her father is not physically here, he is always part of her life.