The Seasons

Spring - Part Two

Time for some more Vince and Sammy! I loved writing about Jenny, too!

- Cam x

Part Two

Jenny and I walked through the botanical gardens. It was still chilly enough to wear a coat and scarf, and it was drizzling slightly, but the gardens were still beautiful. Jenny splashed in every puddle she could find, and I was very thankful Meredith had brought her wellies. She giggled, pushing her hair out of her face, jumping and sending water flying everywhere. I smiled fondly. Kids were great. They automatically sought out the best in things.

"Jenny, not too far!" I called as she dashed off. She stuck her arms out like an aeroplane and ran around making noises, pretending to be a plane. I kept an eye on her, watching her movements, but my mind kept wandering to my date.

"Jellybean," I said, rushing to catch up to her. "Is it okay if we go to the hairdressers later? I need a haircut. But it's okay if you think that'll be too boring."

"Yes, Daddy," she said, hopping about. "I'm a frog!"

I grinned. "Okay, well, in that case, I'm a big pond monster and I'm coming to get you!"

She shrieked in delight and ran off, me chasing her extra slowly so she could get a head start. "I'm coming to get you!" I did my best evil laugh, as she hid behind a bench. "Oh no! Where has the little frog gone? No! My evil plans are foiled again!"

"Ribbit," Jenny giggled from her hiding spot.

"Aha! I have found the little frog!" I said triumphantly, poking my head around the bench only to get splashed with puddle water. I pretended to be injured, sinking to the floor. "No! The frog has defeated me! I am defeated!"

Jenny giggled again and hopped over to me, and I grabbed her and got up from the floor, swinging around. "I got the frog!"

"No!!!" she shrieked, trying to wriggle free. I started to tickle her, and she gave up, giggling loudly. "Daddy no!"

I grinned and swung her on top of my shoulders, not caring that her soaking wet shoes were against my chest. You got used to being messy when you had a kid. "Shall we go to the greenhouse bit and get a hot chocolate?"

"Yes," she enthused, grabbing onto my hair. "Giddy-up!"

"I'm a horse now?" I asked, and she nodded. I sighed. "Hold on tight, then!" I started galloping lightly towards the large greenhouse, feeling her giggle and hold on tight as she bounced around on my shoulders. We got inside where it was warmer, and I got a large coffee for me and a small hot chocolate for Jenny, which still looked huge in her tiny hands.

"Drink it slowly," I warned her, ruffling her hair. "And wait for it to cool down a bit."

Jenny was munching on the marshmallows they had given her. My kid had such an unbelievable sweet tooth. "Daddy," she said.

"Yes, Jellybean?" I asked her.

"Is that man from this morning your boyfriend?" she asked, causing me to slightly choke on a sip of my coffee.

"No," I coughed, wishing a hole in the ground could appear and swallow me up. "What makes you say that?"

"Dean bought flowers for Mummy," Jenny explained. "And that man bought flowers for you."

I smiled affectionately; she thought Vince was my boyfriend because of similar behaviour she had seen with Meredith and her new partner. "There are lots of reasons to give flowers to people, sweetie. He got us flowers to display at the café because they're very pretty and make the café look pretty."