Chapter 17 (The End)

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Chapter 17

“Daddy, daddy” Olivia said running into the living room. “What is it sweetie?” I asked her while putting my cup of coffee on the table. “Can you read this book for me?” she said and handed over a book that she had hid behind her back. “Of course I can” I told her and lifted her up on my lap. But she quickly refused it and slipped right back onto the floor. “In the tent daddy.” She grabbed my hand and dragged me towards her bedroom.

The tent Olivia and Julie had made weeks ago where still there. Olivia had refused to take it down, stubborn like her mother. White sheets where hanging down for the ceiling and created a room big enough for two people. How they managed to make it together was a question never to be answered. The floor was filled with pillow in pastel colours and pink. The Christmas lights hang from the top and went in a circle halfway down. That reminded me to buy new Christmas lights soon, because there was no chance Olivia would give up on these.

I crawled into the tent and Olivia soon followed me and curled up in my lap. “Daddy?” she asked. “Yes sweetie” “Can we keep this tent forever?” “Of course we can” I said and started to read from the book she had found. Olivia smiled from ear to ear and laughed of the different voices I made for the characters in the book. “The princess leaned down to him and kissed the frog on the lips” I read. “Ew” Olivia mumbled and turned to another page. I couldn’t help but laugh at her actions. “Read daddy.” I looked at my watch. “We will have to do that later because we got to go soon” I said and she looked at me weird. “Where are we going?” “We are going to daddy’s work so you have to go and get dressed because you can’t wear your pyjamas all day.” “Why not daddy?” she asked.

Olivia looked at me with her cute brown puppy eyes. How could I say no to that face? “Come on, off you go” I said and lifted her up. She ran out of the tent. Olivia had already opened up her drawers to look for clothes to wear. She picked out some trousers and one of the many Arsenal jerseys she had been given from friends and family. Olivia was still so young but stubborn as a grown woman. She wanted to do anything by herself, choosing everything from clothes to shoes to food. “Do you want some help with that Olivia?” “No daddy. I can do it myself” she said pulling the jersey over her head.

“Can you fix my hair?” she asked. After trying it numerous times on Julie and Olivia I had eventually learned to do a simple braid by Julie. Olivia wanted to have long hair just like Rapunzel, one of the many princesses that we read bedtime stories about. I made a braid that fell over left shoulder. “Is that ok Olivia?” “It’s ok dad.”

She ran down the hall and on her back it said ‘Dad’ and the number 16 below. I met up with her in the hall and she was all over her shoes. Olivia was almost four years old and already owned more shoes than I had all my life. Everyone spoiled her off with new things, especially Julie. She was a big spender on Olivia. I guess all she wants is a little girl. “Shoe” Olivia demanded and I got down on one knee to tie her shoelaces. She headed for the front door but I stopped her before she reached it. “Jacket and hat, its cold outside” I said and handed over a hat and a jacket that she put on. Olivia could barely stand still. She knew what was going on. Going to daddy’s work meant she was going to the Emirates. “Olivia, you have to stand still. Chin up” I said and she looked up. I zipped up the jacket and she was ready to go. I got my own on and locked the front door. Olivia stood right beside me with her mouth wide open. “Daddy, it’s snowing” she said dragging in my jacket. “Yes I know. It’s almost Christmas now.” I grabbed her hand and we walked towards the car. “Santa Claus?” she asked looking up at me. “Yes, Santa Claus is coming then.”

The drive wasn’t long. The new house was closer to the Emirates and Jack’s house. Olivia and I had moved here when she was just four months old. The apartment we used to live in with Adrianna had so many memories and it was too hard to live there. We therefore moved closer to Jack and Julie. Right next door actually. I parked the car and helped Olivia out of her seat in the back. She took my hand as we walked towards the Emirates. It was the member day at the Emirates. I usually didn’t like to attend to these events when I had too but now that I had Olivia it was different. I understood how parents were so happy for their kids, taking pictures and us being their heroes.

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