“Daddy.”
I blinked.
“Huh?”
Cadence giggled.
“Thank you.”
“Welcome, Princess.”
“What’s wrong, Mama?” I turned from the mirror to face her fully. “What can I do to assure you that I got you and my baby before we leave this house?”
“It’s not that.” She shook her head, then stopped herself, like she was trying to find the actual words instead of the easy ones. “I’m still processing us being a family. Out loud. In public. Walking into a room and not having to worry about anyone’s opinion of us.”
I opened my arms.
“Come here.”
She crossed the foyer and stepped into me carefully, mindful of the dress. I wrapped her up anyway, silk and all.
“I dreamed about nights like this,” I said into her hair. “You in a sexy dress, my child’s hand in mine, walking in together, just living our life. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I don’t need a crowd or cheers to do that. Just you.”
She breathed out slowly against my chest, and I felt her settle into my arms more. “You ready?”
She stepped back, inhaled, and nodded.
We headed out. We stepped outside just as Kareem pulled the limo up to the front steps.
“A LIMO?” She took off across the yard, poofy dress and all. Her little heels clicked against the walkway. “I’m a real princess.”
“Watch the grass, baby,” Skye called after her. “You’ll ruin your shoes.”
“Oh, you’ve created a monster.” She laughed bumping my shoulder. “I hope you can keep this up.”
Cadence stopped so fast her dress swished around her legs. Her eyes got big.
“Daddy!” She gasped. “My wand!”
Skye closed her eyes for a second.
“Cadence Noelle...”
“Please?” She clasped her little hands together. “I promise I won’t bop anybody. I’ll play nice.”
I looked over at Skye.
“That’s exactly what you said before ballet.”
“Baby, just let her have it tonight.”
“Ducane.”
I reached into the backseat and pulled out the wand first.
“She’s a princess.”
Then I reached back in and held up the little rhinestone tiara she’d insisted on packing.