Adeline hadn't been struggling with Winter's hair but, she since etheybhad their annual family gala aprouching they, meaning 'adeline' decided to get her hair professional done.
The suggestion came from Maria during their weekly coffee date, dropped as casually as sugar into a latte.
"You need Ms. Denise," Maria said, sliding her phone across the table. "She's a miracle worker with curly hair, especially mixed kids'. Those beaded braids she does? Your girl would look like a little queen."
Adeline stared at the photos on Maria's phone, guilt gnawing at her stomach. "Davian's... particular about who handles Winter's hair."
"Girl, that man wouldn't know a twist-out from a wash-and-go if it hit him in the face." Maria's eyebrows shot up. "And let's be real - your straight-hair expertise isn't exactly cutting it either."
She was right. Davian's solution to hair care was calling Adeline, and their sons had once seriously suggested shaving Winter's head when it got tangled.
That's how Adeline found herself pulling up to a neat little house early Saturday morning, feeling like she was running some kind of covert operation. Winter bounced in her car seat, delighted by their secret adventure.
Ms. Denise turned out to be a grandmother-type with elegant silver streaks in her dark hair and hands that moved like they held magic. She took one look at Winter's curls and smiled. "Oh honey, we're gonna make you feel like the princess you are."
For the next few hours, Adeline watched in awe as Ms. Denise transformed Winter's hair into art. Each braid was perfect, adorned with tiny clear and gold beads that caught the light. She'd even worked a heart pattern into the crown, just as Winter had shyly requested.
The beads made a gentle clicking sound when Winter moved, like tiny wind chimes. "Mommy, my hair makes music!"
Of course, their covert mission fell apart the moment they walked through their front door.
"What happened to her hair?" Davian's voice carried from his office, sharp with surprise.
Winter twirled, her beads singing. "Ms. Denise made it pretty, Daddy! Look at my hearts!"
"Ms. Denise?" His eyes narrowed at Adeline. "And who exactly is Ms. Denise?"
Adeline lifted her chin. "A professional stylist with thirty years of experience who comes highly recommended by every Black mother in town, including Maria."
She could see him gearing up for a lecture about security protocols and background checks, but then Winter spun again, her face glowing with joy as her beads caught the light.
"Do you like my princess hair, Daddy?"
Davian's expression softened, protest dying on his lips. The beads sparkled like tiny stars, matching the shine in Winter's eyes.
"You look beautiful, tesoro," he admitted, then gave Adeline a look that clearly said this wasn't over. "But next time, we do this properly. With security checks."
"Of course, amore." Adeline bit back a smile. "Whatever you say."
That night, as Adeline carefully arranged Winter's braids on the silk pillowcase Ms. Denise had insisted they use, Winter looked up at her with those big brown eyes. "Can we go see Ms. Denise again?"
"Of course, bambino." Adeline kissed her forehead. "It'll be our special adventure."
Because sometimes the best things in life didn't need background checks or security clearance. Sometimes they just needed a mother's intuition, a friend's recommendation, and a wise woman with magic in her hands who knew exactly how to make a little girl feel like royalty.
And if Davian later ran a complete background check on Ms. Denise (who turned out to have a spotless record and three degrees in cosmetology), well, that could be their little secret too.
