Daddy's Bunny {Book One}

𐙚 ⋮ 2. flight ꒱ ‧₊˚

⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆‧｡⋆

I realize that perhaps it's silly of me to worry, but I can't help feeling anxious for Gracie's arrival. I sit at my desk, feeling terrible. "Pick yourself up" Nate says, bluntly. "Why? What if she's cranky? Or jet lagged? Nate, what if she's hungry, or anxious? What if she doesn't want to be touched? What if she suddenly realizes I'm not what she wants? Wh-"

"Stop." I stare at him in awe. "Stop it right now. She is completely in love with you. Don't you see it? The second she sees you, she's going to need the full experience. She'll not only want to be touched, but if I know anything about her, she'll want you to carry her... for the next week." I chuckle hesitantly, "Maybe you're right. I'm just so worried I'll mess this up." "David," Nate starts. "You've been with her for three years. If she hasn't begun to resent you by now, she never will." He laughs as though I'm some intolerable mess. "Ha ha. Very funny, Nate. Go back to your office and talk to Karrson if I'm such a hassle." I reply sarcastically. "You know I love you. You also know I will basically never pass up an opportunity to give my adorable little one the affection and validation they deserve. So with that, good day." He bows dramatically and continues on his way.

⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆‧｡⋆

The flight feels even lonelier than the airport did. I just want my daddy. So I sit quietly, hoping for it to be over, but of course I never catch a break. The man in the seat across from me is burning holes into my cheek with his eyes. I can feel his gaze on me, and his labored breathing is pretty loud. I steal glances to see if he's still looking at me, being careful not to meet his eyes. He begins to get up from his seat, probably to sit in either of the open seats next to me, when a red-haired woman approaches.

"Is there a problem here?" she asks firmly. I swiftly shake my head no. "No, I believe there is definitely a problem, is he bothering you, sweetheart?" She asks, raising her voice so the flight attendant hears her. The man begins to make an excuse, but she cuts him off, "I don't really care what half-assed response you're about to throw my way. Sit in your own damn seat, or I'll have you removed." The man sits and occupies himself with a book, and the flight attendants return to their conversation. It takes a moment, but I recognize her. She's one of David's closest friends and colleagues, Luna, returning to her seat from assisting her regressed little in the bathroom. They sit down in the empty seats next to me.

"Hi.." says the little sheepishly. "I'm Charlie." She folds her hands tightly into her lap and looks down. "Hi" I reply quietly. "I'm Emma." She smiles slowly, as I drop my ipad carefully into her lap. "I'm watching Hello Kitty, if you wanna watch with me." I offer. "Can I, mommy?" Charlie begs. "Only until we land. Then I expect both of you to do something a little more stimulating. After all, we didn't get all those markers for them to sit in the bottom of mommy's purse." Charlie and I giggle at the silly idea that the markers would not be entirely used up within the next week or so.

⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆‧｡⋆

I pace my office, trying not to worry sick over Em being all alone on a plane. My phone buzzes in my pocket, it's a message from Luna. It says:

Luna Miller 6:05pm - Hey bud, found your little girl out in the wild! Keeping her safe for you, she's in good hands.
xoxo, Lu.

Relief washes over me. I had forgotten that Luna was attending a conference in Cincinnati, and was on her way home now with Charlie at the same time that Emma was flying out here. I shoot her a text back:

David Alden 6:06pm - Youre a lifesaver, Lu. Thanks for watching her, I know she was really nervous to be alone.

⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚ʚɞ˚‧｡⋆‧｡⋆