My Girl

Author’s Note: A little Valentine’s Day fluff to make you smile.  I hope you all have a happy day filled with love and laughter.   xoxo -T 😘

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Drake stood in front of the full-length mirror in their private bedchambers, smoothing and straightening the fabric of his light grey suit.  Normally he despised wearing this thing, or any suit for that matter, but tonight he was actually looking forward to it. He had a big date with his special lady and he was determined to make it as memorable as possible for her … suit and all.

He had been planning this evening for over a month now, ever since she dropped the hint after a night out about how beautiful the restaurant was.  You’d think by now she’d be accustomed to all the candlelight, white table linens and floral arrangements from the endless galas they attended, but for some reason this tiny little Italian restaurant with red-checkered tablecloths had captured her heart.  So that was that and he’d called the very next day to make a reservation for two on this special evening.

He went to the armoire to select a tie, finally settling on the pink floral one she’d gifted him last Valentine’s Day.  He smiled as he recalled opening the long slender box last year, the way her eyes had been fixated on him as he unwrapped it, waiting impatiently to see his reaction. And of course he loved it … he loved anything she picked out especially for him.

As he finished securing his tie, giving it one last quick tug of adjustment, he peered at himself in the mirror one last time.  He raked his hair back with his fingers, then rubbed a palm over the short beard adorning his face. Although the years had been kind to him, he was starting to notice the little hints of age upon his visage, the tiny lines of maturity becoming more visible with each passing year.  The shallow wrinkles were hard to fend off for too long with all the laughter and love that had echoed in these halls over time. They did call them smile lines for reason, you know.

He set off down the hall towards the parlor to his designated waiting area, resigning himself that it could be two minutes or it could be an hour before his date was ready.  As he rounded a corner and approached the children’s rooms, he found himself face-to-face with his beautiful wife of eight years.

“Well don’t you look handsome, Mr. Walker.”  Emma studied him appraisingly, a smug grin on her lips when she finally settled on his face.  She cupped her hands around the nape of his neck, leaning up on her tippy-toes to press a sweet kiss to his lips.  “You clean up nice.”

Drake smiled as they separated, swiftly dipping down to capture one more kiss before he let her get too far away.  “Thank you. This suit has always brought me good luck.”

“I’ll say … I remember the first time I saw you wearing this.” Emma quirked an eyebrow playfully, the delicious vision replaying in her mind’s eye.  

“I remember as well.  You couldn’t keep your hands off me, Temptress.”  He gave her a sly wink, causing her to chuckle fondly.

“It’s a good thing I married you for more than how well you fill out a suit, Drake … seeing as how you used to complain so much about having to wear one.”  

“But not tonight.” Drake whispered, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her tight.  

She could feel his warm breath against her cheeks as he held her close. For a moment it made her forget herself, made her want to forgo all their evening’s plans and get tangled up in their bed together until the sun came up.  But then she remembered … “No, not tonight.” She replied softly, the corners of her lips turned up in a knowing smile as she allowed him to kiss her one more time before-

“Eewwww!”  A tiny voice erupted behind Emma, followed by a melody of giggles.  They both turned their heads to find four-year-old Jackson staring up at his parents from the doorway of his bedroom, hiding his snickers behind his chubby little fingers.

“Don’t you ‘eewwww’ me Mister!”  Drake growled as he bent down to scoop up his son, attacking the young boy with his fingers tickling his side until the boy squealed with laughter.  

“Stop it, Dada!  Stop!” Jackson’s pleas came out in short bursts between laughs.

“Fine, fine.”  Drake chuckled low as he finally halted his assault.  He perched Jackson on his hip and leaned away to peer into his eyes.  “So Jacks, what exactly do you have planned for my beautiful wife this Valentine’s evening?”

Jackson beamed, his cheeks rounded in wide smile accented by two dimples that mirrored his mother’s.  “We’re gonna watch the LEGO movie and make pizza!” He shrieked loudly in his father’s ear and jumped in excitement, temporarily deafening his old man.

“That sounds like an excellent night.  And I see you’ve dressed up for the occasion.”  Drake surveyed the boy, who sported his favorite worn LEGO pajamas.

“Mommy and I are having a pajama party!”  Jackson clapped as Drake set him down beside his mother, immediately hugging at the leg of her cozy flannel pants.  She nodded her head in agreement, ruffling his hair with her fingers as the boy nestled against her waist.

“Now you be good to her, Jacks.  Remember what I taught you about being a gentleman.”  Drake gave him a stern look, trying his best to suppress the proud smile he was holding back.

“Yes sir.”  Jackson agreed, smiling as he snuggled in closer to his mother.

Drake looked down at his suit, smoothing out the wrinkles that had accumulated from his recent hugs and tickles.  “And what about your sister? Is she almost ready?” His eyes flicked back up to meet Emma’s, who smiled knowingly and gave him a discreet nod.  

“I’m ready, Daddy.”  Drake heard the quiet, delicate voice behind him, his heart swelling in anticipation as he turned his head.

Harper stood in the hallway outside of her room, her hands clasped primly behind her back.  She wore a tea-length pink chiffon dress, her light chestnut locks lightly curled and pulled back in matching bow.  For a moment Drake forgot how to breath, so enamored with this beautiful young girl that had captured his heart on that night six years ago.

“Daddy?”  Harper asked, her eyebrows quirked curiously at him.  Just like her mother …

“Sorry, Baby Girl, you just …” Drake swallowed hard as he fumbled for the words, kneeling down before her to run a thumb across her cheek.  “You just look so beautiful.”

“Aww, Daddy!” Harper shoved her father playfully and looked away, her cheeks flushing a shade of light pink to match her dress.

“Well you do …” Drake smiled proudly as he stood upright, extending his broad hand out to offer it to his daughter.  “Shall we?”

Harper peered up at him fondly, placing her tiny hand within his.  “Yes please.”

“You two have fun!” Emma called from down the hall.  “And don’t stay out too late … it’s a school night.”  

“Yes Mom …” Drake groaned exaggeratedly, rolling his eyes dramatically and causing his little lady to giggle loudly as they made their way towards the garage.

“Daddy?” Harper’s tiny voice inquired softly as they walked hand-in-hand towards their automotive chariot.  “Is it true we’re really going to that restaurant? The one with the candles and the red tablecloths?”

“Of course we are.”  Drake replied, squeezing her hand as he beamed down at his daughter.  “Only the best for My Girl.”

END