“Wow,” he breathes, “you look amazing.”
“Thanks,” Danny whispers with a blush on her cheeks. She steps forward and takes hold of Reed’s hand, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Let’s take photos so we can go, or we’ll be late.”
Watching my little girl smiling up at Reed while Della and Miss Sebastian take a dozen photos each, I realize my princess is changing into a beautiful woman.
I turn around as emotions swamp me, and walk out the front door before anyone can notice. At least, that’s what I think until Danny calls after me.
I stop and watch as she walks toward me. When she’s standing in front of me, she asks, “You’re leaving without saying goodbye?”
I shake my head. “No, princess. I’m just getting some fresh air.”
She’s always had an uncanny ability to know what I’m thinking and feeling.
Taking hold of my hand in both of hers, she takes a step forward.
“Uncle Ledge, no one will ever be able to replace you in my life. Every time I’ve felt like a princess, it was because of you. You’ve taught me that I should never settle for a man who treats me as anything less.”
I smile as I swallow back the tears, and pressing a kiss to her temple, I whisper, “I love you, Princess. Have fun at the ball.”
“Love you now and always, Uncle Ledge,” she whispers as she lets go of my hand and wrap her arms around my waist.
I hold her close, and as I close my eyes, I whisper, “Now and always, Princess.”
∞∞∞
(Five years later…)
“Little Bean,” I yell so my voice will carry to the house.
“You called, Daddy?” Jade says. She comes over to where I’m standing in front of the flower bed.
“Yeah,” I say, glancing at my daughter. “Come stand here by me.” I hold my hand out to her.
She links our fingers together and stares up at my face, waiting to hear why I called her.
Jade got Evie’s red curls, but my dark eyes. She’s just turned fourteen. My heart constricts every time I notice how she looks less like my little bean, and more like a young woman.
“Keep your eye on the flowers,” I say, as I turn my gaze back to the garden.
We wait a while in silence when Jade whispers, “What are we waiting for?”
“You’ll see in a second,” I whisper back.
Finally, the little bird makes its appearance, it’s wings flapping so fast all we see is a blur.
“Aww…” Jade whispers.
We keep still as we watch the hummingbird gather spiderwebs before flying back to a nearby tree.
“Why did she take the spiderweb?” Jade asks.
“She’s building a nest. Soon we’ll have teeny, tiny hummingbirds. I looked up the meaning when I first saw the hummingbird. Did you know their wings create the infinity symbol when in flight?”
“No, but it’s awesome,” Jade replies.
“Yeah, your Aunt Leigh will like that fact. Tell her next time you see her.”
Getting to the reason I called my daughter out here, I get down on one knee in front of her and open my right hand. The promise ring I got Jade looks tiny where it’s lying on my palm.