Between my legs, a particular part of my anatomy realizes it as well.
I lead her to the dance floor and even though the song isn’t really slow, she puts her arms around me and sways like it is. I love that. Sure, I love when a little girl has a lot of energy but I really love the feel of her body against mine as we move slowly and sweetly to the music, regardless of the tempo. I move one hand to her side and the other to the small of her back and she nestles against me as the music plays. Then, she lifts her head up and stares at me in horror.
“I called you, Daddy!” she says.
I smile at her and say, “I know. Would you feel better about it if I call you little girl? Just for tonight, I mean?”
She nods, the embarrassed look still on her face. I kiss her forehead and say, “Okay little girl.” I can feel her tenseness disappear with the kiss and the words. When we get back to the table, I can see Sara Jean is almost bursting with excitement. Something’s up. Jackson lets me in on the secret when he says, “I’m afraid we have to take off. Something my little girl and I have to talk about.” To me, he says, “Would you mind taking Tabitha home?” He looked at Tabitha and said, “If that’s all right with you. We can drop you off right now, if you like.”
“Is it okay if I stay?” Tabitha asked me.
“I’d like that very much,” I said.
Sarah Jean and Jackson stood. I got a handshake from Robert and a hug from Sara Jean. Tabitha got a hug from both of them. Once they left, Tabitha asked, “Should I have called you Daddy? I mean, when I asked if it was okay to stay?”
I smiled and said, “You didn’t have to. Lots of little girls like to say it all the time. I think if you’re answering a question, especially if it’s a Daddy type question, using it is important but you did fine.”
“What’s a Daddy type question?” she asked.
“Like, are you ready to order little girl?”
She giggled and said, “Yes, Daddy.”
About an hour and a half later, as I stood with her on her front porch and she opened the door, I said, “Can I ask you another Daddy type question?”
She turned around with the cutest smile in the world and said, “Okay.” She was clearly having a hard time keeping herself from giggling.”
“Can I give you a goodnight kiss, little girl?”
He eyes light up and she lets out a sigh. “Yes, Daddy.”