Fifteen ✨

Alex 🖤

I looked down at my baby girl, who had already drifted off to sleep against my chest. Her steady breathing, soft and rhythmic, was the only sound in the quiet room, and I couldn’t help but smile at how peaceful she looked. Her long lashes rested gently against her cheeks, and her lips were slightly parted in the cutest way. Even in sleep, she clung to me, her tiny hand curled around the fabric of my shirt as if afraid I might disappear.

Earlier, when I saw how jealous and insecure she had been over that girl in the parking lot, it made me unhappy. Not because of her feelings—those were natural—but because I hated the idea that she doubted my love for her, even for a second. Nicole was my everything, and seeing her so vulnerable tugged at my heart. That’s why I’d decided to set up this entire evening—to remind her how special she was to me, how much she meant. I wanted her to feel cherished, adored, and absolutely secure in the fact that I was hers, and only hers.

The fort, the snacks, the movie—it was all for her. It wasn’t just about spoiling her with things she liked. It was about creating a space where she felt safe, loved, and most importantly, where she could forget about all her worries. Seeing her smile when I showed her the setup earlier made it all worth it. The way her eyes lit up, how she practically bounced with excitement—those were the moments I lived for.

Luckily, we had the house to ourselves tonight. Daisy, our housekeeper, was on a week’s leave to visit her family, and our dad was away on a business trip, which gave me the perfect opportunity to spend time alone with Nicole. I could spoil her the way I wanted to without interruptions, without having to worry about anyone else seeing our little moments together. It was just the two of us, and that’s how I liked it.

The movie was almost over, the soft glow from the laptop casting gentle shadows across the room as the animated characters on the screen played out their final scenes. Nicole had fallen asleep halfway through, her head resting comfortably on my chest, her body curled up against mine. I held her close, not wanting to move just yet. Moments like these were rare and precious—when it was just the two of us, without any of the usual complications or worries.

I watched the last few minutes of the film, my hand lightly stroking her hair as I felt the rise and fall of her breaths. There was something so calming about holding her like this, about knowing that she trusted me completely, even in her sleep. I loved being the one she leaned on, the one who made her feel safe.

Once the movie ended and the credits began to roll, I gently shifted Nicole off me, careful not to wake her. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, only murmuring softly as I took her to her room, got her into bed and laid her back against the pillows. I pulled the blankets up over her legs, tucking her in with care. Her nightie, the soft pink one with tiny polka dots, looked almost too delicate on her, and I couldn’t help but smile at how adorable she looked, even now.

With her settled in, I glanced around the room, realizing I still had a few things to take care of. I didn’t want to leave her without her favorite stuffies, so I went back to the playroom to retrieve Gigi and Mr. Oopa. They were sitting right where we’d left them earlier, still propped up in the fort we’d made. I picked them up, taking a moment to admire the fort before turning off the laptop and dimming the lights.

The playroom felt almost magical now, with the remnants of our little evening still scattered around—the blankets, the pillows, the half-eaten snacks. It was like a small, private world we had created, one where it was just the two of us. I knew she loved these little moments, and I was already thinking of ways to make the next one even more special.

With Gigi and Mr. Oopa in hand, I headed back to Nicole’s room. She was still fast asleep, her breathing soft and even, her face completely relaxed. I placed her stuffies on either side of her, arranging them so they were within easy reach when she woke up. Mr. Oopa was tucked right under her arm, and Gigi lay next to her pillow, both of them watching over her, just like they always did.

I stood there for a moment, just watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful, her dark hair splayed out across the pillow, her body curled up slightly under the blankets. This was my favorite version of her—the one that was completely unguarded, completely at ease. I loved seeing her like this, knowing that I had done something to make her feel safe and happy.

After making sure everything was in place, I quietly slipped into bed beside her. The bed dipped slightly under my weight, and for a second, I held my breath, worried that I might wake her. But Nicole didn’t stir. Instead, she instinctively shifted closer to me, her body gravitating toward mine as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

I smiled as I pulled the blankets over both of us, wrapping my arm around her waist and drawing her closer. She sighed softly in her sleep, settling into the warmth of my embrace. There was something so right about this—about being here with her, in this quiet, peaceful space where nothing else mattered.

As I lay there, holding her, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. The tension and worry from earlier were long gone, replaced by a deep sense of calm. Nicole was mine, and I was hers. There was no doubt about that. Whatever insecurities or fears she had would fade away, because I would always be there to remind her how much she meant to me.

I pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. “Goodnight, baby girl,” I whispered, my voice barely audible in the quiet room. “I love you.”

And with that, I closed my eyes, holding her close as sleep began to pull me under. Tonight had been perfect, and I knew that as long as I had Nicole by my side, every night could be just as perfect too.

The first rays of morning light barely crept through the curtains as I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Nicole. The house was quiet, still wrapped in the peaceful silence of dawn. I headed downstairs to the kitchen, my steps light, already planning out the morning routine in my head. I wanted everything to be perfect for her—breakfast made, clothes laid out, and no rush. She hated feeling rushed.

The smell of fresh coffee filled the kitchen as I brewed a pot and set about making breakfast. Eggs, toast, and a little fruit on the side—simple but something she'd like. I checked the time, knowing she would need to be up soon to avoid being late for school. After placing her plate on the table, I made my way back upstairs.

When I reached her room, I paused for a moment by the door, a small smile tugging at my lips. Through the slightly ajar door, I could see her tangled up in her blanket, hair spread out like a messy halo across her pillow. She was clutching Gigi, her stuffed animal, to her belly, her peaceful face telling me she was still deep in sleep.

I pushed the door open gently and stepped inside, moving to sit on the edge of her bed. The mattress dipped slightly under my weight, but she didn’t stir. For a moment, I just watched her, taking in how innocent and carefree she looked when she slept, like the world couldn't touch her in these quiet moments.

“Wake up, princess,” I said in a low voice, leaning closer.

She groaned softly, burying her face deeper into her pillow and clutching Gigi tighter. A small smile crept onto my lips at her reluctance.

“Come on, baby girl,” I coaxed, brushing some strands of hair out of her face. “You don’t want to be late for school today, do you?”

Still no response except for a quiet huff. She turned over slightly, her eyelids fluttering but refusing to open. I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Her mornings was like this—a battle between her love for sleep and the reality of having to get up.

I leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Wake up, sweetheart. It’s a new day,” I whispered.

Her eyes finally blinked open, hazy and unfocused as they adjusted to the morning light. She blinked a few more times, then locked her sleepy gaze on me, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Good morning, baby girl,” I said with a warm smile, my voice soft.

“Mornin', daddy,” she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.

I leaned in and kissed her cheek, savoring the small giggle that escaped her lips. She stretched lazily, her arms reaching above her head before she sat up. Without a word, she scooted closer to me and crawled into my lap, nestling her face against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her instinctively, holding her close as she cuddled into me, her warmth spreading through my shirt.

“Not ready for today?” I asked, brushing my hand over her hair. She shook her head, her face still buried in my chest.

A low chuckle escaped me. "I figured as much." I tilted her chin up with my finger and looked into her sleepy eyes. “But guess what? I made your breakfast, and I’ve got everything ready for you. All you need to do is brush your teeth, freshen up, and get dressed.”

She let out a soft sigh, clearly not thrilled at the idea of leaving my lap. But after a moment, she wriggled out of my arms and padded towards the bathroom, dragging her feet across the floor. I watched her disappear behind the door, smiling to myself at how adorable she looked in the mornings, so unguarded and soft.

While she freshened up, I got up and moved to her closet, where I had already picked out her outfit the night before. I pulled out the neatly folded clothes—a light pink blouse with delicate lace trim and a matching pleated skirt. It was simple but chic, perfect for school and comfortable enough to get her through the day. I laid it carefully on her bed, smoothing out any wrinkles, then sat back down to wait for her.

After a few minutes, I heard the soft patter of her feet coming back into the room. Nicole stood in the doorway, her face clear from sleep as she was freshly showered with her bathroom robe wrapped around her. She looked at me expectantly, then at the clothes on the bed.

“I already picked this for you, princess. Go ahead and get dressed, okay?” I said gently.

She gave a little nod,I gave her privacy, walking into her closet and she began to slip into the clothes I had chosen for her. As she dressed, I went over to her vanity table and started getting her hair supplies ready—brushes, ties, and her favorite strawberry-scented detangler.

Once she was dressed, Nicole walked in and plopped down on the small stool in front of her vanity and waited patiently while I started working on her hair. I ran the brush gently through her locks, untangling the knots from her restless sleep. Her hair was always so soft and smooth under my hands, and I loved these quiet moments we shared in the mornings.

"How do you want your hair today, princess?" I asked, my voice soft.

Nicole glanced at herself in the mirror, then up at me. “I don’t know... something pretty.”

I smiled, already having an idea. “How about a half ponytail with little bangs framing your face? It’ll look perfect with your outfit.”

She gave a small, sleepy nod, trusting me to make her look just right. I carefully sectioned off her hair, tying the top half into a neat ponytail and leaving a few strands loose to fall around her face. Once I was done, I stepped back to admire my work.

“There, all done. You look beautiful, baby girl,” I said proudly.

She beamed at her reflection, her fingers lightly brushing the ends of her hair. “Thanks, daddy.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now, let’s get some breakfast before we’re really running late,” I said, taking her hand and leading her downstairs.

At the table, Nicole's plate of eggs and toast waited for her. She climbed onto her chair, and started to eat. I sat across from her, watching with quiet satisfaction as she enjoyed her breakfast, the morning now fully in motion.

After eating and cleaning up, we walked out to the garage and left for her school. When I parked the car in the school,i turned to look at Nicole who was already staring at me expectantly.

"See you in the afternoon, baby girl." I leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. "Bye daddy." She whispered, picking her bag and bottle and got down from the car walking admist other students into the school.