Ten✨

Alex 🖤

The morning was still and quiet when I woke up, the soft light of dawn sneaking through the curtains. The clock on the bedside table read 6:02am, quite earlier than I usually wake up. But I can make use of the time since I am not too sleepy anymore.

I glanced over at my baby girl, who was still fast asleep beside me,her face peaceful, her lips slightly parted. She looked like an angel, a very beautiful one. Her body was curled under the bed cover with Mr Oopa and Gigi in her arms.

I smiled, my heart filled with warmth and love as I stared at her. I loved making up next to her like this every day. But she would not be getting up any time soon. Nicole is not a morning person especially on weekends.

Not wanting to disturb her, I carefully slipped out of the bed and left her room to mine. I threw on a pair of work out shorts and a tank top before heading down to the gym. The best way to spend such a quiet morning is to work out.

As I started my routines, push-ups, pull-ups and weights,i could not help but think about Nicole. Not just how beautiful she looks this morning or every time, also how lucky I am to have her in my life and our future together.

Nicole was everything to me, I loved being her daddy and taking care of her in her little space but lately I wanted more than to just be a daddy to her.

As I lifted weights, I started to plan. I want to ask her to be my girlfriend, make it all official. And I wanted to make it special that she would always remember the moment.

Maybe I could take her out for dinner, a romantic dinner, something intimate with just the two of us sitting under the starry sky.

The thought made my heart race with excitement. I could not wait to plan it all and see her reaction. She always has the cutest reactions and I can't wait to see more of them.

Just as I finished with the weights, dad came into the gym.

"Good morning, Alex." He said. "Hey dad. How have you been?" I asked, we have hardly seen him through out the whole week.

"So sorry I have been busy. How is Nicole doing?" He asked. "She is doing well, I helped her to prepare for a test last week and she passed." I said.

"Oh, Daisy told me you two spent the day at the beach yesterday." He folded his arm across his chest.

"Yeah, just a fun day out in the sun." I shrugged. "Are you travelling again?"

"Yeah, to Tokyo. Remember we are creating a new branch there. And I have to oversee it myself because it is on unfamiliar grounds." He replied.

"How long?"

"I'm not sure, I hope not more than two months." He took a deep breath.

"I hope you don't plan on missing Nicole's birthday, it's her first with you." I told him

"No, I won't. I will fly here in time if I am not through over there yet."

I only nodded. "I have to go pack. Let's have breakfast together." He said.

When dad left, I did a few more pull-ups.

By the time, I finished work out it was already half past seven. I wiped the sweat from my brows, grabbed my bottle of water and went back up to my room. To get ready for the day.

After a quick shower, I applied my usual body lotion and dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a simple polo shirt. Casual and comfortable for the day.

Once I was ready, I made my way back to Nicole’s room to wake her up.She was still asleep, sprawled out in bed with Gigi resting on her stomach and Mr. Oopa beside her pillow. Her hair, which had been in pigtails the night before, was now splayed out across the pillow, half coming undone.

She looked so peaceful, her chest rising and falling with each soft breath.I leaned down, brushing a strand of hair away from her face and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead."Good morning, princess," I whispered softly.

Nicole stirred slightly, her nose scrunching up in that adorable way she did when she was still half asleep. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked up at me, her gaze hazy with sleep.

"Daddy?" she mumbled, her voice groggy."Time to wake up, baby girl," I said, my voice gentle as I sat down on the edge of her bed.

Nicole groaned softly, burying her face in her pillow for a moment before peeking out at me again. "Too early," she muttered, her arms reaching out for me like a sleepy child.I chuckled, pulling her into my arms as she snuggled into my chest.

"It’s not that early, baby. Besides, dad wants to have breakfast with us. He is going on a business trip." I told her.

Nicole looked up at me with a smile because that meant we will be alone in the house without having to hide anything.

"But first, let’s get you up and ready for breakfast. Daisy’s probably already making something delicious downstairs."

That seemed to motivate her a little. Nicole yawned, stretching as she slowly sat up, her hair falling in wild curls around her face.

"Okay, but can you help me pick out something to wear?". "Of course, princess," I said, smiling at how cute she always was in the morning.

We went over to her closet, and after a few minutes of browsing, I helped her settle on a light blue sundress that brought out her eyes. She looked perfect, as always.

Once she was dressed, we headed downstairs to the kitchen, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air.

Daisy was already busy at the stove, humming softly to herself."Good morning, Daisy," I greeted her as we entered the kitchen."Good morning, Alex. Nicole," she replied warmly. "Breakfast will be ready in just a minute. Why don’t you two sit down?"I pulled out a chair for Nicole, and we sat down as

Daisy served us plates of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Nicole’s eyes lit up when she saw the spread, her excitement palpable."Thank you, Daisy," she said sweetly, reaching for the syrup.

Dad joined us. "Good morning, dad?" Nicole said to him

"Good morning, Nic. How was your night?" He asked.

"Great." She smiled and we all began to eat.

Dad left few minutes after breakfast with a promise to call Nicole and buy some things for her from the Asian market.

After breakfast, we spent the morning together before I decided to prepare for the special night.

"Baby girl" I called. We were sitting in the living room watching television. The latest movie, Despicable Me 4 was playing.

"Yes, daddy." She replied, not taking her eyes off the screen.

"I have to quickly go out and do some errands." I said to her. She looked up at me. "Can I come with?"

"No,but once I get back we are going out for dinner. How does that sound." I smiled.

"Hmm, how long will you be gone for?"

"Two hours, max."

The excitement bubbled in my chest as I grabbed my keys and headed out to meet Simone and Owen. I had two hours, just as I promised Nicole, to make this night perfect. As I drove through the quiet streets, my mind raced with ideas, but I wanted everything to be flawless — from the location to the mood, right down to the dress she would wear.

I pulled up outside a small café where Simone and Owen were waiting for me. Simone was perched on the hood of her car, her usual energetic self, while Owen leaned casually against the door, already holding his phone out, scrolling for ideas.

“Alright, lover boy,” Simone teased as I approached. “What’s the plan? You’ve got two hours to impress the girl of your dreams.”

I grinned. “I want tonight to be special. Somewhere intimate, under the stars, where I can ask her to be my girlfriend.”

Simone raised her eyebrows, clearly impressed. “Ambitious. But I like it. Let’s make this happen.” She pulled out her phone, quickly pulling up a list of nearby spots that could work.

Owen, more practical as always, tapped his chin thoughtfully. “There’s that new rooftop restaurant, but it’s kind of crowded, not exactly private. What about the park? There’s a quiet area near the lake with a perfect view of the sky.”

“That could work,” I said, thinking about the peaceful atmosphere Nicole always loved. “But I need it to feel more... special. Romantic.”

Simone snapped her fingers. “I know just the place. There’s a private garden downtown that rents out for small events. It’s beautiful, full of fairy lights, and there’s this cozy little gazebo overlooking a small pond. Super romantic, and no one else would be around.”

I could already picture it. The soft glow of lights reflecting off the water, the sound of the gentle breeze rustling the leaves, and Nicole’s face lighting up with that breathtaking smile of hers.

“That’s perfect,” I said, my heart racing at the thought. “Let’s go check it out.”

Simone made a quick call, pulling some strings to get us access to the garden. Owen and I followed her car as she led us through the city, finally arriving at the private garden tucked away between two old buildings. It was exactly what I had imagined — lush greenery, the soft glow of fairy lights strung up around the trees, and a cozy gazebo that seemed to have been built just for moments like these.

“This is perfect,” I said, looking around in awe. “Nicole’s going to love it.”

Owen nodded, already inspecting the setup. “We’ll need to add a few personal touches to make it really stand out. How about candles leading up to the gazebo, and maybe some roses?”

Simone was on the same wavelength. “We can pick up a bouquet and some candles. There’s a florist nearby.”

We split up to gather everything we needed. While Simone and Owen went to get the candles and flowers, I made a quick stop at a boutique that sold formal evening dresses. I knew exactly what I wanted to get Nicole. Baby pink aside from purple, had always been her color — soft, innocent, and perfect for her. I browsed through the racks until I found it: an elegant evening gown that was both simple and stunning.

The gown was baby pink, made of satin that shimmered softly in the light. The bodice was fitted, with delicate lace detailing that added a touch of romance. The skirt flowed down gracefully, long enough to brush the floor, but not too overwhelming. The straps were thin, and there was a subtle bow at the waist that gave the dress a sweet, almost ethereal vibe. It was perfect, and I could already imagine how beautiful Nicole would look in it.

I bought the dress, along with a matching pair of shoes, and headed back to the garden. By the time I arrived, Simone and Owen had already set up the candles, creating a soft, warm glow that led up to the gazebo. The roses were scattered along the path, their sweet scent filling the air.

“This is going to be amazing,” Simone said, grinning at the finished setup. “You’re really going all out, Alex.”

“I have to,” I replied, my excitement growing. “Nicole deserves it.”

We spent the next hour adding finishing touches. Owen made sure the lighting was just right, adjusting the fairy lights to cast the perfect romantic glow. Simone helped arrange the bouquet of roses on the table inside the gazebo, where we’d be having dinner. Everything was coming together perfectly.

By the time we finished, the garden looked like something out of a fairy tale. The gazebo was bathed in a soft, golden light, with roses lining the path and candles flickering gently in the breeze. It was exactly what I had imagined, and I couldn’t wait to see Nicole’s reaction.

I thanked Simone and Owen for their help, promising to tell them all about how the night went. Then, I headed home to get Nicole ready for our special evening.

When I arrived back at the house, Nicole was lounging on the couch, watching TV, her attention fixed on the screen. She looked up when I walked in, her eyes brightening.

“You’re back!” she said, jumping up to greet me. “Are we going to dinner now?”

“Not just any dinner, baby girl,” I said, grinning as I pulled out the dress bag. “I’ve got something special planned for you tonight.”

Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the bag. “What’s that?”

“A dress,” I said, unzipping the bag to reveal the baby pink gown. “I thought you might like it.”

Nicole’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s beautiful, Alex! Is this really for me?”

“Of course, it’s for you,” I said, handing her the dress. “I want tonight to be special, just for us.”

She looked at the dress in awe, running her fingers over the soft satin. “It’s perfect. Thank you, daddy.”

I smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Now, go get ready. I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”

Nicole disappeared into her room, and I went to get changed myself. I opted for something simple but classy — a black button-up shirt and a pair of dark trousers with a dark blue jacket. I wanted to look good for her, but I knew that tonight was all about her.

When Nicole finally emerged from her room, my breath caught in my throat. She looked absolutely stunning. The baby pink gown fit her perfectly, accentuating her delicate features and making her look like the princess she was. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she had a subtle blush on her cheeks, giving her a radiant glow.

“You look beautiful, baby girl,” I said, my voice soft with awe.

She blushed, twirling slightly as she smiled shyly. “Thank you, daddy. I feel like a princess.”

“You are a princess,” I said, offering her my arm. “Ready to go?”

She nodded, and we headed out to the car. The drive to the garden was quiet, filled with anticipation. Nicole had no idea what was waiting for her, and the thought of surprising her made my heart race.

When we arrived at the garden, I led her down the candlelit path, her eyes widening in wonder as she took in the sight.

“Daddy… this is amazing,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

I smiled, guiding her to the gazebo where the table was set for two. “I wanted tonight to be special, just for us.”

We sat down to dinner, a simple but delicious meal of pasta and wine, and spent the evening talking and laughing under the stars. Nicole’s smile never left her face, and every time I looked at her, I felt my heart swell with love.

As the night wore on, I knew it was time. I took a deep breath, reaching across the table to take her hand.

“Nicole,” I began, my heart pounding in my chest. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

She looked at me, her eyes wide and curious. “What is it, daddy?”

“I love being your daddy, taking care of you, and making you happy,” I said, my voice soft but steady. “But I want more than that. I want us to be more.”

Her eyes softened, and I could see the emotion in them as she listened.

“Nicole, will you be my girlfriend?” I asked, my voice filled with hope.

For a moment, she was silent, her eyes searching mine. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face, and she nodded.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’d love to be your girlfriend.”

My heart soared, and I stood up, pulling her into my arms as I kissed her gently on the lips.

“Thank you, princess,” I whispered against her lips. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

Nicole smiled up at me, her eyes shining with happiness. “And you’ve made me the happiest girl.”