//I love dad Nicky!//
“Daddy!” Elise flew into your bedroom and jumped on the bed. She landed right on Nick. “ It’s our day!” Elise’s voice was full of excitement. “C’mon!”
“Oof! Easy princessa.” Nick said with a grimace.
“Sorry, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek. His face softened immediately.
“It’s okay. Give Daddy a few minutes to wake up, okay?” Elise ran out of the room as fast as she came in. Nick turned over and put an arm over you. “She has impeccable aim. Always knees or elbows me right in the groin.”
A sleepy laugh escaped your lips, not bothering to open your eyes. “What time is it anyway?”
“7 o’clock”, Nick mumbled in your ear. “How long do you think I can hold her off?“
“30 minutes max”, you responded sleepily. Enjoying the warmth of Nick’s arms, you felt yourself drift off to sleep after a few minutes.
Nick loudly exhaled. “Okay. I’m going to make coffee.” No response from you. Your gentle breathing told him you went back to sleep. Nick smiled and pushed the hair from your face.
The smell of muffins and coffee roused you from your slumber. After trudging out to the kitchen, you poured a mug of coffee. “Owen up yet?”
Owen came to stand beside, he was almost as tall as you, which he thought was funny. He had the same disheveled look you had on your face. “Morning madre, Still on for the natural history museum this today?”
“Of course. Then maybe go to that little bookstore that we found.” You planned on soaking up every minute you could with him, thankful he still wanted to hang out with his mom.
“Daddy and I are going to the American Girl Doll store. I already know what doll I’m getting one that looks just like me. Then we’re going to go the cafe and have lunch.” The words tumbled out of Elise’s mouth a mile minute.
“Why would you want a doll that looks like you? One of you is scary enough” Owen said, teasing Elise.
“At least I don’t have four eyes”, Elise shot back.
“Owen Daniel. Elise Mariciela. It is way too early. Apologize. Remember kind words”, Nick interjected before they had a chance to go any further.
Owen and Elise both mumbled “sorry’ before returning to their breakfast.
Nick and Elise waved to you as they drove away. It was close to an hour drive to their destination. Nick glance in the back seat at Elise and smiled. He had been looking forward to this day for a couple weeks. He never got much one on one time with either of the kids.
Nick found an open parking spot in one of the garages. “Okay. Hold my hand and don’t let go. Understand mi conejito?” Elise nodded her acknowledgment as she held tightly to Nick’s hand and skipped along beside him.
Elise’s eyes widened when they entered the store. “Oh my gosh daddy!” She spun around in wonderment. “Lookit. There she is! Luciana!” Elise ran to the display.
Elise was right. Luciana looked a lot like her. “She’s pretty, Elise.” Nick knelt down beside his awestruck daughter. “So, she’s the one? Are you sure?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m sure.” Elise hugged the box to her. Sparkling, brown eyes met Nick’s. No way he could say no, not that he had planned to. Elise took Nick’s hand, “c’mon daddy. She needs an outfit.”
By the time they were seated in the cafe, Nick was starving. He perused the menu, “hmmm…burger and fries sound good, maybe two burgers? What sounds good to you, kiddo?”
Elise giggled. “Two hamburgers Daddy?” She shot he eyes at Nick. “Can I have ice cream for lunch? Mommy let me and Owen do it sometimes.”
“She did huh?” He filed that in the back of his mind, smiling and shaking his head. “You know what. I’m going to have the same thing.”
Nick carried Elise through the front door, holding on to her doll. You followed him into Elise’s bedroom and leaned against the doorway. He was a great dad, you loved watching him with the kids. When Nick turned around you were smiling.
“What’s the smile for?” Nick inquired He stopped right in front of you.
“Just thinking about how lucky our kids are to have you as their dad.” Stretching up you kissed his cheek.
“Almost as lucky to have a mom that lets them have ice cream for dinner?” Nick said teasingly.
SVU addict 