NOVEL WEB Chapter 42: [21]
"Is there anything you'd like for me to do, Alec?" Claire asks me and I walk over to my desk, pull out my dino leather chair that is extremely comfortable.
Grabbing a bottle of scotch from my desk and two glasses, "Would you like a drink Claire?"
"No, thank you…"
"Claire…you are an excellent Park Manager…but, I want you to take some time for yourself, go on a date, get a boyfriend, girlfriend or just get laid. Or take a nice relaxing bubble bath or a spa day…just take some time for yourself."
"Di-did I do something wrong Alec?" Claire asks in concern for her career and I crack a smile.
"Nope, you have performed perfectly and will continue to do so if that I'm certain…but you know Savannah?"
"Yeah she's adorable." Claire says with a smile on her face thinking about my cute redheaded munchkin of terror who also just happens to be mine and Lisa's daughter.
"Well, she keeps pointing out to me that I need to find someone to make me happy and to get married…she's going through a Disney Princess phase…honestly, I don't care what you do just that you take some time for yourself every now and then, you've been working non-stop for the last few years."
"It still feels like I've done something wrong…"
"You haven't Claire…I can put you on mandatory two week leave…if I have to make you go take some time for yourself…maybe go visit your sister she did just have her first child right?"
"A year ago…his name is Zach…I think." Claire mutters in a slightly embarrassed tone.
"See you could go visit your sister and nephew."
~~ — — — — — — — — — — ~~
Claire reluctantly accepts her two week vacation from work, 'It is kind of adorable that she thinks she's in trouble…or that I'm disappointed in her performance.'
Leaning back in my chair letting out a long tired lonely sigh, I know I could bring Little One over and spend some time with her but she's been having disciplinary issues within the raptor pack.
The office isn't quite big enough for Rexy and the other girls either and then there's Beth…my sea monster that looks a lot like the Loch Ness monster from Scooby Doo.
"Daddy-daddy!" Savannah pulls me out of my thoughts as she rides her pet Atrociraptor…Larry, into my office.
She steers her over to me and then jumps off of her back onto my lap, her nose crinkles cutely… "Daddy, you smell like alcohol again…you promised you wouldn't drink anymore. Are you sad?" Savannah says with a pouty/angry look on her face, while little cat ears pop-up on top of her head, something that happens when she's really upset.
"No…"
"Don't lie Daddy, you say it's bad to lie to the people you love." Savannah's angry pout increases in intensity and she crosses her arms over her chest.
I start tickling her sides and she breaks out into giggles, "Da-ddy, I'm being swerious!" Savannah struggles to say through her giggles.
I stop after a little bit and my baby girl snuggles against my chest, "Daddy, when I'm a big girl…I'm going to marry you so you never have to feel sad or lonely ever again…" Savannah proclaims adorably tilting my head forwards I kiss the top of her head.
"That's a sweet idea princess, but you should find a boy your own age…when you're much much older…like thirty." I say to Savannah, while wrapping my arms around her, "Momma let you out of homeschooling early today?" I ask Savannah though I already know that's the case Lisa and I agreed Fridays should be half days for lessons.
Savannah giggles softly, "You're silly Daddy, Aunty Charlotte says I'll be a big girl at eighteen…that's when Mommy says I can start dating boys…but if you tell me not to, I won't ever kiss a boy." Savannah says adorably and I know both Charlotte and Mommy are going to get chewed the fuck out for filling my sweet little innocent princess's head with such things.
"Good, as a good girl you'll wait till thirty to kiss any boys." I say to her and grab the TV remote off of my desk, turning on the TV it immediately starts playing the Mighty Ducks cartoon, one of the top ten cartoons ever made after Disney Gargoyles.
"Daddy…big sis has met a boy she likes at school…" Savannah suddenly says to me and I know it should bother me but it doesn't, I just want Alexis to be happy.
"That's good, I hope she's happy…"
"Oh…I thought that was why you were sad…"
"Nope, how can I be sad getting to snuggle with my little princess while watching the Mighty Ducks?" I ask playfully but Savannah nuzzles her face against my chest as she starts to cry.
"Baby what's wrong?"
"I just want you to be happy Daddy, you always look so sad and lonely when you think nobody is watching…" Savannah cries softly, 'Aww, you sweet little angel…'
"Sweetheart, I just feel sad and lonely sometimes, even when I'm happy…Daddy is just a weird person princess."
"Daddy you're not weird!" Savannah leans back sharply as if she was smacked and glares at me angrily for calling myself weird.
'Right…forgot how much damage Kindergarten did to her and how she thinks Weird or weirdo is the worst most vicious insult someone can say to another person.'
"Thanks baby, I'm sorry for calling myself weird, I promise I won't do it again."
"Pinky promise?!" Savannah says to me vehemently.
"Okay sweetheart, Pinkie promise." I reply back to her and interlock our pinkies in the symbol of making a pinkie promise.
A beautiful baby toothed smile with over sized canines exposed appears on my daughter's face before she spins around and leans her back against my chest to watch cartoons with me, I notice Jessica Pearson standing by the door watching us with a soft, longing expression on her face, before she smiles at me and waves, and mouths the words need to talk later, and walks away.