Carsen looks down, delight obvious on her face as she runs her hands along the skirt of her dress. “Really?”
I nod, smiling a little at the memory. “I was so nervous I didn’t know how to dance at all. But your mom helped me, just swayed back and forth with me. It was a great night, the first of many. And that’s what tonight will be for you too. The first of many greats as you grow up. I know she’d be real proud of the young lady you’re becoming.”
Carsen’s eyes are shining, and when I open my arms, she runs into them, giving me a big hug and laying her head on my shoulder, climbing into my lap a little. She barely fits, but that’s okay. I hold her tight, knowing that my little girl is growing up so damn fast. Too fast, and I want to freeze time right here, where she’s on the cusp of leaving her innocent childhood behind and becoming a teenager.
A teenage daughter? What the hell am I going to do?
I don’t know how to raise a teenage daughter. Hell, I barely survived my teen years with my sanity intact. I know I’ll have my hands full when she starts being interested in boys, that’s for sure.
But as I look around, I know I’m not alone. Sarah and Elise are still in the doorway, holding hands and watching the scene between Carsen and me with watery smiles. They’re so different, yet so vital and similar.
Sarah has been there for me almost since the very beginning, sacrificing so much to make our lives work as I chase my music dreams. She’s been essential to my becoming a true man, and she’s never complained.
And Elise has fit in nearly seamlessly to our little family, bringing with her sass and joyfulness, and a love of life that’s reignited the passion in my own heart. It’s not what some would call a picture-perfect life, but it’s perfect for me, and I’m so damn thankful for it.
Sarah glances at her watch. “All right, young lady. Go grab your purse and let’s go.”
Carsen runs off to her room and Sarah pats my shoulder. “Good job, Keith. I was scared you’d end up locking her in her room and not let her go.”
I smile, knowing that I’d considered it, but I also know I can’t stop my little girl from growing up. “It definitely crossed my mind, but I figured you two would stop me.”
Elise chuckles and comes over, sitting on my knee and putting her arms around my shoulders. “Well, I’m the bad influence here, so the plan was for Sarah to distract you while I showed Carsen how to sneak out a window. I figure it’s a life skill that’ll serve her well.”
I growl at her. “You’ll teach her no such thing.”
There’s a moment where the unsaid threat hangs in the air, tension coiled around us, then it breaks as we all bust up laughing. Elise leans into me and gives me a smack on the cheek. “Okay, we talked about it but I wouldn’t have actually shown her how to sneak out. Probably. Maybe.”
I love her brattiness, knowing that she’s joking and wouldn’t actually lead Carsen astray, but to tease me about it is enough to warrant a bit of a spanking later, the kind that leaves us both more than satisfied, and that makes my smile more than a bit predatory and we both know it.
Sarah clears her throat, turning toward the hallway. “Well, on that note, I’ll be leaving now. I’ll pick up Carsen and bring her home tomorrow mid-morning. Maybe be dressed this time?”
I grin, but Elise blushes. It’s a pretty sight and makes me want her round ass the same flushed pink color.
As Carsen jets back into the room, I call out some last-minute reminders. “You’ve got your phone to call if you need anything. Have fun, baby. Sarah will pick you up at Kaitlyn’s tomorrow after your sleepover, and then you can tell us all about the dance. Behave, young lady!”
Carsen runs back, a knowing look on her face as she kisses my cheek. “I love you too, Dad.”
And then she’s gone in a flash, so much sooner than I expected. I sit in my chair, stunned at how fast it happened. Sarah gives me one more smile as she follows Carsen out to the car, and they’re gone. To my baby’s first dance.
The silence is deafening but slowly becomes filled with promise and potential as I realize we’re alone all night. I meet Elise’s mouth in a soft kiss, pulling her body flush to mine. “Thank you for being here tonight. I know Carsen liked that we were all here to celebrate her first dance, and she was thrilled with the dress you found.”