Daddy's Angel

[sidhe_faerie]

 Daddy's Angel
WC 516

He moved softly into the room. She was already asleep. He regretted working late. He missed so much when he wasn't here for bath and bedtime.

He tucked the covers around her and eased down on the bed. He just wanted to watch her sleep just for a few minutes before he went to bed. She looked like an angel as she slept. 

After a few minutes, He sighed and eased himself off the bed. He would spend all day with her tomorrow. It was Saturday already by his watch.

He walked to the door and looked back. She was why he put in the long hours. College was expensive and not that far into the future. He smiled and closed the door.

He slipped into bed with his wife. He kissed her cheek and went to sleep.

The next morning, there were pancakes in pajamas and cartoons. He listened as she told him about her friends and school. He took it all in and cherished each word.

The afternoon brought chores and time outside. He worked in the yard as she played in her playhouse. She had a tea party for her dolls and stuffed monkey.

By dinnertime, they were both tired. Tonight, he would get to read a story to her and tuck her in. He fell asleep happy.

Sunday brought rain and board games. He let her win. He like the way she smiled when she did.

Another night and another bedtime story completed his weekend. The work week ahead would be unbearable. He sighed and went to bed. His wife gave him a hug and they snuggled together.

Monday dawned as he left for work. He wouldn't be back tonight for her bedtime. He wouldn't spend any time with her until the weekend. He braced himself and dove into his work. He did it for his angel. That was what he told himself.

Coming home late,  he made a stop to buy her a present. Just something he did sometimes to ease his guilt. A new teddy from a big box store would make her smile.

He never got to give her the teddy. A car struck him on the way out of the store and kept going. The EMT's did what they could but in the end he died where he fell.

One of the officers picked up the bag with the stuffed bear inside. He took it with him when he went to tell the family.

His little angel cried and held on to the teddy. It was the last present she would ever have from him.

The day they buried him was cloudy. His angel stood holding her mother's hand and her new teddy. She cried as the shiny coffin was lowered into the deep dark hole.

Twenty years later, a young woman sat her office. On the wall was a diploma from an Ivy League school. On the shelf behind her desk was a photo in a frame and a teddy bear.

She did it all for her Daddy just as he had done it all for her.