A
s they returned to the room after a yummy lunch, Rylee yawned repeatedly. The day had been fraught with tears, fright, and tension. Now, with her tummy filled and her mind reassured, her body’s need for rest made her very sleepy. Standing still in front of the beautiful crib, she did not protest as her Daddy undressed her, leaving the Little wearing only her diaper. Rylee did not hesitate in climbing into the welcoming crib for a nap.
Asleep almost before her head touched the pillow, she delicately snored in her crib while her Daddy unpacked for each of them. In her dreams, she saw a large man with the most incredible smile. Her heart knew he was special.
Dallas unzipped her small suitcase. Opening it, he lost just a bit more of his heart that she seemed to be stealing away from him piece by piece. Lifting the stuffed elephant with its fur balding in several places from being loved, he hugged the toy in his arms before lifting it to his nose. It smells like her,
he thought. The large man carried it to the crib and gently tucked the stuffie in her arms.
“Daddy,” she softly sighed in her sleep before squeezing the elephant in her arms and beginning to snore once again.
Smiling at the knowledge that she was dreaming of him, Dallas quietly moved about, unpacking her personal items but leaving the clothing still neatly folded inside. The Wardrobe department had already sent down extra outfits for each of them. She wouldn’t need her jeans until she prepared to leave.
He looked over at the precious sight in the crib. Unable to think of the day when they would have to return to their own lives, the new Daddy memorized the view before quickly turning on his phone and taking a picture. Emailing it to himself, Dallas made sure that he would never lose this memory.