Mine
Chapter 12

Kimberly decided to pay her dad a visit the next day. She woke up pretty early, leaving a sleepinglan at home. She knew he could take care of himself when he wakes up, so she only wrote a shortnote, telling him where she was. She would've loved to wait until he wakes up to give him amorning kiss but she couldn't risk wasting any more minute so as not to miss her dad because shereally needed to talk to him, even if it was a five minute conversation.

Okay, that's a pretty short timing but you can’t blame her though, she desperately needed to seeher dad before he leaves for work. She hopes she makes it in time. The thought of calling both herdad and fiancé's place her home brought a smile to her face. She was grateful she could proudly callboth places home, she wouldn't want it any other way.

Two blocks away from her destination, Kimberly spotted her dad's car in the driveway, much to herrelief. She parked her car behind her dad's and hurriedly got out of the car. Ringing the doorbelltwice, she patiently waited for her dad to open the door which he did within seconds.

"Kim? I wasn't expecting to see you here!” her dad said in surprise

Kimberly instantly wrapped her arms around her dad, making him even more surprised. She didn'trealize how much she had missed her dad until now. She knows it has only been a few days she hasbeen away but God, she has missed his fatherly touch and was craving it badly. Her dad returnedthe hug, making her snuggle closer into the embrace

“Are you okay honey?” he asked in a calm voice but Kimberly could still trace a hint of worry.

“I just missed you" she murmured, still not letting go of him

"Okay? But we've only been apart for a few days” he chuckled

“I know dad. I just can't help it"

"Why don’t we go have some pancakes for breakfast before it gets cold”

Kimberly's face lit up at the mention of food. She couldn't remember the last time she tasted herdad's cooking. He is a great cook and she is proud to have learnt from the best.

As they walked into the kitchen, Kimberly felt a wave of nostalgia. She couldn't believe that justsome years back she was her daddy's little girl who he doted on. They did so many fun thingstogether, like going to the park, getting ice cream, he even had tea parties with her. The thought ofthose events brought a smile to her face.

Her dad is her idol. She wouldn't deny that she sometimes hated the bitter truth of her beingindependent, doing things, making decisions, choices and mistakes without her dad's assistance,like it used to be when she was little.

"Here's yours” her dad said, bringing her out of her thoughts

“Thanks dad” she said, not wasting any minute in digging into her banana pancakes

"Aren“t you gonna be late for work?” she suddenly asked, taking a sip from her coffee.

It just dawned on her that he didn't look bettered by the time nor was he fully dressed and it wasalready past 7:00am

“I don't have any lectures today, so I'm taking the day off"

“I see... then I guess my timing was perfect”

She smiled, happy that she had her dad to herself for the whole day because she doesn’t plan onleaving anytime soon.

After breakfast, Kimberly did the dishes before joining her dad in the living room.

“So... how are things going with you and lan?" her dad asked as she settled herself comfortablybeside him on the sofa.

“Great. The past few days has been wonderful, although we had a little fight but now we're good”she replied with a smile

"Already fighting? That isn't a good sign you know”

"He was just being stubborn, but I must admit, part of it was my fault too. We already made up dad,so there's nothing to worry about”

“Honey?”

"Yes dad”

“Does he treat you the way he treats a lower ranked officer? Because I know these military officerstend to behave in such manner” her dad asked, not hiding the worry in his voice this time.

“No daddy. lan is different... I'm fine, I promise” she assured her dad

“If you say so”

“I know so, dad” she countered

“Then, I'm glad you're happy”

Mr. Wright placed a kiss on the top of his daughter's head as she wrapped her arms around hiswaist, snuggling into him.

He couldn’t stop himself from thinking back to the times when she was little. There were times whenshe couldn't go to sleep without him beside her, reading her bedtime stories. That was theireveryday routine until she turned eleven.

He wouldn't say he wasn't a good father but he just wished her mom was alive and presently herewith them, that way Kimberly would've grown up in a normal home. He sometimes hated himself fornot being able to give her that motherly figure she yearned for, but he guess it's better this waybecause he didn't think any other woman would've loved his daughter a 100 percent like her momwould've. He honestly didn’t want his daughter going through such trauma.

"Daddy?"

“Yes honey”

“I and lan will be going on a week long vacation” Kimberly quietly said, her head still restingcomfortably on her dad's chest.

She chose to remain that way because she didn't want to make eye contact with her dad, so hedoesn't notice her nervousness.

“Where to?” he asking, running his fingers through her hair just how she likes it

Kimberly tensed at that question. She didn't think her dad would be interested in replaceing out wherethey'd be going to. She hesitantly moved her head from her dad's chest, using each second to thinkof a reply. Why didn't she come up with a destination before coming over? It's obvious Kimberly,you didn’t think he would ask, she mentally said to herself.

“Um... h-he says it's um... a resort” she nervously replied, putting her hair behind her ear, lookinganywhere but him.

"Aren“t you happy about it?” her dad asked after a minute

“I-I'm just worried about leaving you... for a whole week” she replied with her head low.

She couldn't bring herself to look at him because she was lying to him for the first time in her entirelife and she hated herself for doing it.

Her dad smiled at her reply

“Kimberly honey, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine, besides, I'm also travelling nextweek... sweetie, you're an adult who'll be getting married next year. Everyone leaves their parentssomeday” he explained, bringing her close to himself for a warm embrace when he noticed a tearroll down her cheek

“I love you dad”

“I love you too, honey”