Bring it, baby.
 
 Oh, she’s brought it. That’s for damn sure.
 
 The door to my office opens a second time, and a newcomer joins us.
 
 “You wanted to see me?” Banning.
 
 Ah, yes.
 
 There’s something that needs to be straightened out now before I continue in my pursuit of forever with a very angry and beautiful woman.
 
 Ping.
 
 Ping.
 
 Ping.
 
 My phone buzzes where it’s sitting on the desk.
 
 Text message after message pops up on the screen. I smile, already knowing who they’re from.
 
 Picking up the phone, I unlock it, tapping on the first message.
 
 My heart: Dad. I know what’s missing in our family.
 
 Smiling at my daughter’s text message, I reply.
 
 Me: What’s that?
 
 Three dots appear on the screen before her next message comes through. This time it is a selfie of my daughter holding up a drawing of a small dog.
 
 My heart: I need a feeling puppy.
 
 An emotional dog, I’m assuming that’s what she’s referring to. I sometimes wonder where the hell she gets these ideas from. Then I remember she is my daughter.
 
 She knows what she wants and goes after it even at such a young age.
 
 I was like that when I was a young child too.
 
 I start to type my reply when another message pops up.
 
 My heart: Mommy will totally like a puppy, and you want us both to be happy! Right, Dad?
 
 She’s too damn smart and… manipulative.
 
 Me: It’s daddy. Not dad or father.
 
 My heart: She sends her third favorite emoticon. A face with rolling eyes.
 
 Brat.
 
 A brat just like her mother.
 
 But she’s on to something, and it sparks an idea. An idea and a fire.
 
 Me: Ellaiza, I need you to do something for daddy.
 
 I tell her exactly what I need from her, and not even a second later, my daughter replies.
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 