Sing For Me

A Day out with Daddy

Dad had stayed the night with us rather than driving all the way back to Wales so I decided to plan a day out. I'd missed him terribly and needed some time to feel close to him again. After Matt left I was with Dad near enough twenty four seven, he made me feel safe a thing that until that point I wasn't sure existed. There had been few men in my life that I trusted. My brother Marcus had his heart in the right place and had tried his best to look out for me but his recreational choices shall we call them took him to places that robbed me of the brother I needed. 

Christ my mother was a drunk and my brother was addicted to the extremes of life. So that left just Dad.  I had always been a Daddy's girl at heart especially as things were so difficult with My Mum. They say girls go for blokes like their Dad's, Matt was nothing like him, Ben however, him and Dad were so alike it was almost scary. I'm not really sure what they were chatting about last night the hum of the dishwasher meant I couldn't hear but Ben was even more affectionate and loving that night when we got to bed than usual if that were possible.

"Can I smell breakfast?" asks Dad as he walks in the kitchen with Riley and Ellie "You can full English if that suits" I gesture to him flinging my tea towel over my arm playing waitress "Tidy" he replies sounding more welsh than ever.

"How come I never get a full English?" asks Ben trying to get me into trouble. 

"What, do you mean you don't get such priviledges Ben" Dad adds teasing me even more

"Excuse me Langley you know full well you do" chucking my tea towel in a girly strop causing Ben and Dad to pull handbags and woooo at me cheeky sods

"Buggar off you two" I laugh "Or you can make your own breakfast" Ben is grinning at me 

"We love you really sweetheart" smooth talker he is.

I've managed to get us tickets last minute to go to The Tower of London they had started their Christmas exhibitions there and my love for all things Tudor yet another flash back to my childhood made for a fun day out. The children were excited although I think a lot of that was having Pops around.

Later that morning 

"Come on then you two jump on" Dad says to Riley and Ellie as we step onto the boat 

"Can I sit by you Pops" Riley asks 

"Come her mister, Pops is going to show you all the things she showed Mummy when we came here when she was little like you" I hear Dad say 

"Look's like you're stuck with me Sweetheart" Ben says giving me a little wink

"Oh such a hardship" I tease "You can cwtch me and stop me freezing my butt off" 

"I'll happily warm you butt anytime baby" he jokes 

So we set off up the river. Riley was fascinated by it all and Dad was loving to show him all the major sights as they passed by. Ellie was sat on Dads lap cuddled up to him. Ellie was so like me that It was almost like seeing myself years ago.

I sit leaning into Ben feeling him breathe as he rubs his hand up and down my arm in a bid to keep me warm. I listen to the commentry from the tour guide watching the world go by thinking again how lucky I was. Did someone need to pinch me. I'd never have imagined I could feel this way.

 We reach the Tower and all get off the boat Riley keen to race off ahead as usual. He loved seeing all the guards and Yeoman Warders. Dad took a picture on his phone of Riley and Ellie standing next to one. He seemed to head off with the children leaving Ben and I together enjoying some us time. I was afraid I was boring him with my knowledge of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn but he seemed to hang on my words. 

"Someone listened to the history teacher at school" he teases. We went in to see the crown Jewels, Ellie thought it was amazing shouting "Shiny Mama" that girl sure knows bling when she sees it.

We had lunch in the cafe inside the tower Ben insisted on paying and while he was up settling the bill Dad sat looking at me "Are you happy Babe?" I smile gently 

"Yes Dad I am, do you like Ben then?" Dad grins and nods 

"I do he's a good bloke, I won't lie that I was worried it was all moving too fast" he says and I sigh "But I can see he'll take care of you and the kids, that's all I care about" he takes my hand and taps the back of it. "time for you to be happy now Babe you deserve that" he brought a lump to my throat.

"So what are you doing for Christmas Dad?" I ask him 

"Well I um......" he stutters "thought I'd see Julie" I giggle at him 

"Julie hey things still good then?" I ask 

All he manages is a "mmmmm" and I choose to question him no further.

"How's Marcus" I ask 

"You know your brother" he answers 

"I wish he'd stop Dad" I say "He's so much better when he's off all that" Dad senses my concern

"I know babe, but the only way I think he will ever give it up is if he hits rock bottom and thats what scares me" it scares me too 

"I could talk to him" I suggest

"No darling, you concentrate on being happy, you don't need the upset" I go to protest 

"But he's my brother" 

"Yes Lis I know and one day there will come a time when you can help him but for now just enjoy all this" he says as we both see Ben come back towards the table ending the discussion.

We notice just outside the grounds of the Tower they have the Ice rink for the Christmas season "Go on then you two" Dad motions to me and Ben I'm really not sure on the idea but Ben on the other hand is far too eager 

"Come on sweetheart it'll be fun" there's that cheeky smile again the one he knows I can't resist. 

"Me and the kids are off on a goody hunt so you carry on, oh and Ben don't forget to get a picture when she goes on her arse" how dare he 

"Will do" he shouts, these two together really isn't a good thing!!!!

So off we go to get kitted out with some skates its been years since I've skated and now I'm nervous and Ben spots it "Hold my hand sweetheart I wont let you go" The cold hits me as we step onto it, I'm really shaky but Ben holds me up "Just glide Lissy" easier said than done "Do it with me" and suddenly its like Torvil and Dean well not quite. Ben grabs my arm and spins me around causing me to squeal then pulls me into him nothing between us other than our frosty breath from the chill. They are playing Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" which Ben happily sings to me and then does that thing he keeps doing since that day at the college whispering in my ear "Sing for Me" and somehow I can never refuse.

"What would you like for Christmas Sweetheart?" he asks me 

"Only you" I tell him he smiles and kisses my forehead "what about you sweetie?" I question he looks at me and I see his brain ticking over 

"All in good time" confusing I think. He kisses me his cold lips make me shiver and we are lost in a moment when we hear 

"Mummy, Daddy" Ben spins round to turn to Riley but loses his balance and the next thing we both come crashing down on the ice laughing helplessly.

"Ah that's a good one for Facebook" says Dad taking a snap shot!! Rude.