blanket fort

Brian grinned at Hannah’s pure excitement, her wiggles and giggles lighting up the room. He tapped the front of her nappy gently, eliciting another round of soft laughter. "I think my little girl deserves something special to celebrate her new start," he said, standing up and offering his hand. "How about a little surprise adventure, hmm?"

Hannah’s eyes widened with curiosity as she slid off the bed, her padded bottom causing her to wobble slightly as she adjusted to the new sensation. "What kind of adventure, Daddy?" she asked, clutching his hand tightly, her voice filled with childlike wonder.

Brian led her to the living room, where he had set up something she hadn’t noticed earlier: a colorful blanket fort, complete with twinkling fairy lights, stacks of soft pillows, and a small pile of plushies and picture books waiting inside. A thermos of warm milk and a plate of cookies sat on a tray nearby.

Hannah gasped, her hands flying to her face. "Oh my gosh, Daddy! You made this for me?"

He chuckled, kneeling beside her and pulling her into a big hug. "Of course, I did, sweetheart. I wanted to make your first day as my little girl extra special. We’ll cuddle up in the fort, read stories, and maybe even watch some cartoons if you’d like."

Hannah bounced on the balls of her feet, the crinkling of her nappy a constant reminder of her new reality. "I love it! Thank you, Daddy!" she squealed, throwing her arms around his neck.

Brian scooped her up and carried her to the fort, her delighted giggles echoing through the room. Once inside, he settled her on his lap, handing her a sippy cup filled with warm milk. As she leaned back against his chest, her tiny hands clutching the cup, Hannah felt a wave of contentment wash over her. This was exactly where she belonged.