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"Daddy!" His daughter's sweet voice made him turn around, his guitar quickly forgotten at the sight of his beautiful daughter who was looking more like him every day. "Hey princess, how's your day been?" he says, picking her up. Her tiny arms wrap around his neck and she nuzzles into his neck.
"Good. I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it, baby?" he says, pulling away with a worried expression as he brushes hair out of her face.
"I was playing, and since I don't have any siblings, I got bored." He nods along, saying, "You don't want siblings. I've got two and they're both a pain in the ass. But sorry, love, go on."
"Well, I was thinking, remember that dress you and Mommy got me?" He nods, trying not to groan as he senses where the conversation is heading. "I think you should put it on. You'd look pretty."
"Pretty, eh? That's a first." He wants to say no. He really does. He'd do anything not to wear that—like anything, even tell Liam he loves him. But he agrees nonetheless for her. "Sure, honey. Why don't you go get..." he says through gritted teeth. Her eyes light up as she runs back to her room.
Just then, Meg walks in. "What's all this? Are you playing dress-up?"
"Our daughter might've asked if I would try on one of her dresses." She starts laughing at the thought of Noel in a child's dress.
Anais comes running back in with a bright pink dress with a bow attached to it, and Noel thinks about killing himself. "Hey Meg, didn't we have that thing today, that meeting or whatnot?"
"Nope, not that I can remember," she says, grinning. "Come on, Daddy, try it on."
He looks at his daughter, and all thoughts of saying no run out of his head. He couldn't imagine saying no to her. He sighs and kisses her head as he heads to their bathroom to put on the dress. He puts it on, annoyed at how easily he's able to fit in it. He knew Meg would make fun of him for that later. He ties the stupid bow and walks out. Anais claps excitedly.
"You look so pretty, Daddy, like a princess!"
"Thank you, darling."
"Thank you for trying it on, Daddy. I know you didn't want to," she says, hugging him. He buries his head in her hair, taking in the scent of her strawberry shampoo.
"If it makes you happy, there's nothing I wouldn't do, okay, baby?" She hugs him tighter and pulls away, both her tiny hands on his cheeks.
"I love you, Daddy," she says. He can feel his eyes filling with tears. He's tried so hard not to mess this up, not to become like his dad, and so far, he seems to be doing an okay job.
"I love you too, princess. How about you go get ready for bed? I'll be right there to tuck you in, okay?" She nods and runs upstairs. He could see Meg out of the corner of his eye, trying not to laugh but failing miserably.
"I'm sorry. You're just so..." She bursts into laughter, unable to finish her sentence.
"Ha ha," he says sarcastically. "I'm taking this shit off."
"Wait, wait," she says, leaving the room and returning with a camera. "Fucking hell," he mutters as the flash goes off.
"Happy now?" she nods, still stifling a laugh. He rolls his eyes and starts taking the tiny dress off. "What are you gonna do with that?"
"I'm gonna show your brother because this is hilarious."
He groans. He can already see the insults from Liam. "I thought you hated him."
She rolls her eyes. "Don't feel bad if you do. It's pretty hard not to."
"Stop it. You love him. You're just too cranky to admit it."
"I'm not cranky."
"Oh, really? 'Cause you look like the most miserable princess I've ever seen."
"Whatever," he says, but he can't deny the smile that creeps onto his face. He makes his way to Anais's room where she's already asleep, but he still tucks her in as if she weren't.
"Good night, baby. Daddy loves you," he says, kissing her forehead, hoping she can hear him. Her sleepy smile and mumbled "love you" is all he needs to have his answer.