🍼 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓇: 𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝐷𝒶𝒹𝒹𝓎'𝓈 𝒢𝑜𝓃𝑒...

Lucas sat in his highchair, swinging his legs as he poked at his cut-up strawberries. His sippy cup sat beside his plate, filled with chocolate milk, but he wasn't really hungry.

His daddy was gone.

He knew Amari had to go to football. Amari was captain, and Daddy had been super busy taking care of him. But...

Lucas sucked on his paci, hugging his lion stuffie close. His chest felt tight.

Mrs. Min walked over, gently brushing his hair back. "Sweetheart, you okay?"

Lucas sniffled. "M-Missy..." His voice was small. "Missy Daddy..."

Mrs. Min's expression softened. She kneeled beside him, rubbing his back. "I know, baby. But Daddy will be back soon, okay?"

Lucas whimpered, wiping his eyes. "Wanna be big... but... but feelin' little..."

She kissed his forehead. "That's okay, sweet pea. Do you wanna cuddle with Mommy?"

Lucas hesitated, then nodded.

Mrs. Min picked him up, holding him close as she sat on the couch. Lucas curled up against her, gripping her shirt with tiny fingers.

"M-Mama?" he whispered.

"Yes, baby?"

Lucas nuzzled against her chest. "Daddy wuv me?"

Mrs. Min smiled, stroking his hair. "So, so much, baby. More than anything."

Lucas sucked his paci, his breathing slowing. "M'kay... wanna nap, Mama..."

Mrs. Min hugged him tighter. "Go ahead, my love. Mommy's got you."

And slowly, Lucas drifted off, safe in his mommy's arms, dreaming of when Daddy would come home. 🍼💙

🏈 𝐿𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉...

Amari was exhausted. Practice had been brutal, but he felt good getting back on the field. Still, the only thing on his mind was getting back to his baby boy.

He walked up to Lucas' house, carrying a small frozen yogurt cup—the chocolate froggy Lucas wanted.

Mrs. Min opened the door, giving him a knowing smile. "He missed you."

Amari exhaled, stepping inside. "I missed him too."

Lucas was curled up on the couch, hugging his lion, his paci still in his mouth. His eyes fluttered open at the sound of Amari's voice.

"D-Daddy?" he mumbled sleepily.

Amari grinned, kneeling beside him. "Hey, baby."

Lucas' eyes widened, and suddenly, he was in Amari's arms, clinging to him tight.

"Missed you, Daddy!!"

Amari chuckled, kissing his forehead. "Missed you too, tiny." He held up the yogurt. "Got your treat."

Lucas gasped, wiggling excitedly. "Choc'late froggy!!"

Amari spoon-fed him, watching as Lucas kicked his feet happily.

Yeah. Football was important, but this?

This was home. 💙🍼🏈