Somebody to Love

Tom clutches the fuzzy plaid blanket and yawns as he turns closer into the couch.

Then, he feels about 40 pounds climbing over him and sitting on his lower abdomen. "Daddy?" a voice whispers. He starts to feel someone poking at his stomach. "Daddy, wake up."

Tom opens his eyes to see Arielle sitting on him. "Yes, darling? What do you need?"

"Whatcha doin?" she asks and starts gently rocking back and forth.

"Having a nap. What are you doing?"

"I'm bored."

"Why don't you play with Bella or Mummy?"

"Because I always play with Bella and Mummy is working on her computer. I want to play with you."

"We played all morning, darling. We were up at 3am playing because some little monster can't sleep."

Arielle falls forward and lands on Tom's chest, bouncing from the impact before finally laying down.

She wraps her small arms around his and softly smiles while getting comfortable. "Hi."

"Hi."

"I'm tired now."

"Probably cause you were up at 3am and made an old man rescue you from the banister."

"We were playing princess." Arielle corrects.

"Yes, but you were sitting on the banister. You could've hurt yourself."

"You're an actor, Daddy, we had to make it believable. What are you supposed to do, rescue me from the couch?"

"It's fun to play make believe as a child, sweetheart, but remember, when you're older, you don't need a prince to save you. Be your own prince."

"I don't wanna be a boy, Daddy." Arielle says, confused.

"I know, love," Tom says and pulls the blanket that laid towards his feet over Arielle to keep her warm. "But you don't need a boy to save you. Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you can't save yourself. Princesses are strong too."

"Well yeah but it's not fun to play if we're not saving anyone. I can't get you down from the banister. Maybe Mummy can, she's got muscles. I have little chicken arms." Arielle starts to wave her arms in the air, earning a chuckle from her father.

"Why don't we nap, now, sweetie. You need sleep. I'm sure you're exhausted."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you too. Sweet dreams."

Tom rests his right hand on his daughter's back and closes his eyes. Arielle grabs Tom's portion of the blanket and starts to snuggle it, unaware that she just took the entire blanket off of her father. He shakes his head and tries to fall back asleep.

A few minutes later, Arielle shoots up and knees Tom in the groin.

"Ow," he exclaims and grabs Arielle to prevent her from accidently kneeing him again.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

"Nothing," Tom says through gritted teeth. "I'm fine. What are you doing up?"

"I'm not sleepy anymore. I'm gonna play with Bella."

"Okay, darling. Come back and get your mum for me, please."

"Sure!"

Arielle skips upstairs and grabs Bethany. She comes back downstairs to see Tom laying on the couch, his face red and clearly uncomfortable.