Title: Like Home
Location: Turkey
Date: 4/14/2016
P O V: Preach
Southern Ca is ten hours hours ahead of us. So while it's four am here over there it's almost two pm. An odd hour of the day I never know if I am going to reach them. "Hello" Giannini's breathless voice appears before me on my screen. Her beautiful face automatically makes me feel better. "Well hello Peach fancy meeting you here" "Haha Ezekiel what's going on? Is everything okay? We just spoke last night"
She knows me well I can't hide even if I had the luxury of time which I did not. I can't go into details due to confidentially so I simply reply. "New mission kids" She smiles sympathetically "I'll go get the kids" There's rattling some squeals before Hallie pops on camera chewing gum.
"Hey Daddy I miss you"
God she's so grown up too fast for me. She's beautiful with her large caramel eyes under way too much makeup for this old daddy's preference. Her long curly purple and pink braids, she's beautiful naturally she doesn't need any junk on her face. I say nothing I am not a dumb man.
"Hello Princess Jade" She giggles rolling her eyes "Daddy I made varsity for the summer league"
"That's awesome Princess when do practices start?"
"June first week"
"Aw I know you'll be amazing baby girl remember your drills keep practicing"
She giggles another round sending my heart fluttering yes she's a daddy's girl. She's got me wrapped around her middle finger. "Daddy I know I will be amazing because I am your daughter. Hey when you get home can we have another daddy/ daughter day scheduled?"
"You know we can baby I look forward to it"
"Thanks daddy I love you be safe. Come home daddy"
My heart breaks as she blows a kiss moving so Caitlin can come forward.
"Yo' Daddy what's shaking?"
She's only 13 but she's a free spirit with her own unique style a mixture of punk, little girl. "Nothing much over here baby girl just getting ready to play hero. What are you doing today?"
"Heading to the skate park with Dylan, Katie, Skylar and Jadin. Jay's teaching me some new tricks we're entering a competition next weekend"
"You going to set the park on fire?"
"Daddy fire? Really nah we gonna kick some ass is what we gonna do"
"Caitlin you know you can't curse it don't matter how far I am"
"Sorry daddy"
Jaz stirs but never wakes something is up with her. She always wakes when she hears my kids voices, this time nothing. "I know you'll do amazing just remember never go anywhere alone"
"Yes daddy I know give Jaz a wassup from me"
Jashia my youngest pops up covering her eyes "I can't see you daddy!" She giggles she still has that little girl vibe. "Daddy I can't see you"
"I'm right here"
"No your not" She giggles again "Prove it" "Prove what my love?"
"Yes" I groan this is going to cost me I know it. Her eyes open as she grabs a magazine flipping it open. My heart stops since when did a little piece of fabric cost $250? "Talk to your mama" "Oh you always say that daddy" "Don't you always get what you want?" "Not always daddy" "Name one thing?" "You home daddy"
That's how daughters make you a man. By filling you with pride & breaking your heart, wiping moisture from my eyes. I smile seeing Peach come back on. "I won't ask you to go into details I know you can't, just know Preach that we believe in you, in your team. Whatever the reason god is sending you on this mission. I have faith that he will lead you all home safe"
"Your faith is unshakable"
"Trust baby trust and love it's the foundation of all stable things in life"
My heart swelled with pride and confidence "Is that Jaz in your bed?" She shrieks out pulling me from my fantasy that I was having of the two of us reuniting. "Is she naked?" I slam the laptop shut knowing I would pay for this one later.