Shanae was anxious for her husband to get home. When he walked through the door, she was there to greet him. “Jacob, I have something important to talk about. Lydia is having some complications with her pregnancy. They feel they should take the baby both to protect Lydia and to save the baby.”
As they talked, Jacob settled on the couch, and their four-year-old, Kayla, climbed on his lap like she always did.
“Isn’t it still really early for the baby to come?” Jacob asked.
“She is at 37 weeks, so the baby should be okay,” Shanae said.
“Wow!” Jacob said. “That pregnancy went fast, much faster than yours.”
“It always goes fast when it’s not your own. And with Mother passing away last year, I’m the closest family Lydia has. She could be some time recovering and could use some help with her children.”
“When do you leave?” Jacob asked.
“First thing in the morning,” Shanae replied. “They are taking the baby tomorrow. They’ll have a babysitter until I arrive. The problem is, I’ll be gone this weekend and miss Father’s Day. I’ve always tried to make that special for you.”
“You definitely have, and here’s the proof,” Jacob said, patting Kayla.
“I thought I’d take Kayla with me,” Shanae said.
“Oh, no, don’t do that,” Jacob replied. “When I go to work, I’ll drop her off at preschool and pick her up on the way home. I got some vacation time coming, so I’ll use a little and get off early each day.” Jacob turned to Kayla. “What do you think?”
“I would like to stay with Daddy,” she replied. “I can help take care of him on Father’s Day.”
Shanae and Jacob smiled at each other. Kayla was very precocious and acted far older than her age. Sometimes Jacob would say she was four going on twenty-four.
They spent the rest of the night getting Shanae packed. She included some toys that would give Shanae’s five children some variety from their own. Kayla sent one of her special stuffed animals for the new baby. As soon as all was ready, they had a quick dinner and went to bed.
The next morning, they were up early, had breakfast, and packed the last few things. Shane gave Jacob a quick kiss and Kayla, too. Then, as Shanae climbed into her car, she smiled as Kayla said, “I’ll take good care of Daddy.”
Shanae made sure to call at the end of each day. The new baby, a girl, was born healthy, but would have to be in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for a few days. Shanae wasn’t used to taking care of five children. Lydia was the oldest in their family, and Shanae was the youngest, so Lydia’s oldest children were old enough to be both helpful and challenging.
Shanae felt a bit guilty not being there when she called on Father’s Day and asked Jacob about his day.
“When did you teach Kayla to cook?” he asked.
“I didn’t,” Shanae replied.
“Well, she decided she needed to make me breakfast,” he said. “She got up early.”
“That’s scary,” Shanae said.
“She didn’t use the stove, just the egg cooker and the toaster. It was the best undercooked eggs and overcooked toast I’ve ever eaten.” Shanae heard the smile in Jacob’s voice as he continued. “She took good care of me and made the day a four-year-old, five-star day, including the dandelion bouquet that she said were ‘Daddy Lions’ for me. I think they are the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever received.”
Shanae heard him choke a little as he said, “It’s a Father’s Day I’ll always remember.”
