It was father daughter day and of course he had to get delayed coming off his graveyard for it. Yeah he was exhausted and the five hour energy he chased with a Rockstar--the organic kind, it was better for you--would probably last him long enough to get him through this even then home. He prayed. He would be there for his baby though. He walked through the door and regretted not changing out of his uniform first. Not that there was anything he was ashamed of, he just didn’t like the stares. At least he had his utility belt locked up in his locker at work.
He walked until he heard her. “Daddy!”
Frank grinned as he watched the ponytail come bounding at him. “Princess!” He knelt and scooped her up, wishing he could cradle her against flannel instead of issued polyester. It was softer under her little rosy cheek.
“You smell like smoke.” Her tone was accusatory as she picked herself upright in his arms to stare at him. She hated smoking.
“There was an apartment fire, it’s why I was late.” He answered honestly, staring at Maria’s big blue eyes in his daughter’s face. His heart clenched with how proud she would be of her daughter. Giving her father hell when her mama couldn’t.
“Are you okay?” A serious expression on a face too young to hold it. Guilt speared through him.
“I am. But there were babies involved and I had to make sure they were okay before I came over to see my baby.”
“Yes, sweetheart, the babies are perfectly okay now. No one was hurt.” It was a miracle too. Him and his partner Russo tore through that apartment and kicked down doors and evacuated everyone as fast as they could. Fuckin meth house in this fuckin derelict apartment. Idiots.
“Good. Now I want you to meet Miss Liza!” She wriggled to get down and he was reluctant to put her down.
“You can see better from up here, why don’t you point me to her?” He offered and she stopped squirming and turned to point at a small woman towards the front of the room. “Is that her? Your teacher?”
“Yes, that’s Miss Liza, Daddy. I was telling people all week that you were going to be here and I was so excited to make a tie with you.”
“Are we too late to make ties?” He asked and she shook her head and beamed. “What did I miss, Princess?”
“Just the boring stuff. Good stuff is now.” She wriggled again as he paused in front of the teacher and she huffed when he huffed as he had to put her down. His ribs were bruised though. Breaking up a fight early in his shift. “Miss Liza!” Lisa took her daddy by the hand and pulled him towards the woman.
“Miss Liza!” Lisa repeated, impatient sounding.
“Lisa, be patient, remember? You need to wait your turn.” Frank reminded her gently. He obliged as she held her hands up for him to pick her up again. He easily lifted her up and settled her on his forearm and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m happy I’m here, princess.”
“Me too, daddy.” She cuddled her head onto his shoulder and sighed. “I thought you were in the hosi-pital.”
“No, Lisa, that was just once. I don’t make a habit of it.” He felt guilt go through him again and pressed a kiss to her hair. “Miss Liza, I’m Frank Castle, nice to meet you,” he offered his free hand to his daughter’s teacher. “I’m sorry I’m late. Got held up at work.”
