Pounce



My daughter and I have discovered a new game.

I call it Pounce.

Bainiel, now a tireless toddler, usually awakens after I have risen and brought morning tea back up to Seregrian in Her Sanctum. My wife divides Her attention away from Her studies to briefly reward me with a warm smile and maybe a kiss, and I turn to the crib in the adjoining bedchamber, where my other Ladyship is stirring. Her sleepy smile greets me as I carry her to Her Ladyships bed and lay her down for her first changing of the day.

The first round of the game begins with my daughter arching her back, presenting her belly to me, fully expecting me to reply with an open kiss planted securely over her navel and followed by a strong exhale. The resulting long, loud flatulent sound shatters the early morning silence. She squeals in laughter, and we both know the game has officially begun. From the Sanctum we hear her mother chuckle and utter something like, “Oh you two…”

 I set my daughter down on tiny feet already anticipating a scamper, and she is off to the Sanctum to ‘hide’, which begins the second round of the game. Her favorite place to hide is, of course, by her mother’s feet, hugging lovely calves hidden under a long crimson robe. Hunched over like some predator, I creep with heavy feet into the Sanctum, comically growling, “Where is she?”. My wife and I share one of those moments-to-remember looks as I continue to slowly circle around them both and then prowl back into the bedchamber.

Round three demands that I drop to hands and knees, musically mutter “Baniel, where are you?” in a mockingly sly growl as I peer under the bed. Instantly, our toddler springs from her lair, bare feet rapidly padding against the tiled floor. She rushes to me, her protracted delightful battle cry warbling with her quick pace.

“DAA-AA-AA-AA-AA-AA!” This is her game version of her name for me, “Da”.

The round concludes with me rolling onto my back, surprise on my face. With her predator now openly weak and exposed, the victorious toddler leaps spread-eagle onto my stomach, and we hug and laugh our first laugh together of the day. Many more will follow.

Seregrian walks into the room, her laughter joining ours, and saves the predator by lifting Baniel up into mother’s arms, saying, “My little champion must be hungry now.” They return to the Sanctum where mother and daughter again bond, babe to breast.

I lay on the floor for a long moment, gazing upon them and happily counting my blessings.