Emma sat on the living-room sofa, scrolling through photographs from the day.
Daniel walked over and sat beside her.
“Look at this one,” he said.
It was a photograph of Lily sitting on Grandma's lap, smiling with her entire face.
Emma laughed.
“She knows she's the center of attention.”
Daniel nodded.
“She's been training us since birth.”
Across the room, Lily was playing on the soft rug.
She suddenly noticed her parents sitting close together.
Her eyes widened.
She stood up, grabbed her bunny, and toddled toward them.
“Mommy!”
Emma opened her arms.
“Come here, sweetheart!”
Lily climbed onto the sofa and squeezed herself between her parents.
Daniel smiled.
“Is someone jealous?”
Lily shook her head.
“No.”
Then she looked at Daniel.
“Kiss!”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
“Mwah.”
Lily giggled.
Then she turned toward Emma.
“Kiss!”
Emma kissed her cheek.
“Mwah!”
Lily squealed with delight.
But she wasn't finished.
She placed both tiny hands on Daniel's cheeks and gave him another loud, enthusiastic kiss.
Then she turned around and gave Emma the same treatment.
“Mwah! Mwah!”
Daniel pretended to fall backward.
“Oh, no! I've been attacked!”
Emma laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone.
Lily clapped excitedly.
Again!
Daniel covered his face.
“Please, Your Majesty. Have mercy!”
Lily leaned forward and planted one final kiss on his nose.
Then she looked at Emma.
“More!”
Emma kissed her little forehead.
“That's enough kisses for today.”
Lily frowned.
She looked at Daniel.
He whispered conspiratorially:
“Don't worry. We can negotiate later.”
Emma heard him.
“Daniel!”
He laughed.
And Lily, delighted that both of her parents were laughing, joined in with the loudest giggle in the room.
CHAPTER 5 – The Little Boss's Bedtime Rule
That evening, Lily was finally getting sleepy.
Emma changed her into soft pink pajamas and carried her into the bedroom.
Daniel was already waiting beside the crib with her favorite stuffed bunny and a little bedtime storybook.
“Ready for bed, Princess?”
Lily rubbed her eyes.
“No.”
Daniel smiled.
“Of course not. I should have known.”