I know... doesn't Baby Luv just seem like the perfect thing that they would have been calling her before they knew she was a Katie? Of course, now that I've nicknamed her that... I can't get that song out of my head. LOL
************************************************************************

Katie finally made an appearance in the kitchen, dressed properly and holding her shoes. Bobby smiled at his daughter, hair sticking up every which way still. “Thought I lost you in the closet.” He teased her, flipping over the French toast before coming over to scoop her up, making her giggle wildly and drop her shoes.

“Daddy!” She squirmed in his arms. “How can you lose me in a closet?” She giggled when he tickled her before setting her in the high bar stool at the island in the middle of the kitchen.

Bobby made a face at her before he pulled the French toast off of the skillet and put a piece on a plate for her, buttering it and putting syrup on it for her. He put her plate in front of her and poured her a cup of milk. “There you go, baby luv.” He said, putting her milk within reach and kissing the top of her head. “Eat your breakfast.” He went up to the bathroom to get her hairbrush and a ponytail thingy… he forgot what they were called and he certainly couldn’t braid her hair the way Tara could, but he could put it up in a ponytail.

He came back into the kitchen and laid the brush and hair thingy down by her before he sat down with his own plate of French toast. He started to eat his, while Katie chattered at him about the things that she had done at Donna’s the day before. He smiled at her. “Is that so?” He asked, putting some canned peaches on her plate since she was done with her French toast.

Katie nodded solemnly. “And then do you know what the squirrel did, Daddy?” She asked, her green eyes wide as she looked at him.

Bobby shrugged. “What did the squirrel do, baby luv?” He asked, curiously.

“He climbed up the pole to the bird feeder and ate the seeds out of it!” She said seriously. “Why did he do that, Daddy? He’s a squirrel, not a bird.” She shook her head, eating her peaches as she stared at him, waiting for an answer.

Bobby chewed his breakfast thoughtfully. “Well, baby luv…” He said, tilting his head and looking at her. “I suppose… that because it’s November… Mr. squirrel could have been hungry. And there are sunflower seeds in bird feed that would have made him happy… like French toast on Thursday mornings makes you happy.” He reached across and tweaked her nose making her giggle again.

When she was done eating, he took her plate and quickly rinsed the dishes, putting them in the dishwasher. He stood behind her and brushed her hair, pulling it up into a lopsided ponytail because she was squirming in the chair. “Let’s get your shoes on.” He said, bending down and putting her feet into her shoes and tying them for her. “Ready to hit the road, baby luv?” He asked. Katie nodded and held up her arms to him. Bobby smiled and bent, picking her up easily and tucking her close. He set her down by the front door so he could shrug into his jacket and bundle her into her jacket before he picked her up again and grabbed her back pack so he could take her to Donna and D’s house.

I LOVE Bobby as a daddy!

Yes, Cindy, I agree, Bobby is a great dad!!!

Joy

I love reading about Daddy and daughter. They seem to have a great relationship, but I bet they both miss mommy sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much.

Great recipe ... minus the cinammon for my family. We'll have it on Saturday morning.


Tara, whatever you do, DON'T forget to call your daughter !!!

I want some french toast. This is making me hungry for it and I dont' have any bread.

Yes, Tara be sure to call baby luv. Very cute!

Cute post, I want more soon!

I'm going to have to agree...Bobby as a Daddy is soo great!

You know, I had planned to write this happy little reply... and then I saw this^^! She'd better call or I'm going to be upset with her! I highly doubt she will forget, but you just never know.

Mione, by the way, I just love this story. Gotta love Daddy Bobby!

daddy bobby is very cute

cath

Now just why do you think I'd let Tara forget about calling Baby luv? As to what she has to share with Bobby... I've got an idea! Oh wait... I'm supposed to! LOL
************************************************************************

When they arrived at Donna’s, Tanya let them into the house. She took Katie by the hand and they went off for a bit so that the adults could talk. He greeted D and took the cup of coffee that Donna gave him. “So are you driving or am I?” He asked D. While Tara was gone, they’d taken to carpooling since Bobby had to come back over to D’s everyday after work anyway.

“Your turn.” D said, around a bite of his toast.

Bobby nodded and turned to Donna. “So… we’re doing ok this morning. She’s not wearing a swimsuit.” Donna laughed. “She is supposed to be getting a surprise today, Tara’s going to call around lunchtime. She’s going to try to.” Bobby said. “And you know as well as I do that a call from Tara is going to do wonders for her. But…” He shrugged. “You also know as well as I do that Tara might get busy again and forget, which is why it’s a surprise. And in the event that she forgets to call…” He pulled a package of M&M’s out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her.

“You’re a good Daddy, Bobby.” Donna said. “She is still at that age where a package of candy is a sufficient surprise, especially since you and Tara limit her candy consumption in the first place, where it is a reward and not a privilige.” She looked over at D. “Why didn’t we ever think of doing that?” She asked, knowing that half of their issues with Tanya and Davey were directly related to sugar consumption.

D shrugged. “Because Tara is brilliant.” He grinned at Bobby. “When’s my top agent coming back anyway?” He asked, he was tired of asking for tech agents on an almost daily basis because who they had working with them had enough and couldn’t hack the volume of work that Tara did daily.

“She’s coming home Saturday and has no plans to leave until time to go to work on Monday.” Bobby said, finishing his coffee as Katie came running into the kitchen. “Whoa there, baby luv.” He scooped her up, making her giggle. “What’s your hurry? You know you’re supposed to walk inside.” He chided her gently.

“Sorry Daddy.” She said, squirming because he was tickling her again. At his raised eyebrow, she looked at Donna. “Sorry Auntie Donna.”

“It’s ok, Katie.” Donna smiled. She admired the way that Bobby and Tara worked so hard to instill manners in their little girl. Katie was a very well rounded little girl so far at the age of 4.

D finished his breakfast and put his dishes in the dishwasher. He came over and kissed his wife. “Well it’s time for us to be going.” He said glancing up at Bobby. “Can’t let you be late even if you are with your supervisor.” He grinned, tickled Katie’s ribs for a second, making her squeal again before he headed over to find his briefcase.

Bobby shifted Katie in his arms and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him, knowing he was leaving. “Now baby luv…” He stroked the back of her head. “You behave for Auntie Donna like usual, ok? She knows about your surprise and will make sure that you get it.” His eyes caught Donna’s and she nodded. “I love you, Katie.” He said softly, kissing the top of her head.

Katie hugged him again. “I’ll be good Daddy.” She promised. “I love you too.” She leaned forward and gave him an Eskimo kiss, rubbing her nose against his like they always did. Bobby gave her one more squeeze and a kiss on the forehead before he reluctantly put her down and followed D out to his car so that he could take them to work.

What a beautiful scene!! And, I'm proud of Bobby to think to bring a surprise for Katie in case Tara doesn't call!!!

Joy

I agree...that was very thoughtful of Bobby. He and Tara are fantastic parents!

I have to agree...Bobby and Tara make awesome parents!

awww bobby is such a lovely daddy

wow this is just adorable, so cute and so very AWWWWWWWWW..

But what does Tara has to share- me wonder????????

Care to share????

I like that Bobby had an emergency plan in case Tara forgot ... Good daddy!

Gotta love the ever-popular contingency plan. It shows that even when they aren't playing FBI, Bobby still knows to have a back-up plan.

sweet post

cath

Why she could end up in Narnia of course!

I think Bobby is a wonderful daddy, even if he lied to his precious baby luv about the squirrel. The squirrel was stealing the poor little birdie's food simply because he was an ornery rodent bully picking on those smaller than himself. He probably doesn't even like sunflowers...he just wanted to spit seeds at the poor gardener's head. In fact he's likely the same squirrel who waited until my sunflower plant was in total bloom before chewing off the whole head and carrying it off along the fence. Imagine my surprise when I looked out my window and saw my prized sunflower walking away?...oh...sorry...wrong story. So...

I wish you hadn't mentioned the song because I hadn't even thought of it and now it's running through my head too.. Ugh!

kav

I'm sorry to hear about your squirrel issues, Kav! Bobby probably didn't want to turn her against squirrels! LOL
************************************************************************

Tara’s morning flew by, a quickness that she was grateful for because she wasn’t feeling that well at all. Her classes benefited because she was prone to let them take more breaks than usual. She smiled cheerfully as she let the class out that was right before lunch. She wandered into the café after securing all of her things in the desk, searching for something that appealed to her. She finally grabbed a container of yogurt and a banana, finding a slightly secluded place to make her call.

“Gans house.”

“Hey Donna… It’s Tara, how’s my baby?”

“The big one or the little one?” Donna teased.

Tara rolled her eyes. “Start with the big one…” She sighed, missing him. They’d be out to lunch right now. Thursdays were reserved for lunchtime with Katie. They always tried to be around the building on Thursdays so that they could sign her out of the preschool and take her for lunch with them. Sometimes it was lunch with all her favorite uncles and aunties…. But most of the time it was just them.

Donna chuckled. “He misses you, that’s for sure. Katie came over in a swimsuit and tutu yesterday.” Tara laughed. “I think he’s given up… At least he put real clothes in her bag so… I let her swim in our Jacuzzi tub and told her that since her suit was wet, she had to get dressed.”

“And I bet Katie never told him she got to go swimming.” Tara laughed again. “Did he tell you what he had to bribe her for?”

“No… but given the fact that Katie’s dressed properly, I’d have to guess that it was about wearing what he wanted her to. He was prepared though. He gave me M&M’s for her just in case you couldn’t get away long enough to call.”

Tara smiled softly as tears came to her eyes. “Always has to make sure his girl isn’t disappointed.” She said quietly. “And baby luv? How’s she doing with Daddy?” She knew Donna would be straighter with her than Bobby had been.

“She’s good, Tara.” Donna reassured her. “She misses you a lot though right now.” Donna went to the door of the playroom and watched Katie draw another picture. “All the pictures she’s drawing are of you.” Tara sighed. “And she takes a long time to fall asleep for her nap, I’ve had to rock her every day this week and Bobby said yesterday that he’s had to rock her to sleep.”

Tara sighed. “I can’t do this again. I didn’t want to be away from the bullpen for 6 weeks though… I should have. I at least would have been home on the weekends.”

Donna hushed her. “Hush girl. This is better… you’ll be home now.” She moved into the room with Katie, smiling as the little girl put herself in the picture with her mama. “Ready to talk?” She asked.

Tara laughed. “Absoutely. Thanks Donna.”

Donna held the phone against her shoulder and knelt down next to Katie. “Katie… remember how you’re getting a surprise today?” She asked softly. Katie looked up at her and nodded. “Well, sweetie… here it is.” She handed Katie the phone and smiled.

Katie looked at Donna dubiously, her green eyes cautious. Donna motioned for her to talk. “Hello?”

“Baby luv!” Tara said. “I miss you so much baby.”

“Mommy?” Katie’s eyes grew wide. “Mommy! When are you coming home? I miss you mommy.”

Tara smiled as her baby girl rambled her way through a greeting. “I miss you too, baby luv.” She chatted with her girl, learning all about the squirrel and daddy’s attempt at baking. She understood, more about his question the other night. He’d been rather vague about why he needed to know about the sifting flour thing. “He made your French toast ok this morning right?” She asked, wishing she’d been home again.

Katie giggled. “Yes mommy. Even if he didn’t let me wear a swimsuit.”

Tara could here the slight pout in Katie’s voice. “He’s right sweetie. November is not the right time for swimsuits unless you’re actually swimming. And I know about Donna letting you swim in the tub.” She cautioned before Katie could protest. “That was special, not an every day thing.” She glanced at her watch, not wanting her chat to end but knowing that she had to teach class. “Katie, baby luv… I love you very much, but I have to go teach now.”

“Ok, Mommy.” Katie said softly.

“I’ll be home on Saturday, and I can’t wait to hug you and cuddle with you.” Tara reassured her.

“And play dolls?” Katie asked hopefully. Daddy didn’t play dolls very well, and Samantha had been sick so Uncle Jack and Auntie Sue hadn’t let her come over for a while.

Tara giggled, knowing that Bobby had probably gone with the baking idea to get around Katie’s request to play dolls. “Yes, baby. We’ll play dolls on Saturday afternoon. I love you, be a good girl.”

“I love you too, Mommy. I’ll be good.” Katie said before kissing into the phone, giggling when Tara did the same. She looked up, seeing Donna had come back in the room and was sitting next to her again. She gave her the phone.

“Tara?”

“Thank you Donna.” Tara said softly. “I’m so happy that you are able to take care of her while I’m gone. I really appreciate it. Give her an extra hug for me please?” Her eyes welled up and she had to swallow hard against the lump in her throat.

Donna smiled, Katie had snuggled up against her. “Absolutely Tara. And sweetie, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing right now. Talk to you soon.” Donna hung up after Tara did and set the phone aside. “Now, how was that for a surprise?” She asked Katie, gently stroking her head.

Katie looked up at her and Donna could see a shimmer of tears. “It was a good surprise.” She nodded. “But I still miss Mommy.” Her lower lip trembled and Donna pulled her into a hug. She rocked her gently for a bit, surprised that no tears really fell and almost laughed when she saw that Katie had fallen asleep. She picked her up and took her to the guest room, tucking her in for her nap.

Tara reluctantly hung up the phone and finished her yogurt. She took the banana with her to eat during the break. She willed Saturday to come quickly. She needed to hold her baby luv and to be held by Bobby. “Soon.” She whispered, taking a deep breath before entering her classroom and greeting the afternoon group.

a really sweet post, glad tara had the time to make the call

cath

This post made me a bit teary-eyed. It reminds me of when my dad would have to go out of town on business all the time when I was little. Of course, the best part about it was that he would always come home with presents... hehe.

I can't wait for Tara to come home.

I'm glad Tara remembered! That was so sweet!

Such a sweet, sweet post, I loved it. Can't wait for more!!!

Very sweet! Tara's blessed to have Donna to watch her baby luv. It must be so hard to be away from her for so long and to have someone you can really trust and count on would mean so much.

That was so sweet. I'm so happy Tara got to call.

aww that was adorable katie is gorgeous and be tinks she may have a sibling on the way

that was awesome...it made me a bit teary eyed too tho

Can you just imagine Bobby playing Barbies? Or pretending at a tea party? I think I'm just as anxious for Tara to get home as Bobby and Baby luv are!

kav

Everytime I read "Baby luv" I melt inside!! That is just too adorable!!!

Joy

I finally caught up and it is fabulous. Katie is so cute. Sad that tara had to go to Quantico and teach, but that's Tara...Bobby is a great father

I guess these will have to do since they got rid of my Stitch! **pouts** (and there's still no facesmooshedinthewindow smilie...)
************************************************************************

Bobby and D arrived shortly after 6. He looked hopefully at Donna. “So…?”

Donna laughed. “I still have a package of M&M’s if that’s what you’re looking for.” She teased. D wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

“Woo hoo!” Bobby exclaimed joyfully, the sound making his daughter hurry in from the living room. “Hey Katie!” He bent down and scooped her up.

“Mommy called me Daddy!” She jabbered at him, her green eyes sparkling for the first time in weeks. “And she will be home on Saturday.” She threw her arms around him and hugged him.

Bobby laughed. “She will be?” He teased, tickling her until she let go and squirmed. “Guess you and I better get home and try our hand at the baking thing again.” He looked at her grinning.

Katie rolled her eyes in a fair imitation of her mother. “Are you going to shift the flour right this time?” She asked with a sigh.

Bobby looked up sheepishly at the chuckles from D and Donna. “Yes baby luv.” He kissed her. “Mommy told me all about shifting the flour.” He tickled her again.

“Ok… ok!” Katie laughed again, squirming to be put down so she could go get her bag.

“Big project if you’re needing to shift the flour.” Donna commented, an eyebrow raised at him.

Bobby shrugged. “Trying to keep busy.” He said nonchalantly.

D laughed. “I think I’d do the same thing if it was me, honestly.” He said, looking at Donna. “Our two would have barely tolerated you being gone a week, let alone a month. It’s hard on a 4 year old.” Donna smiled and nodded.

Katie came back into the kitchen. “I’m ready Daddy.” She said, her jacket already on.

“I guess you are.” Bobby grinned at her and picked her up. “Say good bye then.”

“Bye Auntie Donna.” She said, leaning out of Bobby’s arms to hug Donna.

“Bye Sweetie.” Donna said. “We’ll make something special for Mommy tomorrow too, ok? That way you can have something new to give her when she gets home.”

Katie grinned and nodded before hugging D. “Bye Uncle D.” D kissed the top of her head before she straightened up again and hugged Bobby. “Ok.. Let’s go home now.” She demanded.

Bobby rolled his eyes and laughed. “Ok Baby luv, home it is.” He waved a quick good-bye to D and Donna before picking up the backpack and heading to the car. Once he had Katie strapped into her booster seat, he headed towards home and their baking project for Tara.

Bobby and Katie are so cute! I can't wait for Tara to get home!

Let the baking begin!

Yes! Let the begin! Bobby and Katie are adorable!

Can't wait til Tara gets home!

This is so a cute story

they are really sweet together

cath

I know everyone's already said it, but Bobby and Katie are so cute together.

I can't wait for the family reunion.

Let's try the shifting flour thing again...this will be fun!

Soon... I think we're all counting down with them as we get closer to Saturday! LOL
************************************************************************

She was covered in a fine layer of flour when he finally managed to get her… giggling… into a bath. “Looks like we shifted the flour ok.” He teased, tweaking her nose.

Katie just giggled. “Oh Daddy.” She splashed in the water and bubbles for a little bit. “Will Mommy like the cake?” She asked.

“Mommy will love the cake.” He reassured her. “We made her favorite one, baby luv.” The carrot cake layers were cooling downstairs in the kitchen. “We’ll frost it tomorrow night.” He lathered her hair up with the baby shampoo, shielding her eyes with his hand as he poured a cup of water over her head to rinse the shampoo out. “Wash up, baby luv.” He said when her hair was clean. “It’s past your bedtime.” She nodded and reached for her washcloth so she could wash as he left the room. He went and found her clean pajamas and went to grab the towel he’d stuck in the dryer before they went upstairs. Bobby whistled as he went back upstairs . “All clean?” He asked Katie as he poked his head in the door.

“All clean.” She said with a giggle. He reached in to drain the tub, helping her to stand up so he could turn the hand held shower on and make sure all the bubble bath was off of her before he folded her into the warm towel and lifted her out of the tub. He rubbed at her wet hair with one end of the towel before helping her to dry off in the warm towel. Katie yawned while he was drying her feet.

“Oops… someone’s tired.” He said in a sing song voice, making her giggle again. He helped her into her pajamas and grabbed the blow dryer, making quick work of drying the fine blond curls that covered her head. “All done, baby luv.” He said from his spot on the floor where he’d been working on her hair, watching as she yawned again.

“Thank you Daddy.” She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He chuckled and stood up, carrying her into her bedroom. She held on tighter when he tried to put her in her own bed. “No Daddy.” She protested.

“Katie…” He sighed. “Baby luv, Mommy’s coming back on Saturday, don’t you want to try and sleep in your own bed for tonight and tomorrow?” She shook her head stubbornly. “Well… you’re going to.” He said firmly, gently untangling her arms from around his neck and putting her down in her bed. She pouted. “None of that, baby luv.” He said, poking a finger at her lower lip. It trembled but Katie pulled it back in, a scowl still on her face. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and tucked her snug in her bed. “I love you baby luv.” He said softly, handing her the stuffed Tigger that kept her company when she was in her own bed.

Katie snuggled down and clutched the Tigger tightly. “I love you too.” She said softly, turning her face up for another good night kiss.

Bobby chuckled and gave her another one. “Now sleep.” He said as he got up from her bedside and turned off the light. Her Tigger nightlight gave the room a soft orange glow. “Sleep tight Baby luv… don’t let the dingo’s bite.” Katie giggled sleepily as he left her room, leaving the door open as he went to finish getting things ready for the next day.

Hee hee... dingos...

I have the feeling that Bobby is going to wake up tomorrow morning with a surprise in his bed.

awwww cute

I think ...

Baby luv is counting the sleeps before mommy comes home

Bobby is counting the hours before his wife comes home

We are counting the minutes before your next post

Everytime I read another scene with Daddy Bobby, I just melt.

ADORABLE....

Katie is definitely blessed to have a Daddy like Bobby!

such a sweet post

cath

Baby luv was a little miffed at daddy. I'm glad she forgave him and I can't wait for Tara to return and tell them her news

It's official, my heart is a puddle of goo as I contemplate doting-father Bobby.

kav

It was late, once again, when Bobby finally managed to get himself to bed. He stretched out under the covers thinking about tonight’s conversation with Tara. She’d seemed so excited about tomorrow being her last day to teach and he’d told her how excited Katie had been that she called. He frowned at the ceiling. That had made Tara sad… it would seem. He knew she was probably lying in bed at Quantico berating herself for taking so long to talk to Katie. He sighed and rolled over, if she wasn’t… she was sleeping and He knew she needed the sleep. He chuckled softly as he remembered the fun Katie had with making the cake for Tara. And he sighed as he remembered his worry that she would get out of her bed and crawl in with him… so far so good…. She needed to stay put, he scowled. ‘That could put a serious crimp on my plans for Tara Saturday night if Katie’s not staying put.’ he thought before rolling over the other way and reaching for the phone. He had to make sure Tara was ok…

“What?”

“Just checking on you to make sure you’re not beating yourself up over not calling baby luv.”

Tara laughed softly. “Are you sure it’s not because you’re lonely and just can’t wait for me to come home?”

“Well…” He drawled. “There is that too… Tara luv.” She sighed. “Hey… what’s that all about?”

“I’m lying here staring at the ceiling berating myself for not calling baby luv sooner.” Bobby chuckled softly at her admission. “It’s not funny, Koala Boy…”

“Didn’t say it was… I’m amused by the fact that I knew you would be.” he soothed. “Katie’s in her own bed tonight… I’m waiting to see if I’ll be getting a guest.”

“Ah… because if she doesn’t start now it will put a crimp in the devious… yet romantic… designs you have on me for Saturday night?”

He groaned. “Am I that obvious?”

Tara giggled. “No.” She said. “You told me when we talked earlier. Am I supposed to be worried that you can’t remember what we talked about an hour ago?” She teased.

“Nope. You should take it that I’m so hopelessly wrapped up in you I have but one focus.”

She felt her cheeks blush in the dark. “You’re making me blush again.” She commented, stifling a yawn.

“Ah… good.” He smiled. “That sounded like a yawn, luv. You need your rest, stop worrying about Katie. She’s fine… really and Donna said she was so excited the rest of the day.” he reassured her.

“Ok, Bobby.” She murmured. “I love you… I can’t wait until I’m in your arms again.”

“Me either, Tara luv.” He said softly. “I love you too.” They murmured further sweet good-byes to each other until Tara finally hung up, her eyes already closed and headed for sleep. Bobby sighed lightly and put the phone back on the nightstand, rolling over and letting sleep come to him.