James stared at his watch as he and his daughter waited impatiently for Thomas. He tried to call him, but it was sent to the voicemail. 

"Papa? Is daddy coming?" the small girl asked with glossy eyes. It was her first ballet performance and she was nervous about it. 

"Of course he is, he's just a little late..." he responded and kneeled to check on the little girl's swan makeup. Lucy nodded and sniffling. James helped clean her nose and tickled her to make her laugh, which worked out on his favor. 

Lucy's teacher, Martha Washington announced that it was her turn next and she had to be ready, meaning James had to go to his reserved seat near the stage. 

"You'll do great, princess," James said kissing her cheek and walked out smiling at her. "Break a leg".

Lucy smiled and grabbed Mrs. Washington's hand to walk to the stage with her other classmates. 

James sighed and called Thomas one last time, being sent to the voicemail again. "Thomas, Lucy's performance is in a few minutes and you promised us to come early! I'll turn my phone off now, if you don't come, expect to sleep with Dolley again tonight. Bye." James walked to his seat and turned his phone off. 

Mrs. Washington started her speech, just in time the door opened and closed soon. A man, who was struggling with his tie and holding a bouquet of roses ran to a seat nearby the stage. 

Thomas was panting heavily as he sat down next to James, who only looked at him. "Sorry... I... I was caught into something and..." 

"We'll talk about this at home. Right now, it's Lucy's moment" James responded sounding a little disappointed but glad that he made it.

Thomas gulped and looked at the stage, where his daughter waved at him before she started her dance.

At the end of the show, she ran to him and jumped into his arms. "You made it! I was afraid that you didn't!" 

Thomas handed her the bouquet and smiled. "I'm sorry for being late. I promise I'll explain to you at home why I was late, but for now, I want to take my family to dinner to celebrate this"

Lucy smiled and hugged him as Thomas handed her the roses, starting to walk to the exit, holding Thomas' hand.

James smiled softly following them behind with a soft smile.

//some Jeffmads family, because why not?