It was already past eight when you sat on the couch in the living room, your five year old daughter Ella played happily with her toys while you read your book.

That day was sunny, so you spent some time outside with Ella. First, you went for a walk in the park, then to the playground, and afterwards you got her favorite ice cream, which ended up being the highlight of her day. Back at home, you cooked dinner for the two of you and after that you watched one episode of Ella’s favorite show.

You turned your head to glance at the clock and then looked at your daughter, who was still playing with her toys.

“It’s time to go to bed, sweetheart,” you told her calmly.

“But… but,” a yawn interrupted her sentence. “I’m not tired yet!”

“Aww, really? You’re not tired?” you smiled softly. “Your little yawn says something else though.”

After she rubbed her eyes with her small hands, she stood up and joined you on the couch, crawling onto your lap and cuddling against you.

So you stood up and carried her to the bathroom to brush her teeth and get her pajamas on. After that, you carried her into her room and read a bedtime story, but she didn’t fall asleep as usual.

Instead, she looked up at you with her big blue eyes, which held a hint of sadness.

“Do… do you miss Daddy?”

“Yeah, of course I miss him,” you answered in a soft tone.

And it was the truth. Since Drew left to film a movie in New York, you both missed him more than anything. Your house felt much emptier without him, but you knew that he would be back soon, well, after he finished filming the other movie in San Francisco.

“I miss Daddy so much,” Ella said, her lower lip starting to wobble before tears began to fall down her little cheeks.

You pulled her into your arms and hugged her tightly. “He will be back soon, I promise.”

“But I want him here, now.”

For a moment, you stayed quiet, thinking about what to say next, and then an idea came to your mind.

“What about we call him? On FaceTime.”

Ella pulled back and beamed at you as she heard your words. “Yes, please! Call him now!”

So you pulled out your phone and called Drew on FaceTime. After a few moments, he picked up and his face appeared on the screen.

“Hey, how are my two favorite girls?” he asked and smiled at you through the screen.

“Daddy, we miss you!” Ella told him.

“I miss you too, more than anything.”

You talked for about ten minutes when Drew suddenly told Ella that she and you should open the door because a surprise was waiting outside.

Your daughter immediately climbed out of her bed, grabbed your hand, and dragged you toward the door.

And when she opened it, both of your jaws dropped.

“Daddy!” Ella squealed and jumped into his arms.

Then he stepped through the door and wore a big smile on his face.

“What are you doing here?” you asked, still in shock.

“Well, I missed you so much, so I took the weekend off.”