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Oscar wakes up early in the morning, rubbing sleep crusted from his eyes when he feels a small, gentle hand patting at his cheek. Frankie is beside the bed, already wearing a fabulous oversized t-shirt that proclaims in glittery, shiny iron-on letters. The shirt drapes down on her small little frame, resembling more of a dress than a regular shirt.
"Shhh," Oscar whispers, a big smile spreading across his face as he swings his legs over the side of the bed. "Let's go and surprise Daddy with something special."
In the kitchen, a joyful mess simmers and unfolds around them.
Frankie, with her unlimited energy, insists on assisting with every single task, however big or small it is.
She makes it her business to mash bananas with nothing but a plastic fork, then goes on to scatter an overabundance of blueberries on top of the toast, as if attempting to craft a colourful work of art. With the sort of zeal only a toddler on a mission can have, she dumps an entire handful of jellybeans onto the tray, fashioning a bright and sugary spectacle.
In the meantime, Oscar sets about making what he refers to as "coffee," but which is, in fact, apple juice, and pours it into one of Lando's best mugs, making certain everything feels special.
By the time they sneak into the bedroom, Frankie is bouncing up and down like a rubber ball. Lando stirs when the smell of slightly burnt toast and fruit comes into the room.
"Happy Daddy Day!" Frankie exclaims with great enthusiasm, running over to the bed and shoving the tray at him in a playful manner.
Lando gradually sits up, a bit dazed as he rubs his fatigued eyes. "Is that jellybeans on toast?"
"A sweet breakfast surprise for you," Oscar says with a mischievous glint, showing a sly smile as he carefully places the beautifully presented tray on Lando's lap. "This delicious meal was prepared with lots of love. And a dash of chaos to mix things up."
Frankie puts on Lando a crooked, sparkly paper crown and begins to pat his shoulders in a toddler version of a massage.
"This is by far the best pamper day I've ever experienced," Lando exclaims with a thrill, as he meets Oscar's gaze and reciprocates with a warm and welcoming smile.
They crawl into the living room after breakfast. Frankie gets them all to wear matching pyjamas and helps build a massive pillow fort. Inside, amidst blankets, snacks, and stuffed toys, Oscar gives Lando a small photo album.
The pages are filled with Polaroids: Lando holding Frankie for the first time, their first official family photo together, Frankie asleep on Lando's chest, Oscar holding her tiny hand at the zoo, their first trip to the beach. There's another picture of the three of them on the last page, Lando kissing Oscar's temple while Frankie giggles in the background.
Lando remains silent for a while, in reflection, then draws Oscar and Frankie into a close and warm embrace. "Thank you, I love you both so much."
They fall asleep that evening inside the fort they constructed. They are wrapped closely together under a big pile of warm and cozy blankets. Frankie is all cozy inside the comfortable lounge between the two of them, and Lando still wears his glittery crowning crown on his head.
--
Lando pads softly and silently out of bed, gently holding the small shape of Frankie in his arms as she stretches cutely against his shoulder. In a low tone, he informs her, "Operation Papa Day is officially a go," and she responds with a sleepy giggle.
At home, Lando makes do with what he refers to as "Aussie essentials." The toast made with Vegemite is a bit too crunchy, the lamingtons are store-bought from a bakery down the street, and the flat whites resemble beige whirlpools of anarchy. Frankie is adamant about putting jellybeans back into the mixture.
"Papa likes jellybeans," she states with utmost gravity, as though it were some axiom or decree.
When Oscar gets to the kitchen, he pauses, blinking at the scene: Lando with flour all over his face, Frankie wearing an apron and the words "Sous Chef" written on it in handwriting, and a tray piled high with suspiciously edible goodies
"Surprise! Happy Papa Day to you!" Lando excitedly exclaims with a smile.
Oscar erupts into laughter, his joy evident as he wraps Frankie into his arms with gusto. "This is, without a doubt, the most beautiful disaster I have ever encountered in my life."
They sit around the table in relaxed style, enjoying the sweet jellybean-covered lamingtons and sipping their hot coffee, while Frankie cheerfully sings a whimsical song he has made up about toast and fathers.
After breakfast, Lando grins and pulls Oscar in the direction of the living room.
It has been transformed beyond recognition.
In the very middle of the floor, there is a striking chequered picnic blanket that brings a touch of whimsy, and this lovely blanket is surrounded by a sweet group of plush kangaroos, cuddly stuffed koalas, and silly toy crocodiles. Frankie has also had a new look; she is now proudly sporting a small explorer hat that is just right for her adventurous nature, and she is jubilantly waving a hand-made flag that says "Outback Safari," displaying his imaginative play.
"Lando, have you just turned our apartment into an Outback or what?"
"With the assistance of someone," Lando says, as he gestures toward Frankie with his hand.
Oscar's eyes shine with warmth and joy as he embraces them both in a warm embrace. "You two are absolutely insane in the very best possible way but this is actually perfect."
That night, after Frankie has been properly tucked into bed and cosily settled in for the evening, Lando takes the opportunity to present a final surprise to Oscar, a beautifully made, hand-drawn card that Frankie has spent all week labouring over.
Inside, there is a festive message in bold rainbow crayon letters that reads: "Happy Father's Day Papa. I love you THIS MUCH," accompanied by her tiny handprints rendered in bright and colourful paint.
Oscar is all cuddled up on the plush, comfortable sofa, clutching the card close to his chest as Lando puts an arm around him in a warm, loving manner.
"Are you okay?" Oscar nods slowly, his voice choked with feeling.
"Yeah. Just. I didn't know it could really be this good." Lando pecks him on the cheek.
"I love you" Oscar places his head on Lando's.
"I love you too. Always."