#20

Looking back on today, I would say it was a complete success for Mia. She will never forget this special day.

As if she had already guessed that she was in for a big surprise today, she woke me up at 04:45 am. Since I've been living here with the Wang's, she always comes to me as soon as she wakes up. And if she doesn't find me downstairs in the kitchen, she sneaks into my room, crawls on my bed and blows in my face until I wake up. Of course, one or two times I've had the fun of pretending not to notice, or I'd just turn around to the other side.

And then once I turned away, Mia would sit on my chest and whisper, "Mia is awake and hungry, you need to get up now." Most of the time I would then grab her, put her on the bed next to me, and cuddle and tickle her, which would make her laugh so loud that it must actually wake up everyone in the house.

And so she woke me up again this morning and she laughed so happily that I just had to be in a good mood, despite the early time. She cuddled for a moment more, lying next to me, and kept nudging my nose with her little finger, running it over my eyebrows, and then telling me, "I love you Daddy Zhan."

Since I didn't want to tell her about her surprise until after breakfast, I took her to the bathroom where I helped her with washing up, made sure she brushed her teeth properly, and then I made her two braids before we went to her room where she picked out her clothes for the day.

Mia chose a sky blue dress with long sleeves that goes down to her knees. A white thick tights and as shoes she chose her new black boots that her dad bought her. Like a princess who is a bit rebellious, that's how she looked.

Hand in hand we went to the kitchen to prepare our breakfast. Yibo was still in bed resting. I hope his cold will be gone soon. Because it would have been nice if he could have come with us today.

Mia just wanted two slices of toast with jam and her hot cocoa as usual. I ate a banana, a yogurt and a slice of brown bread with cheese. And for Yibo, I made a banana flavored porridge with pieces of a banana. I put his porridge and a freshly made herbal tea on the nightstand next to his bed and let him know that I would leave with Mia at 7 am then and not tell her what her surprise was until we got to the port.

Yibo then called Mia over briefly to remind her how to behave outside. "Please stay by Daddy's hand at all times. Don't talk to strangers unless Daddy allows you to. Be polite to others. You know the drill, good day, goodbye, please and thank you. When Daddy tells you something, you listen to him. Don't touch everything you see. And, I love you my princess."

Mia moaned and replied, "Daddy I'm almost grown up I know all this. And I love you too."

The little one then ran downstairs to put on her jacket, hat, scarf and gloves while Yibo also explained my rules to follow. "Always stay by Mia's hand. Don't talk to strange men. Be polite and turn everyone away, because remember, you're engaged. Don't touch other guys. And, I love you my baobai."

I mimicked Mia and said, "Yibo, I'm already an adult, I know all this. And, I love you too Bo." We refrained from kissing because I don't feel like being the next one sick in bed.

We took Yibo's car because he has the child seat for Mia there. And I honestly didn't feel like removing it and putting it in my car. We were able to save that time.

During the drive, Mia asked me several times where we were going. I didn't tell her. Instead, I turned on the radio and we both sang until we reached the harbor and Mia's eyes got really big.

Because the big warship could be seen from far away, but because Mia mostly looked at me or looked out of the window to the side, she didn't see it before. But then, when she saw it and her eyes got bigger and bigger, I said, "My surprise for you is that today we're going to go on this big ship and see everything there."

Mia was so overwhelmed that she cried. She climbed out of her car seat, crawled forward to me, luckily we were already in the parking lot, and then she gave me a big hug. She thanked me over and over again with huge tears of joy in her eyes. I knew she wanted something like this, but I didn't expect this intense reaction.

I dried Mia's tears and then we were ready for Mia's very big special day aboard a warship.

We got out of the car, Mia took my hand and we set off. And the closer we got to the ship, the more excited she got. And already at the ramp the captain was waiting for us with his first officer and a marine soldier.

Mia looked at me questioningly as we walked towards the three of them and they were already waving at us. When we got to them, I extended my hand to the captain and the others and Mia followed my lead. For the first time since I've known her, she was simply speechless and stared at the three men with wide shining eyes.

I whispered to Mia who the three were and told her she would have to ask the captain if we could come aboard.

So Mia straightened up, made the cutest face ever, and asked the captain, "May I please come aboard? Daddy Zhan has to ask himself."

The captain squatted down and replied, "Permission granted." And then he put a captain's hat on her and explained, "Today you are the captain of this ship and my men must do what you say." Mia jumped and laughed when she heard that and dragged me behind her. Up the ramp and onto the ship where more of the crew were already waiting for their new captain.

I called Yibo and we made a video call so he could see what Mia was experiencing.

Mia stepped onto the deck of the ship and in front of her were 10 crew members. They all greeted Mia in the Typical Military Salute and Mia followed suit. The captain told her that as the highest ranking officer she didn't have to do that, but she said, "Yes, I do, because it's fun." Yibo laughed when he heard that.

Yibo was also very wide-eyed when I showed him the deck of the ship. "Wow, just wow." He said.

We did a lap around the deck before going inside the ship. Of course Mia saw the guns too and was totally fascinated by them. I don't think she understands what those guns mean yet. And she doesn't have to.

Once inside, the first thing we did was go to the mess hall, where the smut (cook) had already prepared something for Mia. His chocolate cake with liquid white chocolate inside. And this, although today is not a Seaman's Sunday. To explain briefly: Seamen's Sunday is a nautical tradition that sailors and marines maintain every Thursday: there are cakes and pastries in the afternoon in the mess halls and common rooms. (I'm just assuming Germany now).

Mia ate immediately and had a second piece, and drank hot milk.

After the refreshment, we looked at the crew quarters, the common room, the fitness room and we even took a look at the engine room, before we went to the important stations, such as the control center, i.e. the technical center of the ship. On the way there, the captain, who should really be called commander if you want it correct, explained some of the commands that Mia should remember until we reached the command bridge.

When we reached the operations center, the commander explained, "From here we watch everything that's going on on and under the water. This is also where your daddy worked quite often. This is practically the head of the ship and when there's a battle alert, I'm down here running everything." He showed her the radar, the sonar and also explained that the guns are operated from there.

After we had finally been on board the ship for almost two hours and had looked at everything so far, we reached the bridge. Again, the captain explained what function it has and also that I also worked here frequently.

All the time I was wondering if the captain will ask me how I became a daddy in a few months.

"So, did our commander remember the orders I told you earlier?" He asked Mia and Mia nodded. The captain took her to his seat and Mia had to give the commands loud and clear.

The anchor was pulled in and the engines started. Mia's eyes immediately grew wide again. She then repeated everything the captain told her and the ship started moving. We went out about 1 nautical mile before it was all engines stop.

The first officer then explained more to Mia, while the captain took me aside and said to me, "Boy, I don't know how you did it in such a short time, but I have to congratulate you. You really have a wonderful, bright and sweet daughter."

I explained to him what had happened in the past few months, not leaving out the fact that I was dating a man. I was afraid he would judge me for that, but I didn't want to lie to him. The captain put his arm on my shoulder and said, "Listen, it doesn't matter who you are with. The main thing is that you are happy. And I think you're very happy."

"Mhm, I am." I replied.

We stayed in that place for a while and all went downstairs for lunch. We had fried chicken breast, with mixed vegetables and rice. And for dessert we had a fresh fruit salad. Mia ate as if she hadn't had anything to eat in days.

After dinner, we went out on deck again, where Mia could try out her new command. She was very happy that all those men and women in their uniforms listened to her. Even when she ordered them to hop on the spot.

Before heading back to the dock, everyone sang two sea shanties together. Then Mia was allowed to give the order to return to the harbor.

Before escorting us off the ship, the captain gifted Mia her captain's hat and gave her a certificate stating that she had done an outstanding job and that she was eligible to be an assistant captain. Needless to say, she was very proud of that. We said our goodbyes, Mia first extending her hand to the captain and then hugging him after all.

On the way home, she called her grandparents and told them about her day. I sent them pictures in between. Of course, she couldn't tell them everything as it was and couldn't really explain what she saw and did. But, she was very happy and chatted incessantly until we arrived at the house where Yibo came to the front door to greet us.

Mia put on her captain's hat, jumped out of the car and ran to her dad, to whom she showed her certificate and told him everything she had experienced. Afterwards, Yibo and I had to build a boat out of blankets and pillows and obey her orders, just like the Navy soldiers did.

Before dinner, Mia was already very tired. So I put her in the bathtub, prepared dinner and showed Yibo all the pictures and videos I made for him. Then I brought Mia downstairs, we ate dinner and she even fell asleep while doing it.

Yibo carried Mia upstairs to her bed, where I'm sure she'll have another dream about what she experienced.

Then Yibo and I sat in front of the fireplace for two more hours, talking about the day, and then went to bed as well. Hopefully Yibo's cold will be gone soon, because then we can sleep in the same bed again.