Chapter 42
42
Reuben fixed his girl a snack and carried it to the bedroom.
He found her sitting on the floor with her new doll. As soon as she saw him, her face grew red.
He didn’t like that. She should be completely at ease with him no matter what she was doing.
“I hope it’s okay for me to play with this stuff. I didn’t think . . . maybe you wanted me to wait.” She stared around at the toys with worry.
“They’re your things, Little Blossom,” he told her firmly. “Why would I tell you that you couldn’t play with your own things?”
“Oh. Right. It just feels . . . surreal. All of this stuff for me.”
“You deserve all of it.” He set the tray down on the nightstand before joining her on the floor.
“Thank you.” Her eyes went wide. “What are you doing?”
“Uh, sitting. Why?”
“On the floor. Do you sit on the floor?” she asked.
“Why wouldn’t I sit on the floor?” He narrowed his eyes. “Because I’m old?”
“Oh, Daddy.” Reaching over, she patted his hand. “You’re not so old that you can’t sit on the floor.”
“I know I’m not so old that I can’t sit on the floor.” He blew out a breath. “You’re teasing me, aren’t you?”
“Sort of. Maybe just a bit.”
“Brat,” he grumbled. “You still owe me some lines.”
“Don’t you think we could forget about those? I thought you would have . . . since you’re so old.”
“I’ll show you old.” He reached for her, dragging her over his lap.
Slap!
His hand smacked down on her bottom. Not hard. He was just playing around.
“Daddy, no! No! You can’t spank me!”
“Of course I can. I’m the Daddy. And I’m not so old that I can’t take you over my knee.”
Slap! Slap!
“Stop, Daddy! You’re young! You’re young! A spring chicken.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. There isn’t much spring in this chicken, unfortunately.” He set her back down on her bottom.
“Of course there is, Daddy. And those gray hairs just make you look sexier.”
“Obviously, I didn’t spank you enough.”
“No, Daddy! You did! I meant it. You’re so sexy. I just . . . you don’t seem like the type to sit on the floor.”
“Guess you don’t think I’m the type to play with you, either.” He reached for Petal and straightened her clothes.
“Um, you don’t have to play with me, Daddy. You’re far too busy and important. Don’t you have work to do? People to terrorize? Small countries to conquer?”
“I was going to take over Holland this weekend, but it can wait.”
She grinned at him. He ran his finger over her freckles. “You’re so beautiful. And I always have time for you, understand? No matter how busy I am.”
“Daddy?” she asked.
“Yes, baby?”
“Is everything all right? Your phone call with Xavier . . . it seemed a bit tense.”
“Really? Seemed pretty normal to me.”
Faith glanced away, and a strange feeling filled his stomach.
Was this . . . was it guilt?
Hmm. It had been a long time since he’d felt guilty about anything.
“I really want this to work between us,” she told him.
Oh, he didn’t like that. It sounded like she thought there was a possibility that this wouldn’t work.
Which wasn’t possible.
“It will work between us. There is no possibility of it not working because I never intend to let you go.”
“Thanks, Daddy. I might keep you too.”
“Might?” He gave her an outraged look.
“Okay, okay, I’ll keep you too. Sheesh. You’re very needy.”
He snorted.
Faith needed Reuben to know that he could share things with her.
She wasn’t weak. While she liked him protecting her, he didn’t need to completely shelter her.
“Reuben, I want you to know that I’m here if you need to talk about something. I won’t . . . I won’t break, you know. I want to be here for you. Like you are for me.”
He eyed her for a long moment. “I don’t want you worrying. I need to take care of things for you. It’s not a desire. It’s part of who I am.”
“And I like that. Sometimes, it feels like I’m drowning in my worries. There are times when I lie in bed with this weight on my chest, thinking about everything that could go wrong . . . everything I could have done differently.” She rubbed at her chest.
“See? I don’t want to add to your worries. I’m here to take them away.”
“You can’t take all of my worries away.”
“Sure, I can.”
He was so arrogant, but she gave him a small smile. “It doesn’t make you less strong to lean on me.”
“I won’t tell you things if I think they’ll worry you,” he replied stubbornly.
“All right.”
“Some things are confidential,” he added.
“I understand that.”
He cleared his throat. “However, I suppose I can tell you that Juliet is having nightmares about the accident even though she still can’t remember what happened. She only knows that she was scared.”
Sympathy flooded her. “That’s terrible. I can only imagine how awful she must feel. Is she healing all right?”
“Physically, yes. But emotionally, Xavier said she’s fragile. I want to hire a bodyguard for her. But more than that, I want her here with me.” He looked surprised that he’d said that.
“I can understand that,” she said.
He stared at her in surprise. “You can?”
“Yeah. You’re so protective. Your first instinct is always to take care of those around you. You stand up for the people who don’t have voices.”
“I’m not that man, baby. I’m not that altruistic. Everything I do is selfish.”
She burst into giggles. But he just stared at her, not even smiling.
“Oh, you were serious?” she asked.
“Yes, I was serious, brat.”
“Daddy.” She climbed into his lap, facing him. Then she cupped his chin, the way he always did to her. “You are not selfish.”
“I am. I decided I wanted you so I did what I thought was necessary to take you.”
“What was necessary?” she asked curiously.
“That isn’t important. What’s important is that you know I’m not the hero in this story.”
“But you’re the hero in my story,” she whispered. “I’m certain you’re the hero in Juliet’s too.”
“She has two other heroes. I don’t like that.”
“You need to learn to share, Daddy.” She wagged a finger at him.
“Do I? Because I will never share you.”
She sucked in a breath. “No. And I wouldn’t want you to.”
“That’s my good girl.” Dipping down, he brushed his lips over hers.
“I take it that Xavier wasn’t thrilled at your demand that Juliet come here?”
“What makes you think I demanded it?” he asked.
She sent him a dry look.
“No, he wasn’t happy. I wish she could remember what happened. What if someone knocked her off the road?”
“Is that a possibility?” she asked.
“At this point, anything is possible. Although, I don’t believe anyone in Wishingbone would do that because they know I’d torture them for the rest of their miserable life.”
She knew it wasn’t an empty threat.
There was a worry line between his eyebrows and she rubbed it gently.
“Just try not to shut me out entirely, please?” she asked.
“I’ll try. No promises.” He kissed her. It was long and hot and when he drew back, her head was spinning.
“I want you to move in with me,” he told her.
“Yes, I’d figured that out.”
“But I’ve decided I will give you more than a week to decide.”
That was a surprise. “How long are you giving me? Two weeks?”
He gave her a proud look. “My baby is starting to figure me out. But no, I’ll give you longer than that. I’ve been told not to overwhelm you or you’ll run.”
Xavier must have told him that.
Thank God he was listening.
Right. And that’s not a pang of disappointment you’re feeling?
“You won’t run from me.” It was a statement, but she thought she heard a hint of vulnerability. That wasn’t like Reuben at all.
“I won’t, Daddy.”
“Good girl. I ‘m trying not to bulldoze you into giving me everything I want. All I want is for you to be safe and happy.”
“Because you’re my hero.” She moved her hands to his shoulders to massage the tight muscles.
He shook his head. “You’ll be disappointed if you cast me in that role.”
“I could never be disappointed in you, Daddy.”
Reuben groaned. “You’re just too fucking precious. So sweet and naive. You could be taken advantage of.”
“But you won’t let that happen.”
“No. Not unless it’s me taking advantage of you.” He ran a finger under her right eye. “You didn’t sleep for long.”
“No. I was having a bad dream.”
“Baby, what was it about?”
“Losing you. In my dream . . . I lost you. I couldn’t find you. I called for you, but you didn’t answer.”
“That’s never going to happen.” He drew her in close, holding her tight. “You will never lose me.”
Faith nodded, although she wasn’t sure she believed it yet. Sometimes, it felt like she’d lost everything good in her life. She knew her family would always be there for her. But she felt like she’d lost their respect when she’d failed.
“I wouldn’t allow it to happen.”
“I know you wouldn’t, Daddy.”
“Good girl.” He kissed her again, then tapped her nose. “Now, it’s time for your snack. My Little girl will be getting hungry.”
She could tell he was trying to lighten the mood and she appreciated it.
“I can’ts have a snack, Daddy! I have to feed Petal. You know, I don’t think they fed her in that store. She’s skin and bones.”
“Poor Petal. That’s terrible. Well, how about you feed your baby, while I feed mine.”
“All right, Daddy. But we have to have the exactly same food. That’s just the rules.”
“Hmm, I’ve never heard that rule before.”
“That’s okay, Daddy.” Reaching over, she patted his hand. “If you have any questions about taking care of a Little, you can just ask me. I’m an expert.”
“Well, it’s good that you’re an expert. So what is it that you’re going to feed Petal?”
“I was thinking chocolate cake and cream.”
“Well, unfortunately, all I’ve got is carrot sticks, sliced apples, and peanut butter.”
“Hmm. I guess I could substitute with cookies and milk.”
“How about a compromise?” he suggested. “You have the carrot and apple first, then you get cookies and milk.”
Faith picked up Petal and whispered to her. “What do you think Petal?” With a nod, she set Petal down. “Petal is agreeable as long as the cookies are chocolate chunk or snickerdoodles.”
“I think I can manage that.”
“Very well.”
Reuben grabbed the plate of snacks and settled back down next to her. She pretended to feed Petal as he picked up a piece of carrot and held it to her lips.
Faith chewed. “Petal isn’t fond of carrots. She prefers apples. Or chocolate.”
“It’s a tough life being a doll. But carrots are good for you . . . I mean for Petal. And being a good baby girl parent means getting your vitamins.”
“You know, Daddy,” she said after swallowing some apple with peanut butter on it. “You can get your vitamins other ways.”
“Other ways?” he asked before feeding her some more apple, followed by some water.
“Yep. They make them in yummy gummy form now. I’ll buy you some, Daddy. I think you could use them.”
“And what vitamins do I need?”
“Well, maybe not vitamins. It’s just, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but you’re a bit uptight. I was thinking of something to keep you more regular.”
“Regular!”
“Yeah, to relax the sphincter.”
“Relax the sphincter? You brat!”
He lunged for her and she rolled back then jumped onto her feet, holding up Petal between them. “Daddy, no! You wouldn’t hurt someone carrying a baby!”
“Of course I wouldn’t. But that’s not a real baby.”
She sucked in a horrified breath. “Daddy! How could you say such a thing! Petal is real. It’s okay, Petal.” She rocked her back and forth, then she put the doll against her chest, patting her back. “Hush, hush. I’m sorry Daddy is so cruel.”
“I’m sorry, Petal,” Reuben told the doll. “Of course you’re real. What can I do to make things up to you?”
“Hmm, let me ask her.” She whispered to Petal. “She said three cookies.”
“Two cookies. Final offer.”
“Daddy, she’s very hurt!”
“I could make it one,” he warned.
“Two is good! Two is fine!”
Reaching over, he drew her against his chest. “Nice try, baby.” Then he slapped her ass twice before walking out of the room.
Huh. Rude.
But Faith wasn’t going to complain. She was getting two cookies.
“Now, Petal. I think we need to put a diaper on you and your pajamas.” She moved over to the accessories that they’d bought for the doll.
She was attempting to tighten the diaper up when Reuben returned with the cookies and milk. “Daddy, this diaper won’t go on properly. It’s not very sticky.”
“Let Daddy try.” He sat next to her and took hold of Petal.
“Petal needs to go to bed. She’s very, very tired.” Faith yawned as she took a cookie and bit into it.
“Sounds like another Little girl I know.”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,” she mumbled around another big mouthful of cookie.
“Uh-uh, Little girls need to use their manners. Did you say thank you for the cookie?”
“Um. Thank you, Daddy,” she said after swallowing.
“That’s better and no more talking with your mouth full.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She took another bite of cookie as he held up Petal who was now diapered.
“Daddy! You did it! How did you learn to diaper a dolly?”
“Us Daddy’s just have skills.”
She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight. “I guess you do.” A sad sigh left her. “It’s getting late and I need to go home.”
“No.” He tightened his hold on her.
Yeah, she’d known this wouldn’t go down well.
“I have to. I have to go to work in the morning and my boss is a real tyrant if I’m late. So I need to go home and get some sleep and make sure I have clean clothes and underwear.”
“Your boss thinks you should go to work with no underwear.”
“No. That doesn’t sound like something he would say. Or maybe it’s the way you’re saying it. You need to scowl and say it in a really grouchy way. ‘Faith! Get your ass to work tomorrow minus the panties! Or you’re fired!’”
“I do not sound like that.”
“Uh-huh, you totally do. I am the bestest at boss impressions.”
“You made me sound like SpongeBob SquarePants’ boss. The grouchy dude.”
“Oh. My. God.” She gaped at him. “That’s it! That’s who you remind me of. You’re Squidward!” She clapped her hands. “Oh, that’s been bothering me for ages. Now, I know.”
“I know that you’re a brat who still owes me lines and needs another spanking for calling me Squidward!”
Standing, she laughed. “No, Daddy! No!”
He stood and reached for her. She barely managed to dive away with a squeal.
“Come back here!” he demanded.
“No, Squidward! You won’t catch me! I’m the Gingerbread man!”
“Uh, there’s no Gingerbread man in SpongeBob SquarePants,” he pointed out as she raced off out of the room.
“Daddy, no being logical!”
“Get back here!” he demanded.
She giggled as she ran around the living room. She’d never thought Reuben would relax like this . . . that he could have fun.
And she vowed that she was going to make him do this more often. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, and whether he liked it or not, she was going to take care of him as well.