25. Bodie
Bodie
The safehouse is quiet, the kind of quiet that feels like a hug after a storm—with Vince’s threat gone, it almost feels like a sanctuary, somewhere where I can let go of the past, safely ease myself back into the real world.
But first, I’ve got a job to do…
The ocean’s hum slips through the cracked window, mingling with the soft creak of the floorboards as I move around the tiny bathroom, gathering supplies.
Henry’s perched on the edge of the tub, his broad shoulders slumped, his black tee torn and bloodied where Vince’s knife grazed his arm.
There’s no other way of putting it, my Daddy is a mess—sweat, dirt, and that stubborn Daddy look in his dark eyes, like he’s still ready to fight the world for me.
My heart’s doing flips, my Little side glowing just being near him, but my grownup side’s worried, fussing over his wounds like they’re my own.
I’m in my romper, Poot and Billy watching from the couch in the next room, and every time I call him Daddy, it feels so right I could burst out laughing with sheer joy.
I nod and Daddy gingerly removes his t-shirt, or what’s left of it. It’s time to get to work…
“Daddy, hold still ,” I say, my voice soft but bossy, my Little side in full swing as I dab antiseptic on the gash. The cut’s not deep, but it’s angry, red and raw, and I wince as he hisses, his jaw tightening. “Sorry, I know it stings, but we need clean it good.”
Henry chuckles, low and gravelly, his eyes softening as he watches me work.
“You’re a regular nurse, Little One,” Henry says, his Daddy tone warm, teasing. “I didn’t know my surfer boy had this in him…”
I smile and grab a gauze pad from the first-aid kit Cole left behind when they came to the house.
“I’m full of surprises, Daddy,” I say, grinning, my Little side bubbling up.
“Bet I could patch you up and out-surf you.” I press the gauze gently, taping it down, my fingers careful but sure.
Calling him Daddy feels so natural now, like it’s always been there, waiting to spill out.
“You know, I wanna shout it from the rooftops… Henry’s my Daddy! Just so everyone knows.”
Henry’s laugh is deep, echoing in the small bathroom, and he reaches out, ruffling my hair, his big hand warm on my head.
“You do that, sweet boy, and you’ll have every surfer in Sunny Ferns jealous,” Henry says, his eyes crinkling with pride. “My darling boy’s got a voice louder than a foghorn when he wants it to be.”
I giggle, my cheeks flushing, but my hands keep moving, wrapping a bandage around his arm, nice and snug. My Little side’s loving this—taking care of Daddy, being his good boy—but I’m chewing on something heavier too.
The pier’s behind us, Vince’s tied up, the cops have him, and the cartel’s scattered, at least for now. That’s all good.
But Henry’s a Guard who lives for danger, and I can’t shake the fear that this—us, our bubble—might fade when he goes back to that life.
I don’t want to lose Henry, not when calling him Daddy feels like home.
I finish the bandage, smoothing the edges, and sit back on my heels, my romper crinkling.
My eyes meet his, and the words spill out before I can stop them, my voice small, my Little side scared but honest.
“Daddy… I’m afraid,” I say. “I’m afraid you’ll go back to being a Night Ops man and…
forget about me.” My fingers twist in my lap, my heart pounding like I’m paddling into a rogue wave.
“You’ll be off on missions, all secret and dangerous, and I’ll just be…
some surfer boy you saved. I don’t want that. I want us .”
Henry’s eyes darken, not with anger but with something fierce, protective.
He slides off the tub, kneeling in front of me, his hands cupping my face, his thumbs brushing my freckles.
“Bodie, listen to me,” Henry says, his voice low, steady, all Daddy authority.
“I’m always gonna be a Guard—it’s in my blood.
But forget you? Not a chance in hell, Little One.
You’re mine—my surfer boy, my Little, my everything.
I want you, too, and I’ll work something out.
We’ll figure this out, together. I promise. ”
Henry’s words hit like a warm wave, washing over my fears, and I lean into his touch, my Little side soaking up his vow.
“You mean it, Daddy?” I whisper, my eyes stinging, but I’m smiling, hope blooming in my chest.
“I mean it,” he says, his lips brushing my forehead, soft but firm, sealing the promise. “You’re stuck with me, ninja surfer. And that means no running off to chase waves without your Daddy.”
I giggle, relief flooding me, and throw my arms around him, hugging tight despite his wince.
“Sorry, sorry!” I say, pulling back, my Little side all fussy again. “You’re hurt, and I’m squishing you!”
“I’ll live,” Henry says, smirking, but his eyes are tired, the night’s toll showing in the lines on his face.
He stands, pulling me up with him, his hand steadying me as we shuffle to the living room.
The safehouse feels so much cozier now, the couch sagging under Poot and Billy, my sketchpad open to a half-finished dolphin from our coloring session. I plop down, grabbing my stuffies, and let out a huge yawn, my adrenaline crashing hard.
My eyelids droop, my body heavy, like I’ve just surfed a marathon.
Henry notices, his Daddy radar on point as always, and he crosses his arms, giving me that stern look that makes my Little side squirm.
“That’s a seriously big yawn, Little One,” Henry says, his voice firm but warm. “It’s bedtime. Daddy’s Orders.”
I pout, clutching Poot, my Little side pushing back just a bit.
“But I’m not that sleepy, Daddy,” I say, my voice high, teasing. “Can’t we stay up a little? Maybe color or… or play stuffie beach party?”
I bat my lashes, hoping to sway him, but another yawn betrays me, and I slump, giggling despite myself.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Henry says, stepping closer, his hands on his hips, all Daddy authority. “You’re exhausted , and good boys listen to Daddy. Bedtime, now. No arguments, or no surf lessons tomorrow.”
My eyes widen, my Little side perking up at the mention of surf lessons.
“You’re really gonna surf with me, Daddy?” I ask, bouncing, Billy flopping in my lap. “Like, for real?”
“Damn right,” Henry says, a grin tugging his lips. “But only if my Little gets his rest. Come on, up you go.”
And just like that, my Daddy scoops me up, stuffies too, his arms strong despite his injuries, and I squeal, my Little side delighted as he carries me to the bedroom.
The room’s small, the bed a mess of blankets from this morning, but it feels safe, ours.
Henry sets me down, tucking Poot and Billy beside me, his hands gentle as he pulls the covers up.
“You were so brave tonight, Bodie,” Henry says, his voice soft, his Daddy tone wrapping around me like a blanket. “Warning me about that SUV, waiting like I asked. I’m proud of you, Little One.”
My cheeks flush, my Little side glowing, and I snuggle into the pillows, his praise making me feel ten feet tall.
“Thanks, Daddy,” I say, my voice small, sleepy. “I just wanted to be good for you. Like at Mavericks, when I rode that huge wave. I was scared, but I did it. For you, I’d do anything.”
Henry’s eyes soften, and he sits on the bed’s edge, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
“I know you would, sweet boy,” Henry says. “And I’d do anything for you. Now, how about a bedtime story to send you off? One with waves and stuffies, just like you like.”
I nod, my eyelids heavy, my Little side sinking into Little Space.
“Yes, please, Daddy,” I mumble, clutching Billy’s sunglasses, Poot’s tusk poking my cheek. “Make it a good one too!”
Henry chuckles, his voice dropping to that soothing Daddy tone, and starts spinning a tale.
“Once upon a time, in a sparkly cove called Sunny Shores, there was a fearless Little surfer boy named Bodie. He had two best friends, Poot the walrus and Billy the duck, who loved adventures. One night, a sneaky sea snake named Vince tried to steal their beach, but Bodie and his Daddy, a brave Night Ops Guard, teamed up to chase him away…”
This time, I know that the happy ending will be for real and I feel my heart fill with joy. Henry’s words weave a magic spell, the cove coming alive in my mind…
Waves crashing, Poot surfing, Billy rocking his shades. My Little side drifts, safe and small, Henry’s voice my anchor.
I picture us together, not just tonight but always—surfing, coloring, building a life.
My grownup side clings to Henry’s promise, that he’ll work it out, that his Guard life won’t steal him away.
I trust him, my Daddy, more than I’ve ever trusted anyone.
My eyes flutter shut, the story fading as sleep pulls me under.
I feel Henry’s lips brush my forehead, soft and warm, and hear his whisper, “Sleep tight, Little One.” My Little side hums, content, and I sink deeper, Poot and Billy guarding my dreams.
But even as I drift, a tiny part of me holds onto the night...
Tending Henry’s wounds, calling him Daddy, confessing my fears. His vow to stay, to make us work. It’s a new wave, scary but thrilling, and I want to ride it with him.
I’m not the freewheeling surfer boy anymore, chasing vibes and running from roots. I want a home, with Henry, where my Little side can shine, and my grownup side can be brave and bolder than ever under his guidance and protection.
The safehouse fades, the ocean’s hum my lullaby, and I dream of sunny shores, of Daddy and me, of a future where we’re together, no matter what storms come…