Page 40 of Smoke
“She was on probation when she damaged the store property and attacked me. She didn’t tell her probation officer she was leaving the state and she violated an order of protection. She headbutted the police officer that arrested her and broke his nose, so she was also charged with assault of an officer. She had drugs on her too. Daddy talked to the police and they said she was probably going to take a deal to serve ten years.”
“Ten years doesn’t seem like long enough,” Allyson said, frowning.
“That’s what I told Daddy, but he told me not to worry. He was pretty confident she wouldn’t bother me anymore. I don’t know what makes him feel that way, but I trust him.”
“Yeah, the Daddies usually aren’t wrong,” Eloise said.
“It’s very annoying,” Allyson added.
I shrugged. “I am so thankful Daddy’s been right about everything so far. Sometimes it is really hard to trust what he says, but he’s got an A+ on all his promises so far,” I said.
“My Daddy has been wrong one time before,” Eloise said.
“Oh yeah? ‘Bout what?”
“Bacon-wrapped asparagus isnotdelicious.”
I giggled. “Ew.”
“What do you think their meeting is about?” Eloise asked, changing the subject and looking worried again.
“My Daddy quit the team,” I said. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to share, but I didn’t like that she was so distraught.
Eloise looked up at me and then at Allyson.
“Do you think our Daddies are quitting?” Her voice was soft and her eyes shone with hope.
“I hope so,” Allyson said, tearing up.
I reached across the table and held both their hands. No words were needed as we sat in silence for a little bit. I knew how they were feeling and I hoped their Daddies could bring them the same peace mine had brought me. Nothing compared to knowing my Daddy would be safe.
A little over an hour later the Daddies walked into the playroom. Eloise and Allyson stood and rushed into their arms. Uncle Bash and Uncle Blade picked them up and whispered something in their ears. They both burst into loud sobs as they clung to their Daddies, like they were their only support at the moment.
“Are they okay, Daddy?” I asked my own Daddy once he’d lifted me in his arms.
“They are, babygirl. They’re moving onto the next chapter of their lives too.”
I was happy for them. We all deserved to feel secure and know our Daddies were safe. Wrapping my good arm around his neck, I kissed his mouth. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, babygirl.”
“Forever?”
“Forever,” he confirmed, and just like all of the other times, I believed him.
Chapter Twelve
Smoke
“Piggies or bunnies?” I asked Ashley.
“Dunno,” she answered around her thumb.
Laughing, I brushed her hair into two small ponies at the crown of her head. “Bunnies it is, babygirl.”
“Tanks,” she said when I stood her up and turned her to face me.
“You are welcome, cutie-patootie.”
