“Can I have the frozen hot chocolate instead?”
Daddy pins me with a look that has my heart skipping a beat. “That’s for after dinner. Drink your water, Tabitha.”
His stern tone spurs me into action and I take the sippy cup from him and drink.
“Good girl.” Setting the cup aside, he picks up the plate again. “Now that you have some food in your tummy, can you tell Daddy why you were so upset earlier?”
I take another bite of pot roast, chewing slowly to give myself time to think. When I finally swallow, I force myself to breathe deep and give him what he wants—honesty.
“You lied to me,” I manage to whisper past the sudden tightness in my throat.
Daddy’s mouth turns down in a frown. “When did I lie, baby?”
“When you told me about the wedding ceremony. You made it sound like once we said our vows, that would be it. But it wasn’t and you lied and you promised me you’d never lie.”
Understanding lights Daddy’s eyes, followed by something that could almost be sorrow. “I’m sorry. You’re right, I deliberately left out the last part because I was worried you’d spend the whole ceremony panicking over it. I thought I was doing what was best for you at the time, but I’m sorry it upset you.”
“Not sorry you lied, though.”
“Sometimes Daddies need to do what they think is best for their Little ones, even if it means keeping things a secret for a little while. So no, I’m not sorry that I made what I felt was the right call at the time, but Iamsorry I hurt you. I never want to hurt you if I can help it.”
“Unless you’re spanking me.” My tone is sulky, and he’ll probably spank me for being a brat, but I’m still kind of mad at him for not being honest with me.
To my surprise, however, Daddy just laughs. “That’s different and you know it. Spankings and other punishments are meant to hurt so Little girls learn the rules and don’t get themselves in the kind of trouble that could really harm them. But your heart?” He taps lightly on my chest. “I never ever want to hurt that.”
I don’t believe him. Not fully. But I want to, so badly it’s an ache deep in my chest.
So even though I don’t actually believe a word he says, I meet his gaze and nod. “Okay, Daddy.”
CHAPTER 17
COLT
Ifinish feeding my babygirl while simultaneously doing everything in my power not to let the fury bubbling in my veins overflow and spill onto her. After the day she’s had, the last thing I want is to upset her again.
After she eats, she sucks down Eli’s frozen hot chocolate with such glee I can’t help but laugh, and we spend some time just snuggling together in the glider until her eyes droop closed. Once that happens, I rise slowly from the chair, careful not to wake her as I lay her down in her crib. Grabbing the baby monitor, I allow myself one last look before closing the door behind me and heading downstairs.
My family has moved to the living room, where they’re all engaged in a lively game of some sort with my nieces. Not wanting to alarm the Little ones, I force a smile as I step into the room. “Who’s winning?”
“We are!” Lanie cheers, holding up her Daddy’s arm.
Axel grins down at her, and the love that passes between them is so strong I swear I can feel it filling up the room.
“Good job! I hate to disturb your game, but would you and Josie mind if I borrowed all the grown-ups for a few minutes?”
Two sweet Little girls pout up at me. “Can’t we finish our game first?”
“I promise I won’t keep them long and then you can finish up.”
“Okay.” Sighing heavily, Lanie draws out the last syllable. “Can we play with Tabby?”
“Tabby was feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything so she went to bed early. But if she’s up to it tomorrow, you have all day to play.”
“Oh.” She heaves another dramatic sigh, as if this is the most depressing news she’s ever heard, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Okay.”
“We’ll be back in a few minutes.” Leaning down, Axel presses a kiss to his Little one’s hair, and Bram does the same before my siblings all rise from their seats. “You know the rules.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
