“Please open,” I beg it, knowing full well that I won’t be able to open it.
I let go of the bars and sit in the kennel, accepting my fate that Daddy isn’t going to come and get me. I should have trusted him a long time ago and lived my life happier. He took such good care of me and wanted the best for me, and I decided not to trust him and push him away at every opportunity.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper as I bury my face into my knees.
I continue to cry as the alarm blares in the apartment.
“Nora!” Daddy yells as he runs into the apartment. “I’m right here. You’re okay.”
Sobbing, I launch myself at him as soon as he opens the door.
“Daddy!” I shout as he holds me tightly against him.
He holds me close as he starts walking out of the apartment.
“Everything is okay. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere,” he whispers into my ear.
I hold onto his shirt tightly, sobbing into his chest, the relief of him coming to get me overwhelming me. I’m never going to let him go now. He came to save me, and I’m never letting him out of my sight again.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone,” he apologizes as he stops walking. “Daddy is so sorry you were in there alone.”
I don’t pull my head out of his chest as he talks to me. Daddy just runs his hands through my hair as he bounces me in his arms.
“Everything is going to be okay. You’re safe now,” he coos at me. “Daddy has you.”
Daddy and I stay like this for a while, my cries lessening with each second.
“There was no fire,” a deep voice says, one I don’t recognize.
“Do they know what caused it to go off?” Daddy asks.
Silence fills the surrounding area, and I pull my head back slightly and look around. Whoever is talking to Daddy is right in front of him, so I can’t see what he looks like.
“They don’t. It was tripped. They are looking into it. You can go back to your apartment,” the man says.
“Thank you. Please let me know what you find out,” Daddy says before he starts walking.
“We-we’re going back up?” I stutter as I grip onto his shirt even tighter.
“Shh, you’re okay. There was no fire, so you don’t need to worry. Everything is going to be okay. Daddy is right here withyou,” he gently coos at me. “We’re going back up, and we are going to snuggle on the couch.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath as he continues to walk. Daddy is here, and he’s not going anywhere. I don’t have to worry about it. I don’t have to worry about going back into the kennel.
I shudder at the thought of the kennel. Ineverwant to go back in there, even if Daddy is close by.
“You’re okay.” He kisses the side of my head. “Daddy is here.”
Daddy sits down and places me on his lap, still holding me close. He wraps a blanket around me, and I finally relax in his embrace.
“Did you know that you called me Daddy?” he gently asks. “Daddy didn’t have time to really appreciate it since I was so worried about you. I hope you’ll call me that again.
“Daddy,” I whisper.
“Such a good girl.”
I snuggle into his embrace, letting Daddy warm me up, keep me calm, and protect me.
“Daddy is not going anywhere. Why don’t you get some sleep?” he whispers.
