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“But it’s worth it, right?”
“Definitely.” Elena giggled and looked over to where Liam was sitting in the other chair, reading a book. “Oh, I took some pictures. You won’t believe the snow here. It’s so pretty! Hold on, I’m sending them now.” After attaching the photos, Elena sent them as a text message.
“Wow! Oh, I love your snowman! Are those animal tracks?”
“Yes, hang on a minute.” Elena jumped down from her chair and took the phone over to Liam. “Daddy, do you know what animal made these?”
Liam took the phone and enlarged the photo. “Yes, those were made by a rabbit.”
“Aw, I wish I’d found him in the…” As his eyebrow lifted, she said, “Um, never mind. Thanks, Daddy.” Returning to her chair, she told Katie they were bunny tracks. The girls continued to chat about the photos, Elena telling her about building Mr. Snowy and the fact that they would go into town soon to buy food for the animals. “I wish you were here,” Elena said as their conversation began to wind down.
“I do too, but you and Uncle Liam need time to yourselves. Maybe we can visit later,” Katie said and though Elena had been sincere, she also believed that she and Liam needed time to adjust to the change in their dynamic. Well, she sure did. Her daddy seemed to know exactly what he was doing.
After ending the call, she returned the phone to Liam and crawled up onto his lap.
“Everything all right?”
“Everything is perfect, Daddy. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby girl.”
They watched The Little Mermaid,which was one of her all-time favorite movies. When it was over, Liam didn’t shut off the computer. Instead, he opened a document.
“Remember when I said we’d discuss the rules?”
Elena had forgotten, but his question reminded her that he definitely had. “Yes, sir.”
“You read them now while I fix some cocoa. Then we will discuss them.”
“All right, Daddy,” she said, as he stood and set the laptop across her knees. Looking at the screen, she smiled at the title he’d given the document and read down the list.
My Elena’s Rules
I will trust my daddy as his goal is to take care of me in all ways.
I will obey knowing that his aim is to help me become the little girl I desire to be.
I will not curse.
I will not belittle myself because I am perfect just the way I am.
I will bring my fears, questions, or concerns to my daddy so that he may help me deal with them.
I will accept that my daddy will make the decisions.
I will accept that my daddy will punish me when I am naughty—in any way he deems necessary.
I will be sincere in my confessions, my apologies, and in making my penance.
I will remember that I, Elena Michelle, am the most treasured, the most loved little girl in the entire universe.
It wasn’t a long list, but it made her feel exactly as the last line read—loved and treasured. Some would be harder to remember, such as cursing, which she tended to do when she felt extremely frustrated. And, of course, accepting any and all punishments wasn’t her favorite rule, but she knew it was a basic stipulation of this dynamic. There could not be two leaders in their relationship. She couldn’t ask him to take the responsibilities and weight of the world off her shoulders and then turn around and deny him the authority of punishing her when she acted out or broke the rules they’d agreed on.
“Any questions?”
Looking up, she saw her daddy and smiled. “No, these are pretty self-explanatory, Daddy.”
“Up,” he said, waiting until she’d jumped up before taking her seat and pulling her back down. “Okay, but anytime you have questions, you may ask me and we can discuss them.”
