Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
She threw herself at them, toppling them over onto the floor with a thump.
“At least there’s a rug this time,” Brody joked as they lay there for a moment.
She plastered kisses on their cheeks, then jumped to her feet. “Come on, Daddy and Brody-bear, let’s go play!”
Both of them got to their feet. “How about we get you dressed in some play clothes first?” the Fox suggested.
“Play clothes?” She wasn’t sure. She was wearing one of her dark sweatsuits and wristbands.
“I’ve got a whole wardrobe. You wouldn’t let all of this go to waste, would you?” The Fox opened a door by the crib and she gasped as she followed him in. The closet was huge and filled with brightly-colored clothing. Dresses, skirts, tops, and tights. There were at least ten onesies as well. One was a fox and another a bunny. Then there were ones that would be more comfortable for sleeping in.
“I even have some T-shirts in here for you, Pup.” He drew one out. Written on the front were the words: Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come.
She had to giggle. Brody grabbed the T-shirt and immediately got changed. “I love it.”
“Good. Now, what to put my baby girl in? Hmm.”
“I’m okay, Daddy Foxy.”
Turning, he cupped her shoulders. “I’d love to dress you. It would make me feel happy.”
“It would?” She felt amazed that she could do that for him.
“Yes. Would you let me?”
She nodded and watched as he chose an outfit for her. It was a pair of shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt with Foxy’s Girl written on the front and a picture of a fox. The shorts had teddy bears stitched onto the pockets.
The outfit was gorgeous. And it would let her move around.
“You okay with me dressing you, baby girl?”
She chewed her lip, looking over at Brody.
“I’ll do it quickly. And leave your bra and panties on.”
She nodded. “Okay, Daddy Foxy.”
“Good girl.” He was true to his word. His touch and gaze didn’t linger. She didn’t know why she was worried. It wasn’t like she didn’t trust him. And Brody was right there.
When she was dressed, she did a few spins in front of the mirror. The sleeves covered her scars, but she also had her wristbands on.
“Come on, Daddy, Brody-bear! Let’s play!”
32
“Race you to the top again, Brody-bear!” she cried.
“I can’t. I’m exhausted.” Brody flopped onto his back on the floor, staring up at where Autumn was poised by the ladder.
If he was exhausted, then she had to be as well.
The Fox sat next to him, looking strained. He’d had to go out to take several calls. But to Brody’s surprise and delight, he’d also played with them. There had been at least three games of the floor is lava. And countless races.
“Whee!” she cried as she went down the slide, her arms in the air. She sat in the ball pit for a moment.
“She’s pale,” the Fox commented.
“She needs a nap.” Brody grinned at the other man. “Good luck with that, Daddy.”
The Fox just raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think I can manage that?”
“I’m sure you can. I just think you’ll be in for a fight.”
“She’ll do as I tell her.”
Oh, famous last words.
“Bunny, come here,” the Fox called out.
“In a minute, Daddy. I’m busy.”
The Fox frowned. Brody hid a smile from him. If he expected instant obedience, then he was going to be disappointed.
“She needs to listen to me.”
“When she’s in Little headspace, it takes more to get her attention. Plus, her Little might be testing you, she’s braver like this.”
“Testing me?”
“Subconsciously, she probably wants to see what you’ll do if she’s naughty. If she pushes the boundaries. To make sure you won’t leave. Just don’t be too harsh on her.”
The Fox drew in a sharp breath. “Right. I don’t plan on being harsh. But listening to me is important. Sometimes it could be a life and death situation.”
“I’m sure if the situation was grave, she would listen.”
The Fox grunted, then stood. Brody watched on.
“Bunny, I said to come here,” the Fox said more firmly. “You need to listen when Daddy tells you to do something.”
Autumn sighed. Long and loud. But she moved toward the Fox. Brody could see the way she drooped with exhaustion and frowned. She didn’t have much energy right now.
“But, Daddy, I was playing.”
“Yes, and you can go back to playing later.” The Fox lightly grabbed her chin, tilting her head back. “But you need to learn to listen.”
“Okay, Daddy, I’m listening now.”
“It’s time for a break and a snack.”
“Nuh-uh, Daddy. I’m not hungry. And I found a Legos set over in the cupboard that I wanna do.”
She did? Huh, that sounded like fun.
“After you’ve had something to eat. We’ll go up to the kitchen and . . .”
“Daddy, no. Can’t I keep playing while you get the silly snack?”