Page 114 of Daddy, Take Me Away
“Just a bad dream.”
“That’s right, baby, just a bad dream. You’re safe here with Daddy,” I promised, patting her bottom. It took a while, but eventually she fell back to sleep. I spent several hours just holding her, before I joined her in dreamland.
Tyler
The hotel door opened before I could get the keycard out of my pocket. Elliot hugged me tightly.
“Miss me?” I teased him, returning the hug the best I could. My arms were full of bags and luggage.
“I did, actually. And I was worried about you.”
His concern was sweet. “I’m fine. I promise. I went to therapy yesterday; he said he’s pleased with my progress and he feels like the medication combination is working well.”
“That’s great, Tyler. Why didn’t you tell me that yesterday, dammit?” he complained, moving back so I could enter the room.
Laughing, I shoved a large diaper box into his chest. “I was pretty busy packing and grabbing the things you forgot.”
He grinned sheepishly, taking the box. “Thank you. I have no idea how I didn’t bring enough diapers. I haven’t said a word to Tinsley, but we were down to two.”
Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes and lugged my suitcase through the door.
“You’re sure this is what you want to do?” I asked, setting everything down in the large kitchen.
“Try again,” he said, propping up against the counter and crossing his arms. I hated that he could read me so well. “Don’t pretend this concern is just for Tinsley. What are you feeling anxious about?”
“I am worried this will mess everything up.”
“Define everything.”
“You’re a bossy son of a bitch,” I griped.
“That’s nothing new, now what do you mean?”
“She and I have such a sweet relationship, what if this ruins it? What if it was just a fantasy? What if it isn’t something she wants to live full time? What if I lose her and then you? You both mean so much to me.”
“Oh, Tyler, how long have you been worrying about this?”
“Just since yesterday.”
He shot me a ‘you’re full of shit’ look.
“Since you guys left,” I admitted.
“Buddy, I’m sorry. I knew you were anxious last night, but I didn’t realize it would run so deep. I should have known your anxiety about this would play up while we were gone.”
His compassion and concern for me, and for others around him was one of the things I loved about Elliot the most. He didn’t care that I wasn’t always in charge of my emotions. He didn’t mind when I had bad days.
“You aren’t a mind reader, and I know I could have called you, but I really wanted Tinsley to have some alone time with you.”
“We can discuss all the things wrong with your thinking—and lack of communication—later, but let’s go ease your mind,” he said, before grabbing my arm and pulling me into the bedroom.
Tinsley
I woke to soft kisses being pressed to my cheeks. Smiling, I snuggled into the warm body. It took me a minute to realize the body didn’t smell like Daddy, it smelled like… My eyes shot open and I sat up like a shot.
“Uncle Tyler!”
“Hey, Teenie!”
