Page 98 of Daddies' Little Spitfire

Did they hate that she was showing weakness?

“You’re safe,” Daddy whispered.

“Can you look at us?” Papa asked.

Hedda shook her head. That was a no right there.

“Please.”

“Look at Papa and Daddy.”

She slowly lifted her head up and looked at both of them. She was still on Daddy’s lap with his arms around her. It was difficult to look at both of them, but she was trying to make it work.

Papa had said please and his voice just made her want to listen to him. To please him.

“Such a good girl,” Daddy said.

“Now, can you answer my question?” Papa asked. “Do you really believe what you just said?”

Hedda shrugged her shoulders. Sure she meant it and partially believed it. She wouldn’t have said anything if she didn’t partially believe what she said.

“Yes or no, Sweets,” Papa said. “Do you truly believe that we wouldn’t want to be near you? That we should get rid of you right now? Turn you into the authorities?”

She hung her head. Did she believe all of that?

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

It was sad, but she really did. How could she not?

“Oh, Sweets,” Papa gently said as he grabbed one of her hands. “We aren’t mad at you for what you did, and we aren’t giving you away.”

“There’s no fucking way you’re leaving our sides. We’re greedy bastards,” Daddy said. “You’re stuck with us for life now.”

Hedda didn’t know what to do or say. She wanted to believe them and their words, but it was hard. They were good men. How could they want someone like that? Her brother wasn’t a good person. They shouldn’t be tied to that. They were all murderers.

“It’s okay that you’re having these feelings,” Daddy gently said as he cupped her face. She looked into his eyes and saw nothing but love in them. “We’ll work through them and help you to realize that what you did wasn’t wrong. We aren’t appalled about what you did, we aren’t getting rid of you, and we love you.”

Tears clouded her vision and she blinked several times. She didn’t need to cry right now.

“You’re okay,” Papa whispered. “We’re here for you. We aren’t going anywhere.”

Hedda sighed and leaned her face back on Daddy’s chest. Maybe she should chant that every minute to herself so at some point she’ll actually believe it. Maybe they could put up signs for her.

Papa started to rub her back and she snuggled into Daddy’s chest. For how muscular he was, his body sure was comfortable. She could easily fall asleep on his lap.

“This is always going to be a safe place for you,” Papa gently said.

Part of Hedda felt lighter that she had told them and they comforted her. They had made sure she was okay and reassured her. Even though she didn’t want to tell them in the beginning and see their reaction, they were her safe place.

She felt secure and comfortable.

Maybe she could go to them for anything. Would they like that?

They had proved time and time again that they were there for her. Maybe it was time for her to start believing it and coming to them for things.

“Such a good girl,” Daddy whispered as his hand trailed up her bare leg.

She had completely forgotten that she didn’t have any pants or underwear on this whole time. How had she managed to get through this conversation like that?

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