Page 78 of Daddy's Little Mama Bear

“So strong,” she mumbled. “Muscle Daddy.”

She giggled and relaxed into his arms as he carried her out to the car.

“Such a silly girl, Pinky,” he said as he sat her in the car and buckled her up.

She nodded her head, but she wasn’t really paying attention to what he was saying. But she didn’t really think he was expecting her to. Janie watched as Daddy took Ellie from Michael’s arms and put her into her carseat, making sure she was secure.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll do it any time at whatever time,” he replied. “And I’m serious. I hope this helped show you that I want to stay.”

She nodded her head. It did but she still didn’t know. Sure, he said that Eleanor was okay and he wanted to take care of her. But in five or ten years would he get tired of her since she wasn’t his own child? That was something she really needed to think about. No matter how much she may like or love Mac, Eleanor was her daughter and she wasn’t giving her up and didn’t want her subject to no love from him if they were together.

“We’re here,” Mac said. “I’m going to go place Ellie in her crib and then I’ll come get you. I’ll be sleeping on the couch.”

“I was going to sleep by Eleanor’s crib. You can sleep in my bed,” she replied.

There was no use in him sleeping on the couch when there was a perfectly good bed he could use.

“How about you and Eleanor sleep in the same bed. I’ll sleep on the couch in case we need to go to the ER,” Mac said. “That way you don’t have to run across the yard without any shoes on.”

Janie looked down at her feet and fully realized that she hadn’t put any shoes on. She had felt the pebbles and rocks go into her feet, but she didn’t fully register it.

“Do I need to look at your feet when we get inside?” Mac asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“I’ll check just to make sure. But first I’ll put Eleanor in your bed and come back and get you.”

She unbuckled herself and waited for Mac to get Eleanor and take her inside. Janie didn’t even think she locked her door when she left. But she couldn’t remember.

“Let me take a look at your feet,” Mac said.

She held up her feet and he inspected them. She giggled as he ran his finger up her foot.

“Ticklish?” he asked.

Janie nodded her head. “Super duper ticklish.”

“I’ll remember that for later,” he replied as he picked her up. “Let’s get you into bed.”

Mac carried her into the house and to her room. He gently placed her down next to Eleanor and kissed her forehead.

“I expect you to sleep in tomorrow,” he said. “But if you need anything, I’ll be on the couch.”

She nodded her head and snuggled into her pillow, right next to Eleanor who was peacefully sleeping.

“Thanks,” she whispered before she fell asleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

JANIE

Janie felt a soft small hand land on her face. She opened her eyes and cringed. They felt so heavy and grimy. She was absolutely exhausted.

“Hi, baby,” she whispered as she stared at Eleanor.

She gently kissed her forehead and frowned. Eleanor still felt a little hot, but it was definitely better than before. Janie looked over at her clock on her desk and realized it was only eight in the morning. Less than four hours of sleep.

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