Page 72 of Daddy's Little Mama Bear

“How about I feed Ellie while you eat?” Mac suggested. “But if you really want to feed her, you can. I don’t want to take that away from you.”

This wasn’t going to happen again. “You can feed her.” She was safe and would make sure it didn’t happen again.

Janie slowly started to eat the chicken noodle soup and melted into her seat. This was amazing.

“I didn’t do anything special. Just used some packets and used some of the chicken I brought over,” Mac said.

“It’s absolutely amazing. Last time I tried to make it, it was awful. I don’t even know what I did wrong,” Janie said as she took another mouth full. “I followed the directions on the box to a T and it still turned out like crap.”

“Anytime you want me to make you food, you let me know. I was already thinking of making you food and freezing some in your freezer so you had it.”

Her mouth watered at that thought. “You don’t have to do that. You don’t need to. We’re fine how we are.”

“But I want to. I know you have money to buy things and feed yourself. You’re an independent woman who can take care of herself. But I want to help you along the way. Be the shoulder you lean on and cry on when you need it. I’ll be your number one cheerleader as you hit milestones.”

Janie looked down at her bowl of soup. Every time he said something like that, her heart melted and her stomach got butterflies in it. How did he know the right thing to say to her at that moment?

“So, when you have time let me know what kind of meals you would like and I’ll make them for you,” Mac said. “And if it would make you feel better, you can pay for the groceries.”

Her eyebrows shot up. He was going to let her buy the groceries?

“I know, I was shocked as well. But if it’s the only way you’ll let me do it for you, then I’ll bite my tongue and allow you to do it.”

Janie was shocked, but something inside of her changed. He wanted to do things her way, even if it went against what he wanted to do for her. Mac had preached to her about him paying for things. Yet here he was trying to compromise with her, so she didn’t feel weird about it.

“I want you to trust me. To know that I’m always here for you two. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable or like I’m treating you with pity. I’m not. You’re a fierce single mama who is independent and beautiful. You have an amazing personality, love your daughter with your whole life and want what's best forher. You’re an amazing mother and it shows with everything you do,” Mac said.

Janie put her spoon down in the bowl. Tears had filled her eyes as he started to talk. She had thought he saw her as someone who wasn’t strong and was treating her with pity to help her out. Sure, she struggled some but she was doing good for both of them. She made a full time living and had her daughter with her. She loved Eleanor with her whole life and would do anything for her.

“I don’t want to take that away. When we do get together, I want you to depend on me but also still be independent. You can still be that way and work but I can also take care of you when you’re in Littlespace. Give you a safe place to be taken care of and loved. Show you that you can be independent but also depend on someone at the same time,” Mac said. “I want you to thrive even more than you already are. I want to cheer you on when you hit milestones and pick you up, cuddle you, when something doesn’t go right.”

Her shaky hand reached up and wiped at her eyes. Her ex-husband never wanted that for her. It was all about him and how he could get better about things. He wasn’t a terrible person, but he wasn’t the person for her. Donald never was.

“I know you are still working through things and trying to figure out if us together is a good idea. Me being your husband, lover, and Daddy. I’m here to stay and wait for you. No matter how long it takes, I’ll be waiting for you, showing you that you and Eleanor mean the world to me.”

She pushed her face into her hands and she started to cry. This was not how she imagined the evening to go. Him saying sweet things to her and her almost bawling her eyes out.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Mac gently said.

Janie heard his chair move across the floor and his footsteps coming closer to him. Before she knew it, his arm was aroundher, pulling her face into his stomach as she continued to sit on the chair. Sobs broke out as she pushed her head into his stomach.

“You’re okay,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

She didn’t know how long she cried for, but when she pulled back she saw a wet patch on his shirt.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice hoarse from all the crying.

“It’s just water. No worries. You can cry and make my shirt wet any time you want,” he said. “And I’m not just saying that to make you feel better. I’m honored if I’m being completely honest.”

“Honored for what?”

“That you were able to let go a little and have a cry. Not everyone can do that and I’m honored. I’m also proud of you. It’s okay to lean on other people and not be strong all the time.”

Janie didn’t know how she felt about that. Sure, it made sense what he was saying, but that didn’t make it better. It was weird hearing him say that he was honored she cried in front of him.

Mac was a strange man sometimes. Sweet and caring, but strange.

“Are you all done?” He asked.

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