Page 67 of Saving Little Lina: Part One

"Hank!" Lina interrupted, a touch of worry creeping into her voice. "Shouldn't we be focusing on the fun stuff instead of talking about ending things before they've even started?"

"Yes," I began, reaching over to take her hand in mine. "I understand why you'd feel that way. But this clause isn't here to bring negativity. It's here to give us both a sense of control, security. It's our safety net."

She frowned slightly, biting her lip as she considered my words. "I suppose that makes sense. But it still feels like we're expecting it to rain on our parade."

I chuckled softly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Think of it more as carrying an umbrella, sweetheart. We hope it doesn't rain, but if it does, we're prepared. Can we agree on that?"

She sighed. "Alright. I'll try to think of it that way. But remember, we're also going to discuss that chocolate palace, okay?"

Laughing heartily at her tenacity, I nodded. "Absolutely. We'll discuss everything, every step of the way."

The last point of the contract seemed to catch in my throat as I read it aloud.

"The Little may request an unlimited supply of hugs and comfort, and the Daddy has to comply at all times," I recited, my voice thick with emotion.

Across from me, Lina's eyes welled up with tears, the shimmering orbs reflecting the moon.

"Hank," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion, "You're so considerate and thoughtful. I can tell that you put a lot of thought and effort into this contract."

The lump in my throat grew harder as I watched a solitary tear slip down her cheek.

"Silly girl," I murmured, reaching out to wipe it away. In one fluid motion, I scooted closer and pulled her into a hug, my heart throbbing in my chest.

We stayed like that for a moment, simply holding onto each other in the warm embrace, before I broke the hug.

“Here, take a final look at it, princess," I suggested, handing her the contract, "Go through it one last time on your own."

Lina scanned the document with a toothy grin, her eyes flickering across the pages with fervor. She then picked up the pen and, with a grand flourish, signed her name at the bottom. As she handed the pen back to me, her eyes sparkled with unbridled excitement. Matching her enthusiasm, I signed my name right beside hers, officially sealing our agreement. As we exited the park hand in hand, the world around us seemed a little brighter, a little more vivid, even in the darkness.

Minutes later as we stood in front of Lina's apartment, she turned to me with a shy smile. "Thanks, Hank," she said, her voice soft, "For everything. Tonight was the best night of my life."

I felt my heart swell as I looked at her. She was trusting me to guide her in this journey, and I was trusting her to follow me. As I leaned in, planting a soft kiss on her lips, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace wash over me. I bid her goodnight, my heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

As I drove home, I realized that this date, this contract, and the ensuing journey was a testament to my capacity to love and protect. By accepting my role as a potential Daddy for Lina, I was taking the first steps towards healing. Lying in bed that night, I realized I had opened my heart to the possibility of love again. As I drifted off to sleep, I knew it would be a journey fraught with emotional hurdles, but ultimately, it would lead me to healing and the understanding that it's okay to move on and love again. It was the end of one phase of my life, but it was also the beautiful beginning of another.

Chapter 22: Lina

A rapping sound echoed through the quiet apartment, causing me to flinch. My skin felt too hot, too sensitive, making even the soft rustling of my blanket unbearable. I was used to hosting guests. Today? I wanted nothing more than to burrow under my covers and block out the world. But this wasn't just any day. It was supposed to be our playdate - our first since we had signed the contract. I had been looking forward to it for days, imagining all the fun and magical adventures we would embark on. And now... I felt like my own body had betrayed me.

Dragging myself out of bed, I weakly shuffled to the door, my heart sinking at the thought of cancelling our plans. As I opened the door, I plastered a bright smile on my face, hoping that Hank wouldn't notice how sick I felt.

"Hank!" I greeted, feigning enthusiasm.

His face lit up as he saw me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hey, princess," he said, his voice warm and comforting. But then his brow furrowed as he took in my pale face and the lethargy in my movements. "Lina, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I reassured him quickly, dismissing his concerns. "Just a little tired is all."

But Hank wasn't easily fooled. He frowned, his hand reaching out to feel my forehead. I tried to dodge it, but I was too slow, too drained. He sucked in a breath as his hand met my burning skin. "Lina," he said, his voice stern, "You're burning up."

"I'm okay," I protested weakly, but my assurances fell on deaf ears. He immediately insisted on rescheduling our playdate.

"No, no, no," I protested, my voice growing weaker by the second. I was torn between the overwhelming urge to crawl back into bed and the excitement I had been nurturing for our playdate. "I don't want to postpone. I've been looking forward to this for days. It's just not fair."

"I was looking forward to it too, princess," he said gently. "But I'm not about to let you push yourself when you're not feeling well. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you."

My heart clenched at his words, at the sincerity and care in his voice. But the rebellious part of me, the part that was excited for our playdate, refused to back down.

"But I don't want to disappoint you."

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