“You were. But before that you were naughty.”
She stuck her lower lip out. “Please, Daddy.”
“Even if I wanted to give you some chocolate, sweet pea, I don’t have any.”
A sly look crossed her face and her lips twitched with a smile. “Penny does. It’s in the cupboard above the fridge.
“Oh, is that so? Well, I suppose one piece won’t hurt.”
“One?”
“I can make it none if you’d rather.”
She shook her head. “One is good, Daddy. Thank you, Daddy.”
“Okay, little one. Would you like to rest in bed or on the couch in the study?”
“The study?” she asked.
“I’m going to tidy up the mess he’s left. Maybe get some idea of what he was doing in there.”
“I want to go into the study with you, Daddy.”
He understood. He didn’t really want her to be apart from him either. He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, setting her down on the covers. He got one of his t-shirts and slipped it on over her head.
“Daddy?”
“There’s no need for you to get dressed since you’re just going to be inside and resting,” he told her. “And I like you in my t-shirt.”
“Okay, Daddy,” she murmured quietly then she reached up and slipped her arms around his neck. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
He carried her out to the kitchen and set her on the counter as he grabbed them a piece of chocolate each. She nibbled at hers delicately.
So cute.
He grabbed a towel and an ice pack from the freezer and then picked her back up in his arms.
She held onto him tight as he carried her into the study. She knew he was worried about her. She hated to think about what a mess she’d been when he’d approached her. She hadn’t been in her right mind. A tremble rocked her. Macca sat her on the sofa. He dragged over a footstool and placed her swollen foot on it then put the ice pack on.
“We’ll keep that iced on and off all afternoon. I want that swelling to go down by bedtime.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
He crouched and cupped her face, running his thumb over the apple of her cheek. “Daddy has left some things in his car. I want you to sit here and wait for me, okay?”
Another shudder rocked her. She didn’t want to be on her own right now.
“I’ll be as quick as I can. I’d take you out with me, but I want to keep you out of the sun.”
She nodded tiredly. She knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to be out in the sun anymore today. “Okay, Daddy. I waits here.”
“I’ll go grab Bunnykins and Kiki to keep you company.”
He returned quickly with her two stuffed toys, handing them to her. She tugged them in tight to her chest. There was no TV in here, but there was a stereo, so he turned on some music. Then he surprised her by tucking a blanket over her legs.
“You’re trembling,” he explained.
“Oh.” She was surprised to realize she was a little cold.