She sang along quietly to the music, trying not to think about everything that had happened. She didn’t want to dwell on the bad stuff. Macca didn’t take long until he returned, carrying a package in his arms. He placed it on Penny’s desk.
“Okay, baby girl. How are your feet feeling?” he asked her.
“Bit sore,” she confessed.
“What about anywhere else? Any other aches and pains?”
“I’m okay.”
“Are you certain? I’ve noticed you rubbing your temples.”
Whoops. She hadn’t realized she was doing that. “I guess I do have a bit of a headache.”
He gave her a stern look. “How am I supposed to look after you if you don’t tell me when something is wrong, little one?”
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“Just so you know, Daddy hasn’t forgotten about the punishment you’re owed for disobeying him earlier. All of this is going into your naughty girl book.”
Well. Hell.
She pouted slightly at those words. “You don’ts got to punish me, Daddy. I’s good girl.”
“Of course you are,” he said calmly, surprising her as he opened the package. “Sometimes good girls do naughty things. It doesn’t make them bad.”
Oh.
He pulled out a pale blue blanket with yellow ducklings on it. He strode over to where she sat and replaced the afghan lying over her with the new blankie.
“This is so cute, Daddy. Love the duckies.”
“I thought you might.”
“I’m going to go and grab some painkillers for that headache and your feet. I’ll get your water bottle and something for you to snack on as well.”
When she’d drunk and eaten enough to satisfy him, he had her lie down. He propped her foot up on some pillows. She closed her eyes, hoping the painkillers would kick in quickly.
“Are you warm enough or do you want me to wrap you up in your blankie?”
“My blankie?” She opened her eyes and fingered the soft, fluffy blanket. “This is for me?”
“Uh-huh, it’s your own special blankie. It has special powers.”
“It does?”
“Yes. When it’s wrapped around you, it keeps all the bad stuff away. It keeps you safe. Like Daddy’s arms do.”
Warmth filled her. “Oh. Can you wrap it around me?”
“Of course.”
He didn’t just lay it on top of her like before, but tucked it in tightly.
“There we go. Snug as a bug.”
“It’s like a cocoon,” she marveled.
“Feel good? If you get too hot or feel too stifled, let me know.”