Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“Then Santa should put you on his good list. Let’s see…”
Rocky began reading the light-hearted holiday story. It was fun to share with colorful illustrations and a lilting pattern of words. With each page he shared, Melissa relaxed back on the pillows and snuggled a bit more into the soft bedding. Her eyes drooped and the stuffie hidden under the covers crept up to peek at him as she drew the plush animal fully into her arms.
He didn’t pause, but continued to read until he reached the last period. Rocky sat for a couple of minutes, watching her breathe. He’d never seen a more enchanting picture in his life. Thank you, PLAYTIME.
Finally, forcing himself to stand and quietly shift the chair away from the bedside, Rocky tiptoed out of the room. He didn’t touch the lamps, instead left them glowing to interrupt the darkness. Leaving the door open, he crossed the hall and got ready for bed.
After his shower, it was still too early for him to call it a night. He pulled on a pair of sleep pants he wore on the rare occasion he had family or guests spending the night. Stretching out on the comforter, Rocky propped himself against his pillows and did some shopping. Thanks to a high school job at a clothing retailer, he could judge sizes well. He ordered a few things for Melissa, including a fuzzy robe, slippers, and some basics like underwear and sports bras that would fit a range of sizes. A bathing suit completed his purchases. She hadn’t noticed the pool—much less that a glass enclosure protected it in the winter.
A slight sound caught his attention. Rocky looked toward the hallway and heard it again. He swung his legs out of bed and headed for the door, bursting into a run as “Help! Someone help!” sounded from the guest room.
“Melissa, what’s wrong?” Rocky asked, flipping on the ceiling light.
“Help me!”
He threw himself to his knees by the side of the bed and hesitated. Still trapped in the dream, his Little girl hadn’t woken up yet. He didn’t want to scare her.
“Melissa, you need to wake up. You’re safe. You’re in my house with me. I won’t let anything hurt you,” he promised.
Her eyes flew open, and her gaze fused with his. He watched the panic ebb away.
“You’re okay, Little girl. I’ve got you,” he promised.
She bolted forward to wrap her arms around his neck and press herself against his chest. Automatically, Rocky hugged her tightly. He rocked slightly from side to side to comfort her. “I’ve got you, Melissa. You’re okay, sweetheart.”
“I dreamt I was back in my apartment and a rat made it onto my bed. He was nibbling at my toes. Rwahr Rwahr couldn’t catch him,” she whispered.
“Come here, baby. Let me make sure you’re okay.”
Rocky stood and scooped her off the mattress. He took a seat on the bed, holding her in his lap. Stroking a hand down her leg, he touched each toe on both feet. When he finished her pinky toe, he felt her relax against him.
“There wasn’t a rat?” she asked.
“Rats are not allowed in my house, Little girl. I’ll call the exterminator tomorrow to come double-check and set traps for any rodents. Will that help you feel safer?”
“Yes, Daddy.” She nodded eagerly.
“Then that’s what we’ll do. Do you think you can go back to sleep with Rwahr Rwahr?” He picked up the lion, who was peeking out from under the covers, and tucked him back into her arms.
“It’s silly to sleep with a stuffie,” she mumbled.
“Not when it’s Rwahr Rwahr. He’s the perfect guard lion,” Rocky assured her.
Her nod and quick smile went to his heart. Rocky leaned forward to press his lips against hers softly. She tilted her head up to request more. He allowed himself to deepen the kiss slightly before leaning back.
“Can we sleep with you? I won’t bother you,” she promised earnestly. “You could box all the rats away.”
“Of course you can sleep in Daddy’s bed.”
“Daddy?” she repeated.
“When you’re ready to call me Daddy, I’m ready, Little girl. I don’t have any doubts that Santa sent you to me as a holiday gift.”
“That’s silly. PLAYTIME sent me to you.”
“Maybe Santa loaned the creator some holiday magic,” Rocky suggested.
“Ooo, maybe. That’s a fun thought.”
“Come on, sweetheart. It’s time you went back to sleep.”
He stopped at the bathroom first and sent her in to potty. Rocky didn’t accompany her inside… yet. Then he guided her into the main bedroom and into bed. After turning on the lamp next to her side of the bed, he tucked the covers around her neck before kissing her goodnight.
By the time he rounded the footboard, she’d already snuggled into the pillows and closed her eyes. Melissa was asleep in minutes. Who knew how long it had been since she’d had a good night’s sleep? Rocky couldn’t imagine being trapped in that awful apartment every night.