Page 13 of Her Gentle Daddy

It seemed like an hour when in reality, it was only a few agonizing minutes before her breathing slowed and her crying turned to quiet whimpers, and then the whimpers turned to the occasional sniffle. He watched her as her body relaxed little by little until she was softly snoring. Sean knew panic attacks were exhausting and could completely wipe a person out for hours or even days afterward. There were times his mom wouldn’t leave her bed for two days after a severe attack.

Wanting to pick her up and carry her up to her bed but not wanting to go against his word that he wouldn’t touch her, Sean continued to sit next to her while she slept. She leaned towards him and rested her head against his arm at one point. He tilted his head back against the cabinet and closed his eyes, trying to think of ways to help her. Even though they barely knew each other, he cared about her, and he felt very protective over the scared young woman.

He wanted to care for her and make her feel safe and wanted. He didn’t know if their age gap would bother her or even if she found him attractive, but he felt a pull toward her that told him that she was meant to be his little girl. Whether she wanted that or not, he had no idea. Hell, she barely even trusted him, so there was probably no way she had even thought about him being her Daddy.

Over two hours later, Sean felt Gabby stir next to him. He didn’t want to startle her, so he stayed quiet and let her naturally wake up. When she sat up, he looked over at her, hoping she wouldn’t be frightened, and when he saw her big brown eyes, he knew she was more ashamed than scared.

“Hey, baby girl, you’re okay.”

She lowered her eyes from his and fidgeted with her hands.

“Have you been sitting here the whole time?” she asked quietly.

“Yes. I didn’t want to leave you.”

Even though she didn’t look up at him, he saw her expression change, and she looked like she was going to cry. He resisted the urge to reach out for her even though everything in him wanted to pull her into his lap and rock her.

“I ruined one of your towels by accident. I was trying to clean, and I didn’t know the countertop cleaner had bleach in it,” she whispered.

Sean looked back over at her with confusion before the meaning of her words hit him.

“Was your panic attack brought on by that, Gabby? Because you thought I was going to be upset?”

She nodded and slumped her shoulders.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin it.”

This time, he couldn’t resist reaching out for her hand. He moved slowly, making sure she knew he was reaching for her and when his hand wrapped around hers, he gave it a slight squeeze.

“Baby girl, you don’t need to be sorry. Accidents happen, and material things can be replaced. I’m sorry you felt so scared about that. I will never get mad at you for an accident like that. And even if I were ever to get mad at you, I would never scream or hurt you in any way.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks, “Do you think I’m a freak?”

Sean turned his body so he was facing her.

“Look at me, sweet girl.”

She hesitated just briefly before looking up to meet his eyes.

“I don’t think you’re a freak. Not even close. I don’t know you very well or what your past was like, but it seems like you’ve been through a lot in your life and are doing what you can to cope and get through. I see a strong, sweet, smart, beautiful woman when I look at you and the last thing I’d ever think was that you’re a freak.”

Her bottom lip trembled, and more tears fell down her cheeks at his words. Gabby used the back of her hands to brush them away.

“I know you have a lot of fears, Gabby, but I hope one day you will realize that you can trust me and that I would never hurt you.”

Gabby sniffled, “I feel safer with you than I’ve felt with anyone else. But I’m just so fucked up that even though I feel safe with you, I’m still scared of you. My… my past is… it’s like a horror movie, and I don’t know if I will ever be normal or be able to trust anyone completely.”

Sean wasn’t sure what to say to that. It was the most she’d ever told him about her or her life, and he felt thankful that she shared it, but he also felt angry that she was so afraid and hurt. He wanted to know her whole story, but he knew he would have to take it in whatever bits and pieces she offered up because pressing her for information might upset her.

“Baby, I don’t expect you to trust me overnight. I will earn your trust. I want to help you with whatever you are going through and see if we can figure out things to help you heal. But only if that’s what you want. And, Gabby, baby, there is no such thing as normal. I had a full-on nursery designed upstairs, so I’m pretty sure I’m not normal either.”

She smiled at that but didn’t look up at him, “I love your nursery. It’s the prettiest room I’ve ever seen.”

“It’s your nursery now, baby girl. As long as you want it, it’s yours.”

Gabby peered up at him under her long dark lashes, and he saw the hope in her eyes.

“I mean it, Gabby. I’m enjoying you being here, and as long as you’re comfortable and happy here, the room is yours.”

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