Page 59 of Her Gentle Daddy

Gabby grinned at Maddie, who stuck her tongue out at the man who Gabby assumed was Ian. He winked at Maddie and turned toward Gabby.

“I’m Ian, by the way. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you from your Daddy.”

A blush spread across her cheeks as she shook his hand.

“I need to get the dog out of the car,” Sean said.

“You have a dog? Daddy, they have a dog! Can we get a dog?”

Gabby giggled, “He’s a support dog for my anxiety.”

Maddie bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, clapping her hands together as Sean pulled Olly from the car.

“Daddy, see, they do have dogs that help with anxiety, I told you.”

Ian sighed, but Gabby saw the corners of his mouth twitching as though trying to fight a smile.

“I have anxiety, too. Daddy takes me to therapy for it.”

All of Gabby’s nerves had disappeared, and she felt surprisingly comfortable around Maddie and even Ian already. As soon as Olly trotted over to them, Maddie was on the ground petting him and talking to him.

“Little girl, get up off the ground. Come on, let’s go inside, and then you can see the puppy.”

Ian picked her up from the ground and set her on her feet, giving her bottom a swat to get her moving while Sean held out his hand for Gabby to take.

Once they were in the Littles’ area, the men got Gabby and Maddie settled at a table and gave them cups of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies.

“I hope you’re not upset that I found you,” Gabby said after the men backed away.

Maddie nibbled on a piece of cookie and thought about it before answering.

“No, I’m not upset. I was a little upset at first, not about having a sister but because I was sad that I didn’t get to know you when we were kids. Ian told me that I shouldn’t be sad about something that was out of my control and what I could control now is having a relationship with you going forward. My brother died recently, and my mom died when I was young, so I thought all my blood relatives were gone, but now I have you, so I’m happy. I hope we can have a relationship.”

“I would really like that. I’m sorry about your brother.”

Maddie smiled sadly, “Me too, but losing him brought Ian and me together, so, for that, I feel happy. He would have loved to have met you. I’m so glad you’re here.”

For the first time in her life, Gabby felt as though she was actually complete. She had someone who loved her, someone who Daddied her and gave her everything she needed, and she had family. Plus a wonderful dog. What else could a girl want?

23

SEAN

“Is Gabby doing okay?”

Sean kept his eyes on the girls as they chatted and ate cookies.

“Yeah, I think so. I think they are going to be just fine.”

Ian nodded, keeping his gaze on the girls as well.

“Maddie didn’t sleep a wink last night. She was so nervous and excited. The more all of this soaked in, the more excited she got about having a sister.”

“Yeah, Gabby didn’t sleep last night either. I ended up rocking her to sleep in her nursery. I’m sure they will both sleep well at naptime. Thank you for your help with all of this, by the way.”

They both drank their coffee and watched as the girls moved from the table to the toys and began playing with dolls while Olly happily plopped down to sleep next to them. The men let them play for several hours, occasionally making them take a break to go potty or get a drink of water. Sean was completely in awe of the fact that both girls seemed to be deeply immersed in Little space.

“Daddy, can we have a sleepover?” Maddie asked from where she sat.

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