Page 43 of Small Town Daddy

"Glad you're part of the crew now," Brett announced, clapping Marcus on the back. "And you too, Lucy."

"Thanks," I murmured, feeling the weight of those simple words. They meant more than Brett could know.

"Alright, enough chit-chat," Brett declared, turning back to his grill. "You two go enjoy the rest of the night."

"Will do," Marcus promised, nudging me gently as we moved away.

Walking beside Marcus, the plush bear still nestled in my arms, I sensed the world shifting.

The carnival lights blinked overhead, painting the night with splashes of color. Marcus and I strolled away from Brett's stall, his laughter still ringing in my ears. The air buzzed with energy, alive with the chatter of families and the distant hum of rides.

"Hey," Marcus said, nudging my shoulder gently. "You up for a ride on the Ferris wheel? The view's supposed to be amazing at night."

"Sure," I replied, feeling a thrill at the thought. "Let's do it."

We made our way through the crowd, weaving past children clutching cotton candy and couples sharing quiet moments. My heart raced with every step, anticipation thrumming beneath my skin.

As we reached the Ferris wheel, the carriage door swung open invitingly. We settled inside, the seat swaying slightly as the ride attendant locked us in. The metal bar felt cool under my hand, grounding me as the wheel began its ascent.

"Look at that," Marcus murmured as the fairground spread out below us. Lights twinkled like stars, a sea of colors stretchinginto the horizon. It was breathtaking, a scene pulled straight from a dream.

"Wow," I breathed, unable to tear my gaze away. The town lay beneath us, each building and street illuminated in soft hues. It felt like we were suspended above a world all our own.

At the peak, the Ferris wheel paused. The air held a hushed expectancy, as if waiting for something magical to unfold. And then—fireworks erupted in the sky.

Colors exploded, painting our faces in brilliant reds and blues. I gasped, caught off guard by the beauty of it all. My eyes darted to Marcus, who watched me with a soft expression that made my heart flutter.

"I'm glad we decided to come tonight," he said, his voice sincere, cutting through the noise.

"Me too," I whispered, meeting his gaze. In that moment, everything else faded away. The carnival, the noise, the world—it all slipped into the background.

His lips brushed mine, tentative at first, then deepening into a kiss that stole my breath. It was tender, lingering, full of unspoken promises. His warmth enveloped me, chasing away the chill of the night air.

When we finally pulled apart, the fireworks had receded, leaving only the steady glow of the carnival lights below. I leaned against him, content in the silence that wrapped around us.

"That was something," I said softly, savoring the memory.

"Yeah," Marcus agreed, his arm slipping around my shoulders. "It really was. And baby girl, I’m so glad you’re a Little."

For some reason, those words stuck in my mind.

Chapter 12

Lucy

Last night was magic.Exploring the carnival with Daddy, had filled me with such a wholesome, happy feeling. Something about chatting to Brett had felt special, too. Being back here in Small Falls, surrounded by all these kind people, it really had started to feel like I was home.

Sunlight streamed through my curtains as I blinked awake. Memories of last night with Marcus flooded back - his warm hand in mine, the tender kiss on the Ferris wheel. My heart fluttered at the thought.

At the end of the night, we’d kissed and I’d headed back to my place. It had made it feel like a real date—even though we’dkindamet by chance. I’d hated being away from him, but, at the same time, it had made me crave seeing him even more.

I felt this huge bubble of hope inside me. It was a feeling I was pretty familiar with. I normally felt this way at the start of all my relationships. A crazy storm of hormones and happiness.

In the past though, that bubble of hope never lasted.

It would be different this time, right? Marcus was different. I was different.

Or was I?

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