Page 21 of Leland

My ribs and stomach hurt the most. Every breath was uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry, papa bear, I’m being as gentle as I can.”

Squeezing the bunny Elliot had given me tighter, I tried to think about how the rest of the night would go. I could go home, take a bubble bath, get in my soft sleepshirt and go to bed. Maybe I could spend all day watching horror movies tomorrow.

“Can I have tomorrow off?” I asked Leland once Elliot had finished with my face.

When several people chuckled, I looked back at him to meet his eyes.

“Little one, you’re going to have lots of days off.”

“I think I’ll be fine with just one.”

“Darlin’, you’re not going to be able to work for at least the rest of the week. You are still running on a bit of adrenaline, but when it wears off, you are going to be a very sore Little girl,” Elliot explained.

“I’m not a Little g…” I started, but the words fell short on my lips. Iwasa Little girl. I didn’t deserve to be one, but I was. Instinctively I reached up and tried to pull my hair, but Leland was quicker than I was.

“Everything is okay. You’re surrounded by friends and people that accept you. It’s okay to admit your needs,” he whispered in my ear.

I sat quietly for a few minutes as Elliot shined a light in my eyes, for what I swore was the seventeenth time, even though I’d told them I hadn’t hit my head at all.

“I am a Little,” I admitted. “And… Leland is going to be my Daddy for the next several weeks while we work together to try and figure out ways to help me handle all the anger inside of me.”

“Fucking finally,” Kay said, tossing her head back dramatically. “I didn’t know who was in more denial. You or Bash.”

“What’s Bash in denial about?” I asked, laying back on Leland as Elliot examined my ribs again. Grunting in pain, I tried to get more comfortable.

“I’m sorry, darlin,” Elliot said sympathetically when he hit a really tender spot. “I just want to make sure nothing’s broken one more time.”

“What the fuck am I in denial about?” Bash asked from where he was sitting on Leland’s desk. I’m pretty sure his question was meant to be a distraction and it worked.

“Probably the red-headed sweetheart that comes in just to bring Kay muffins,” Elliot teased, stepping back from me and grabbing something from his kit. “I don’t even work here, butI’ve heard all about how huffy you get when she comes into the shop.”

“She’s too trusting, she’s going to get hurt,” Bash mumbled.

I giggled and the room got quiet. I wasn’t really known for laughing… maybe yelling, but it was funny to realize that’s why Bash was so stompy on Thursdays.

“You like Willow?”

“Little one, I will feed you straight to the giraffes if you don’t shush. Straight to the giraffes. I heard they love nosy Little girls.”

Feed me to the giraffes?I giggle-snorted at that imagery. Then I giggled again because I snorted. Things were suddenly looking a lot brighter.

“Ah, the pain medication has kicked in,” Elliot said, patting my leg gently. “Let’s try and get her to your house while she’s comfortable.”

“Alright. Blade, will you pull my truck around?”

“On it, boss.” Blade was probably glad to have a job. He’d been standing with his hands in his pockets, looking nervous.

“It was nice meeting you.” I said to Elliot, well I tried to say it. I think my tongue was sleeping. Was it sleeping? Reaching up, I tried to feel it with my fingers, but Leland rudely pulled my hand away.

Kay laughed.

What’s funny?

Leland kissed the top of my head and held me tighter.

“Is that normal?” he asked Elliot.

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