Page 13 of Blade

He set her back on her feet and frowned. “Where are your socks, Little girl? It’s too chilly in the house for you to have them off.”

“Mr. Blade taked them,” she lied.

“I did not!” I said, pretending to be shocked. I really wanted to laugh at the cute little shit.

“He did. I saw him. Took them right off her feet,” Rogue agreed. Eloise and Rogue had followed Tinsley from the playroom.

“Is that right?” Elliot asked, looking at the trio.

“He took me from a parking lot today. I think he’s kinda kleptomaniac. Women, socks, what’s next? Your good silverware, probably,” Eloise added.

At that moment I decided all three of them were all little shits. Adorable little shits, but little shits nonetheless.

Chapter Four

Eloise

“Thank you for washing my clothes,” I said to Tyler. I’d taken a hot shower and been able to shave and wash and condition my hair without being rushed. It had been heavenly.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’m glad those jammies fit you so well, Tinsley said they were scratchy.”

I ran my hand lovingly over the cream pajamas with multicolored bows printed on them. They didn’t seem scratchy at all. They were probably the softest thing I’d owned in a long time.

“I’m going to head back home, but Blade, Tyler, Tinsley, and Elliot have my number, so you call me if you need anything, okay?” Rogue said, standing from where she’d been sitting on the floor sorting the clothes Tinsley had given me. They were all so precious. I knew I couldn’t keep them forever, but I’d enjoy them while I was at Elliot’s house.

“Thank you for everything,” I said, having no intention of calling her. She’d done enough for me.

Surprisingly, she hugged me. “That’s what friends do. I’ll see you soon.” I waved as she left the room. She was so nice. I hoped life was good to her from now on. She seemed to have been through enough already.

“How’s your pain?” Tyler asked, reading from his phone. Elliot must have asked.

“It’s manageable,” I answered. My leg throbbed with each movement and I was achy all over, but I did feel a bit better since my temp had broken.

“I bringed you some juice!” Tinsley announced as she ran into the room.

“Little girl, Papa really wants you to use your walking feet,” Tyler warned. “You fell earlier because you were running.”

“Yes, Papa,” she said, slowing her pace.

“Good girl,” Tyler praised.

She pranced over to me and held out the pink sippy cup.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcomes. Daddy’s said he’s ready for you in the Boo-Boo Room.”

Smiling, I said, “The Boo-Boo Room? That’s cute.”

“I fink so too. ‘Mon, I’ll show you.”

I let her drag me from the guest suite, down the stairs, and into the basement of the house. Tyler trailed behind us.

“Oh wow.” The hospital room was precious. It was painted a pale green and done up in a succulent theme. There were numerous little plants placed strategically around the room and adorable little prints hanging from the wall that said silly things likeWe’re stuck togetherandStick with kindness.The sheets and blankets on the bed were a darker green and there were a few cactus-shaped pillows on the bed and sleeper sofa. There was a door that led to the outside. Through a window, I couldsee a small parking lot was available for guests who needed to visit the sick Little one while they were staying with Dr. Elliot. Another door was labeledrestroomwith a cactus standing beside a potty. I knew that the shower wasn’t working correctly in that restroom, though, because Rogue had told me when she showed me where the shower was upstairs.

“Do you like it?” Tinsley asked, looking hopeful.

“I do, it’s adorable.”

---