Page 54 of Saving Little Jenna
I ran down to join them as fast as I could while Jenna and John continued to watch from the balcony.
"That's enough," I said, putting my hands up.
"Sorry," Michael said, kicking him in the tummy one last time as a giggle escaped him. "Got lost in the moment. Daddy taught me a thing or two about combat. Thought I might put it to use."
"Great job, you two!" I said with my hands on my waist as sirens wailed in the distance. "He could've escaped if not for your bravery. But the authorities will take it from here. "
Michael's chest swelled up with pride as he put his hands on his waist too and raised his chin, looking up at the sky like a superhero standing over a villain as he lightly put a foot on Otis’ chest.
Chapter 20: Jenna
As I watched Michael and Kristen call me their friend from the balcony, I couldn't help but smile. There was no way their Daddies would've let them come to such a dangerous situation, so it was touching that they had come against their orders. They put their own safety aside to come to aid my rescue. There was a time when I was desperate for friendship back in the cult, and that Jenna from the past would've been so proud for fulfilling my lifelong desire.
When I pictured being saved from Otis, I always thought it would be Daddy who'd be doing all the ass-whooping, but it was satisfying to watch Michael and Kristen do it.
"Thank you, Uncle John," I said quietly and he just nodded. "Thank you for risking your life to save me."
When Daddy looked up at me with a smile, I gave him a disapproving shake of my head. He frowned and ran up the stairs. When Uncle John saw Daddy running towards us, he left us alone and joined Michael downstairs. Two police officers rushed to them and Michael pointed at Otis, who was then handcuffed.
I ran into daddy's arms and we threw our arms around each other.
"What's the matter, sweetheart?" He broke the hug and kissed me on the forehead.
"You risked your life, Daddy!" I scolded. "I was so scared I'd never see you again. You should've listened when Otis threatened to shoot you. What would I have done without my Daddy? How could I have lived with myself knowing I was the cause of your death. Don't you see why I ran away weeks ago? I'd rather be happily locked up in a dark basement for the rest of my life than watch you die."
"How could I have just listened to him, Little one?" He shrugged and took my face in his hands, caressing my cheek with a thumb. "I promised to keep you safe and I was just fulfilling it. I was so close to breaking it, but I'll never let that happen again. It didn't matter that my life was on the line. I'd gladly sacrifice it to keep you safe."
I put a hand over his mouth. "Let's not talk about you dying anymore. I'm glad we're both out of danger."
"Well, then let's talk about you not saying you love me back when Otis held me at gunpoint."
"I could barely think I was so traumatized seeing a gun pointed at you, Daddy. I realized you were saying it to me because you were going to do something stupid that would get you shot and killed. I was about to pass out from the trauma alone. But yes, I can say it now. I love you too, Daddy."
We both smiled brightly, knowing this was our happily ever after. No more Otis to run away from meant it was just me, Daddy, and our ever-growing love going forward.
When he leaned in, we kissed passionately with our faces in each other's hands. I cuddled into him when it ended, watching Michael and Kristen talk to the officers from the balcony.
"We should probably go down there and tell them everything," he said. "Tell them about the cult too. They should be able to save your siblings. With Otis locked away for good, the cult won't last very long."
Hand in hand, we went downstairs and obliged when we were asked to give a statement down at the police station. I told them everything. I knew no amount of punishment would be enough for the crimes he had committed, but it was enough if he was never allowed back into society. He always encouraged people to bring out their evil side and it was no way to live.
I had also given them the location of the cult and just as I hoped, they were going to help get my siblings out of there.
Back at Michael's place, the Daddies all sat on the couch in the living room while we stood before them. They all had their stern Daddy faces on.
"Let's begin with you, Michael," Uncle John said with crossed arms. "We gave you clear instructions about remaining here to stay out of danger. Yet, you convinced Kristen within seconds to defy our instructions and followed us to the motel. You not only put your own life in danger but also Kristen's. For that alone, you deserve the biggest punishment of your life."
All three of us shivered in unison, feeling bad for how sore Michael's bottom was going to be. Michael pulled out the paddle from the dresser nearby before his Daddy could finish.
"It was worth having a busted bottom, Daddy." Michael slowly began walking towards the nursery, the poor boy's gait so slow he was barely moving. "In fact, I would've done it all over again if it meant saving my best friend."
Snatching the paddle out of Michael's hands, his Daddy put it back in the dresser. "You didn't let me finish, boy. So as I was saying, you deserve the biggest punishment of your life. However, what you did was well-intentioned and it helped bring justice. So good job, both of you. No punishment and I'm very proud of you, but only because you got lucky. This could’ve all gone south easily. Next time there's danger, you stay out of it and follow instructions."
Michael listened with his mouth half-open in surprise, a smile slowly forming on his face as he realized what it meant.
"Yay, I saved my friendandno punishment!" Michael bounced and clapped in excitement, shaking his butt in the air to do a happy little dance where he stood. "Best day ever! This is the longest I've gone without punishment, and boy does it feel great to be able to sit."
Kristen and I giggled in unison, glad everything had turned out so well in the end.
