Page 179 of Double Daddies
Chapter Thirteen
Nora
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, looking down at my hands. “I’m really trying. I have been. It’s not you, it’s definitely me.”
Scarlett has tried to get me to leave the living room, but I can’t. I know it’s been hours since Papa and Daddy left, but I keep looking at the door, waiting for them to walk through it.
Tears pool in my eyes as I start to feel worse. “I didn’t mean to ruin the day,” I wail.
“Shhh, Nora,” Scarlett gently says. “You’re okay.”
I shake my head. “I’ve just been so worried about them and what could happen to them. What job are they going on? Are they safe? Who do they work for, and why did they look nervous? And all those things have ruined today with you.”
“It’s really okay. I would be the same way if Daddy told me that. I know we haven’t known each other long, but you’re okay. We’ll have another day when we can play together. This isn’t the only time,” Scarlett explains. “Pinky-promise. They’re sacred.”
She grabs hold of my pinky with hers, locking the promise in place.
“I just can’t stop worrying.” I wipe away the tears. “I am constantly worrying, waiting for them to come back through the doors, but they haven’t yet. What if something has happened?”
“They would have texted Daddy. They would have texted the group chat to get reinforcements,” Scarlett says.
“But they are who knows how far away from me! I can’t have anything happen to Papa and Daddy. I love them,” I confess. “I love them so much. If anything happened to them, I don’t know what I would do with myself.”
“We love you, too.” Papa’s voice fills the room.
“And now I’m hearing Papa’s voice. I’m going crazy,” I whisper, my eyes wide as I stare at her. “I think I need to get checked out. See if I’m really okay or if I’m dying.”
“Uhh, Nora.” She points behind me.
I turn around and make eye contact with Papa. My mouth hangs open as I stare at them before tears run down my face.
“Aww, little bit,” Daddy gently says, walking up to me.
He picks me up with ease, and I snuggle into his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him tight. Papa comes up behind me, rubbing my back.
“Shhh, you’re okay,” Papa whispers. “We’re right here, and we’re not going anywhere. We’ve got you.”
I push my face into Daddy’s neck, crying as I let everything out. He holds me for what seems like forever, Papa rubbing my back to calm me down.
“We’re going to go home,” Daddy says to Thorin and Scarlett. “We’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Nora!” Scarlett yells.
I don’t have the energy to say anything right now, so I don’t. Scarlett has to understand. She saw me freaking out the whole time they were gone.
“We’re back, and we aren’t going anywhere.” Papa holds my hand.
I stay in Daddy’s arms as they walk back to the cabin. I’m calmer by the time we get to the cabin, Daddy sits me on the couch before squatting in front of me and holding my hand.
“I’m sorry we had to leave so suddenly and leave you with Thorin and Scarlett.” Daddy squeezes my hand.
“We didn’t want to, but it was the only opportunity we had,” Papa explains.
“For what?” I whisper. “What was so important?”
“Showing Mateo that he can’t mess with you anymore.” Papa sits beside me.
I blink several times. “What did you do?”
