Page 80 of Daddy Defender
“Daddy,” I say, my voice quiet, tugging his hand to slow him. He stops, turning to me, his dark eyes locking on mine, all Daddyattention. “I’m gonna miss you so much. Two weeks is forever in Little time.” I pout, my Little side peeking out, but I smile, squeezing his hand. “But I’m so proud of you, being a Guard, keeping people safe. Just… come back to me, okay?”
Henry’s face softens, and he pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me, strong and warm.
“Bodie,” Henry says, his voice low, rough with emotion, “I love you more than anything in this world. I’m proud to call you my Little, myForeverboy. I’ll always come back to you, no matter where the Guard takes me. Promise.”
Henry’s lips brush my forehead, and I melt, my Little side glowing, my heart of hearts believing every word.
“I love you too, Daddy,” I whisper, my voice small but fierce, my heart full. “My Forever Daddy. I’m proud you’re mine.”
I stand on tiptoes, kissing his cheek, his stubble tickling, and he chuckles, ruffling my hair.
“Damn right,” Henry says, his Daddy tone playful but firm. “Now let’s get to that picnic before thatsonofagunCole eats all the cookies.”
I giggle, grabbing his hand, and we catch up to Cole and Richie, who’ve spread a blanket on the sand, the baskets open, the sunset painting everything gold.
We settle in, the four of us, a little family of Daddies and Littles, the ocean our backdrop...
Richie’s passing out juice boxes, his Little side in full bloom, while Cole’s carving sandwiches with a knife that looks like it could fell a tree.
Henry’s beside me, his arm around my shoulders, his warmth grounding me as I lean into him, my flip-flops kicked off, toes digging into the sand.
We eat, laughing as Richie tells a story about Fizz’s “surfing adventure” that ended with a crayon explosion, his hands waving, Cole’s deep laugh booming.
I chime in, recounting how Billy tried to “guard” my brownies, only to get chocolate on his sunglasses.
Henry’s smirking, his Daddy pride clear as he watches me, his hand brushing my knee, a silentgood boy.
The sun dips lower, the sky a riot of colors, and I feel it—home, not just the beach house but this, us, together.
As the light fades, Richie and I sprawl on the blanket, our stuffies in a pile, sketching in my pad, waves and stars taking shape.
Henry and Cole talk low, their Guard voices serious, probably mission details, but their eyes keep drifting to us, their Littles, their anchors.
I catch Henry’s gaze, and he winks, his Daddy vibe wrapping around me even from a few feet away. My Little side hums, content, but I know tomorrow he’ll be gone, off to some dangerous place with Cole and Connor.
I can’t lie…
It scares me.
But I trust him, my Daddy, to keep his promise.
“Time to pack up, Littles,” Cole says, standing, his bulk casting a shadow, his Daddy tone gentle but firm.
Richie pouts, but hops up, hugging Fizz, and I follow, tucking my sketchpad away, my Little side reluctant to leave the beach.
Henry helps me fold the blanket, his hands steady, and we load the baskets, the four of us trudging back to the house, the sand cool now, the first stars peeking out.
At the porch, I pause, the sunset’s last glow fading, the ocean a dark shimmer. Henry’s beside me, his hand in mine, and I look up, my Little heart full.
“This is perfect, Daddy,” I say, my voice soft. “You, me, Richie, Cole. Our home. I’m gonna hold onto this while you’re gone.”
My Daddy pulls me close, his lips brushing my hair.
“Hold onto it, Little One,” Henry says, his voice gruff but full of love. “I’ll be back before you know it, and we’ll have more sunsets, more picnics. You’re my everything, Bodie. You make me a better man, a better Guard, and I’ll never, ever stop protecting you for as long as I live.”
And with that, we kiss—Little and Daddy, together forever.
Epilogue — Henry
