Chapter Thirty-Six
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YESTERDAY WAS BETTERthan expected with Annistyn’s photoshoot.I could feel her body trembling the entire time I was taking pictures with her, but she didn’t run away or hide from the camera.She tried to forget it was there and simply followed Roger’s instructions.A few times when she was alone, I could see she wanted to disappear, but she forced herself to keep going and the pictures came out amazing.You really can’t tell how nervous she is.There’s only a few pictures Roger showed us before leaving when you can see the nervousness in her eyes, but it’s mixed with excitement.He captured every look that passed through her eyes and I can’t wait to see the final product after they’re edited.Cali was great and made my girl look amazing.She never overuses make-up because she knows Annistyn doesn’t really like it and what she did use made Annistyn’s violet eyes pop in ways I’ve never seen before.Both of them truly captured the pure essence of my Pixie and I can’t wait for her to see what I do.
Hearing Annistyn say she was ready to move her things into the master bedroom once we were done for the day made everything so much better.She took two massive steps forward in one day and that’s a lot for her.We’ve all learned she has to do things in her own time and not push her when we see her hesitating or not doing what we feel she should be doing.None of this is about us and it’s all about her and what she feels comfortable doing each day.The only thing any of us push her on is when we see her eating less food than normal.One nudge and she makes the decision to eat more food.We don’t call her out for what she’s doing or bring any attention to the situation other than a slight nudge of her plate.When she led me upstairs to the room she kept her stuff in and said she was ready to move it to the master bedroom, I jumped at the chance to make it happen.We worked quickly and efficiently to get everything put away before falling into bed.
This morning, I got a call from Caleb.He was laughing when I answered the phone and I could hear Kylan and Dakota as if they were the ones making the call instead of their dad.
“What’s goin’ on?”I ask him, not sure what I’m listening to.
“The kids have decided they want to go out to dinner tonight.Unca and Auntie are demanded to go with us,” he informs me as I hear the kids cheering in the background and join in his laughter as I put the phone on speaker so Annistyn can hear what’s going on.
“I don’t know if we’re free for dinner tonight,” I say, waiting for the kids’ reactions and I’m not disappointed.
“Unca!Bad,” I hear Dakota’s sweet voice say as I look down at Annistyn where she rests on my chest and her silent laughter makes her entire body shake.
“Only Auntie,” Kylan says and I immediately sit up, bringing my girl with me.
“Not how that works, Kylan.If Auntie comes, then so do I,” I inform him with a scowl he can’t see on my face.
The kids burst out in laughter because they’re babies in my eyes still and just played me.They don’t know what the hell they're doing but they pulled one over on me with a few words.I feel sorry for anyone choosing to cross them when they’re older if they’re already this deviant.
“Fuckin’ perfect,” Caleb says between fits of laughter as I roll my eyes and Annistyn starts laughing out loud.“My kids played you and you gave in without really givin’ in.Fuckin’ sucker!”
“You’re one to talk, Caleb.I seem to recall someone joinin’ us for breakfast multiple times because his daughter manages to get out of the house and come to our house.Or how about you takin’ Kylan for a ride on your bike when he was told no?I believe you got to sleep on the couch for a few nights over that one.If I’m a sucker, what does that make you?”I question my best friend as his laughter stops abruptly and I hear Cali start to laugh with the kids.
“Asshole,” Caleb mutters.“We’re all leavin’ the compound at five and headin’ for the diner.Dakota wants to ride with you so no bike tonight.”
“Got it.Her seat is already in the truck,” I say before hanging up the phone.“I guess we’re goin’ out for dinner tonight.”
“Sounds perfect.It’s good to get out of the house every now and then for a meal.Did I tell you I found a new sub shop when I was out a few days ago?”Annistyn asks me and I wonder which one she’s talking about.
“You didn’t.Where is it?”I question her, thinking of the sub shops in town I’ve been to so far.
“It’s brand-new.Only been open for like two weeks.If you go just past the park where all of the empty store fronts are, it’s one of the new ones in that little plaza.I had a hot ham and cheese sub with mayonnaise.It was amazing.They toasted the bread, ham, and cheese together before adding the mayo.Everything was melted to perfection and I can’t wait to have another one,” she says, lighting up like a kid at Christmas.
“We’ll have to go check it out together.Maybe we can go tomorrow for lunch,” I say as we finally climb out of bed and I drag my girl into the bathroom so we can shower before starting our day.Showering together is something new we do and I love helping her wash her long hair and body before feeling her hands on my body.We were way too tired by the time we went to bed a few hours ago.
***
Annistyn and I lazedaround the house not doing much of anything other than taking Oreo out a few times and playing with her after she was done going to the bathroom.We did a little light cleaning as we were making lunch and then collapsed on the couch while we waited for Dakota to make her way over to the house.If she wants to ride to dinner with us, she’ll show up early and alone as normal.My Sweet Girl doesn’t know time yet and she’ll show up when she wants.
I’m truly shocked when the light tap sounds on the door about five minutes before we have to leave the house.Caleb and Cali must have kept her home somehow.Or maybe Bryce did since he’s her favorite person at the moment.Annistyn gets off the couch with a large smile on her face and walks to the door.Using my phone, I unarm the security system before she unlocks the door and opens it to find Dakota standing on the porch by herself.It’s a good thing the compound is completely surrounded by a huge fence or I’d be worried about her wandering off.The only place she comes is to our house, but that could change in the blink of an eye.
“Sweetheart, you aresobeautiful,” Annistyn greets her as I sit up straighter on the couch so I can see Dakota.
“Fank you,” Dakota says as she walks in the house and makes her way over to me.
She’s wearing a little dress with blue flowers all over it.Her hair is in pigtails today.Yesterday, Cali and Annistyn painted her nails a dark purple and she flashes them to show me they’re still okay.She was so proud of them being painted for the first time.
“Sweet Girl, you ready to go to dinner?”I ask, getting off the couch and grabbing my phone from the table to slide in my pocket.
“Ready,” she says, flashing a smile full of dimples as she grabs Annistyn’s hand with her small one.
I lead the girls from the house after setting the alarm and making sure the door is locked with the keypad.After getting Dakota fastened into her seat in the back, I help Annistyn in the front passenger seat.Tonight she’s wearing a dark blue dress that dips low between her tits.A white sweater covers her upper body because the back also dips extremely low.Over the top of her sweater is the rag I gave her yesterday.I love seeing it on her body and knowing my name is displayed on her back.I have to admit, I love the dress on her because it shows off her body and only I get to see her exposed skin.No one else will ever see it until she can overcome the damage those scars inflict on her daily.
I’ve caught Annistyn looking in the mirror at her body a few times.Every single time she has tears in her eyes she doesn’t let fall while running a finger over some of the raised marks.She doesn’t see the beauty and strength in those marks that I do.They’re part of her story and truly showcase everything she has overcome since escaping.Annistyn didn’t let them break her completely and is slowly rebuilding herself into someone who is strong, capable, and one of the best women I’ve ever met in my life.I thank everyone I can daily because I get to call her mine.
