Page 35 of Stay, Baby

"For me?" I whisper, reaching forward hesitantly. My fingers sink into the soft fur, making the Little girl inside of me peek out from the fort she's been hiding in since I left Daddy.

When I tug the bear down, I see Zeek blushing so red I'm surprised he's not sweating too. "For you," he whispers.

Then to my astonishment he clears his throat and sits up a bit straighter. Watching him shed his Little and become a man with a slight dominant edge in the set of his jaw is amazing.How'd he do that?

"I wanted to see you smile."

I'm smiling?

The grin that tugs his mouth up makesmeblush this time. "Come to the fire tonight? I'd love to hang out. We can play or we can just sit. Big or Little, Tina, I want to see you again. Please?"

For the first time since Daddy told me to run, I find that I don't want to lock myself in Uncle Bash’s guest room for forever. "Okay," I whisper and drop my chin onto the bears head and look out at all the Littles playing in the park.

"Okay," Zeek whispers and leans back on his hands.

Looks like he's staying. I find I don't mind it but now I desperately want a hug.

Daddy, where are you?