Page 54 of Tiffanie

“Thank you, Sara. Okay, Princess. Let’s stop in the office and grab your water. Did you finish the entire thing?” Phineas asked as he stood and helped Tiffanie from her chair.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Essie lift her glass and drain the liquid. He wasn’t the only Daddy who understood how important hydration was for Littles.

“Bye, Essie. Bye, Sara. Bye, Zander. Bye, Ivan” Tiffanie waved at the group as he ushered her through the doorway. Phineas nodded before they disappeared out of sight. Farewells followed them out into the hallway.

“I don’t believe you answered me, Princess. Did you drink your morning water?”

“Almost, Daddy.”

“Good girl. Then you’re halfway done,” he said, fairly sure her almost wouldn’t be actually true.

Tiffanie groaned and rolled her eyes. “I’m floating already.”

“I’m glad to hear that. That’s what being hydrated means.”

“Drowned?” she asked, making a face.

“I’d prefer you swam.” Phineas stepped into the office and grabbed her bottle from the end table next to the settee. He nodded in admiration. She’d finished most of it. “You did a great job. I bet you can polish this off before we get to our place.”

She was quiet as he led her out the front door and helped her into her driver’s seat. “Are you okay to drive home, Tiffanie?” he asked.

“Yes, Daddy. I’m thinking about where my home is.”

“Oh? Is something bothering you? I meant our place together.”

“I don’t really have a home, do I? I live with Ivan and with you.”

Phineas sank down to kneel in the space created by the open car door. “Ivan took care of you when you needed him most. Now that we’re together, would you consider moving in with me?”

“For how long? You’re going to get fed up with having a sick girlfriend.”

“Whoa. There’s a lot to unpack there.” He held up his index finger. “First, you’re not sick, but even if you were, I wouldn’t tire of helping you. That’s what couples do. You and I are a duo now.”

“But….”

He shook his head and interrupted. “Let me talk first, and then you can ask anything you want.” He lifted another finger. “Two. The moment I made you mine, I claimed a lifetime of togetherness.”

Her gaze focused above his head. Phineas suspected she replayed his words. She was his. When their eyes met again, he held up another finger. “Three. You are my Little girl. Even if you were in perfect health, I would want to cherish and tend to you. That’s what Daddies do. That’s what this Daddy in particular needs.”

“Your home is with me. If you don’t like my place, we’ll start shopping. The only reasons we’ve alternated houses are my work obligations and how close you and your brother are. I thought you’d like to spend some time with him instead of being alone while I was at an evening event or covering a shift at the library due to a staff member’s emergency. Maybe you’d prefer making my bed where we sleep every night, so you’re sure where home is?”

She nodded eagerly.

“So, I’ll text Ivan and tell him we’re moving your clothes to my house permanently this weekend. And I’ll let you decide if you’d like to visit him for dinner when I’m not at home. We can have Ivan over for pizza at our place as well. Okay. It’s your turn. What did I miss?”

“I’d like to have a place where I know I’m staying. Giving up my apartment and my personal space was tough when I got sick.”

Phineas understood completely. “I can see that. Do you need a spot reserved for you at our house? Maybe a special reading chair in our bedroom or in the family room?”

“My nursery is amazing. That’s my space, right?”

“All yours.”

“But that chair thing sounds good. Like a chair with an ottoman?”

“Oh, yeah. You need that,” he agreed. “Any other worries, Little girl?”

She shook her head. “Thanks for understanding, Daddy.”