Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“Oh, I, um, sorry,” Brody said. “I was trying to make her something and it got out of hand.”
Out of hand? It looked like the entire contents of his pantry had exploded in here. What had he been making? He glanced down at a dish of what he thought were meant to be pancakes, except they were really runny. Another plate of burnt Pop-Tarts. And then something he couldn’t figure out.
“It was meant to be oatmeal,” Brody told him, chewing his lip.
“I’ll clean it all up, Daddy!” She wiggled out of his hold. “Don’t be mad at Brody-bear!”
“I’m not mad at anyone,” he said calmly. Why would he be mad at some mess? “Let’s clean this up and I’ll cook breakfast.”
The three of them tidied the mess. Then he had them sit down at the counter while he made scrambled eggs on toast.
“Can I have some coffee, please?” Autumn asked.
Instead of pouring her a coffee, he got out her sippy cup and filled it with water. She wrinkled her nose. “This isn’t coffee, Daddy. This is yucky water.”
“Remember I said that you needed to start cutting down.”
“I can’t go without caffeine. I’m ninety-nine percent caffeine. I’ll die,” she said dramatically.
Brody snorted. “You won’t die.”
“I might! I don’t think we should risk it!”
“Too much caffeine isn’t good for you,” he informed her.
“It increases your anxiety and it makes it hard for you to sleep. Please, try to cut down, Tutu? I’m worried about you,” Brody said.
“I guess I could try. I’m just so used to drinking coffee and energy drinks to keep me going because I get so tired.”
“Maybe you need to see a doctor,” the Fox said.
“No! No doctors. Hate doctors.”
“Not all doctors are terrible people, Tutu,” Brody said.
“No. They took my parents from me. I don’t want to see one.”
“Baby girl.” The Fox sat and drew her onto his lap.
She shook against him. “I know they didn’t really take them. They died of their injuries. But I still don’t want to see a doctor. I’ll cut down. I will. Please don’t make me.”
“Fine. Cut down and we’ll see what happens. But if you’re still having issues, you’re going. No arguments.”
She nodded.
Brody cuddled into her back. They stood there until her rumbling stomach reminded him that she hadn’t eaten.
He set her on a stool, then he placed plates of food in front of them.
“I’ll cut down to five coffees a day and three energy drinks.”
Not happening.
“One coffee a day. No energy drinks.”
She gasped, nearly falling backward off her stool. Both of them grabbed her. He glanced down at the seat, wondering if it was faulty.
“You can’t do that, Daddy! That’s practically inhumane. It’s got to be against some law.”
He raised an eyebrow, settling her onto his lap. Perhaps he should get out the high chair he had for her.
Maybe later. He shouldn’t push too far, too fast.
Damn, listen to him. He was so rocking this relationship stuff. He ignored the fact that he’d just been thinking the opposite not that long ago.
“One coffee? I can’t do it!”
“Two coffees, but you need to drink plenty of water.”
She nodded. He set her on one knee and forked up some food, testing the temperature before holding it to her lips.
“Daddy, you don’t gots to feed me.” She was drifting further into Little headspace and he wasn’t complaining.
Brody had already shoveled all of his food into his mouth. That boy could eat faster than anyone he’d ever met before. It was like he thought it would disappear if he didn’t eat it quickly enough.
“I have a feeling if I don’t feed you, then you won’t eat.”
“But you can’t eat with me on your lap.”
“I’ll eat after. Or I could get your high chair.”
She stilled. “I don’t have a high chair.”
“Yeah, you do.”
She squirmed, clearly liking that idea.
And they’d be exploring how far she wanted to regress at some stage. But right now, he wanted to get her fed and show them their playroom.
“Eat your food, baby.”
She opened her mouth, taking food. After four bites, she turned her head away. “Full.”
“Really?” He set her on the counter in front of him so he could study her face. He didn’t for a moment believe she was full. “You’re full?” He put his hand on her tummy. “How are you feeling? Any pain?”
“Oh, um, I’m good.”
Yeah, he didn’t believe that either.
“Bunny,” he warned. “Tell me.”
“It’s a bit sore.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Brody got off the stool. “I’ll get you some painkiller.”
He raced off.
“No running in the house!” the Fox yelled after him.
“Oh, I didn’t mean for him to go get it. I can get it.” She tried to wriggle off the counter, but the Fox put his hands on her thighs.
“Stop.”
She froze.
“Stay where you are.”
“But Brody—”
“Is happy to go get your medicine. It’s all right to say when you need something. It’s my job to look after you, but sometimes, I don’t see things I should. I need you to tell me when you require something.”