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I nodded eagerly and returned to my blanket, carefully selecting another dinosaur to color. This time I chose a stegosaurus, deciding to make him purple because that was a royal color and stegosauruses were very important dinosaurs.

The smell of popcorn soon filled the cabin, making my tummy rumble despite the pancakes we'd had earlier. When Daddy returned with a big bowl of buttery popcorn, I clapped my hands in delight.

"Movie time," I said, scrambling onto the couch with Patches and Bear.

Daddy settled beside me, placing the bowl of popcorn between us. I immediately snuggled closer to his side, making sure Patches and Bear had good views of the TV too.

"What would you like to watch, little one?" Daddy asked, navigating through streaming options.

"Dinosaurs," I replied without hesitation. "Or maybe... superheroes?"

"How about both?" Daddy suggested. "We could start with that dinosaur movie where they make a park, but only the parts that aren't too scary. Then maybe something with superheroes after?"

"Yes," I said, shoving a handful of popcorn into my mouth. "That's perfect."

Daddy found the movie and started it, but made sure to skip the scary parts where people got eaten. I appreciated that—I didn't want nightmares. Instead, I focused on the amazing dinosaurs, gasping in wonder each time a new one appeared on screen.

"That one." I pointed excitedly. "That's a brachiosaurus. They have really long necks so they can eat leaves from the tallest trees."

"Is that so?" Daddy asked, seeming genuinely interested in my dinosaur knowledge.

"Uh-huh. And they're gentle giants. They don't eat people or other dinosaurs. Just plants."

"Like you," Daddy observed with a smile. "You're gentle too."

I beamed at the comparison, snuggling closer to his side. His arm wrapped around me, making me feel safe and protected. Halfway through the movie, I started to feel sleepy, my eyelids growing heavy despite my best efforts to stay awake.

"Tired, little one?" Daddy asked softly, noticing my struggle.

"No," I protested weakly, even as I yawned widely. "Wanna see the dinosaurs."

"They'll be here when you wake up," he promised. "How about a little nap?"

I wanted to argue, but my body betrayed me with another yawn. "Will you stay with me?"

"Of course," Daddy assured me, shifting so I could lay my head in his lap. "I'll be right here."

I settled down, Patches and Bear tucked securely against my chest, my dinosaur blanket draped over me. Daddy's large hand stroked my hair in a soothing rhythm, and I felt myself drifting off, safe and content.

When I woke up, the living room was bathed in afternoon sunlight. I was still on the couch, but now fully stretched out with my head on a pillow. Daddy wasn't beside me anymore, but I could hear his deep voice coming from the kitchen.

For a moment, I felt a flicker of my adult self trying to surface—a voice in the back of my mind that whispered about danger and responsibilities and the strangeness of this situation. But I pushed it away. Being Little was so much better.

Here, I was safe. Here, I didn't have to worry about bad men with guns or Harold trying to hurt me. Here, I had Daddy to protect me and new stuffies and dinosaur blankets.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes and looking around for Patches and Bear. They had fallen to the floor during my nap, and I quickly scooped them up, checking to make sure they were okay.

"Did you have a good nap?" Daddy's voice came from the doorway. He was holding a glass of juice and a small plate with apple slices arranged in a fan shape.

"Uh-huh," I nodded, making room for him on the couch. "Patches and Bear fell, but they're okay."

"I'm glad to hear it," Daddy said, sitting beside me and offering the snack. "I thought you might be thirsty when you woke up."

"Thank you," I said, taking a sip of the juice. It was apple, my favorite, and not too cold. Perfect. I munched on an apple slice, suddenly realizing how hungry I was. "Did you nap too?"

"No, little one. I had some work to do while you were sleeping." His expression was serious for a moment before softening again. "But I checked on you every few minutes."

"To make sure I was safe?" I asked, the memory of danger flickering at the edges of my consciousness before floating away again.

"That's right," Daddy confirmed, his large hand gentle as it smoothed my rumpled hair. "I'll always keep you safe."

I believed him completely, the absolute certainty warming me from the inside. I finished my apple slices, then looked up at him hopefully.

"Can we finish the movie now?"

Daddy grinned. "Absolutely."

The next day was quiet. Daddy spent a lot of time talking to different people but made sure I was busy and safe. After lunch and a nap I asked if we could watch the dinosaur movie again.

"Daisy called while you were sleeping. She'd like to come visit and bring her special friend with her."

My eyes widened. "A special friend? Who is it?"

Daddy chuckled. "Her name’s Annabel and she’s even got a teddy to bring to meet Bear and Patches."

I nodded eagerly. "I like Daisy. She's nice."

"She likes you too, little one." Daddy hesitated, then asked, "How are you feeling after your nap?"

I thought about it, wiggling my toes under my dinosaur blanket. "Happy," I decided. "And safe."

Something complicated passed over Daddy's face—relief mixed with something else I couldn't name. He reached out and brushed his thumb across my cheek in a gesture so tender it made my chest ache.

"They should be here soon," Daddy said, checking his phone. "Why don't we clean up a bit and get ready for our visitors?"

I bounced excitedly, gathering my coloring supplies and arranging them neatly on the coffee table. "Do you think Daisy's friend will want to color with me?"

"I bet she would," Daddy replied, helping me fold my dinosaur blanket. "And maybe you can show her your new dinosaur pajamas too." Daddy had bought three more pairs for me.

I nodded enthusiastically, carefully positioning Patches and Bear on the couch so they'd be ready to greet our guests. The prospect of meeting someone new—especially someone who might be like me—sent a thrill of excitement through me.

When the knock came at the door, I practically vibrated with anticipation.

Daddy checked the peephole before opening it, revealing Daisy standing with a tall, tattooed man who looked nearly as imposing as Daddy.

Beside him stood a petite woman with long blonde hair pulled into pigtails, clutching a teddy bear wearing a pink tutu.

"Hello, sweetie." Daisy greeted me warmly. "This is Bolt and Annabel. They've been so excited to meet you."

I shyly stepped closer to Daddy, suddenly feeling a bit overwhelmed. The woman—Annabel—smiled brightly at me, then held up her teddy bear.

"This is Princess," she said, her voice soft and musical. "She's been super excited to meet your stuffies."

My shyness melted away at the mention of Patches and Bear. "My stuffies are over here," I explained, taking her hand without thinking and pulling her toward the couch. "This is Patches, he's been with me for a long time. And this is Bear—he's new, but he's already Patches' best friend."

Annabel followed me eagerly, sitting cross-legged on the floor as I introduced our stuffed animals with great ceremony. She treated each introduction with perfect seriousness, making Princess bow to Patches and Bear.

"Princess is very pleased to meet such distinguished gentlemen," Annabel said, her eyes twinkling. "She doesn't have many boyfriends."

"They can all be friends," I declared, arranging the three stuffies in a circle. "Patches likes everyone, and Bear is learning."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Daddy and Bolt disappearing into the kitchen with Daisy, but I was too engrossed in playing with Annabel to worry about them. She was showing me how Princess could do a special twirl in her tutu.

"Do you want to color?" I asked, gesturing to my new supplies. "Daddy got me dinosaur books."

"I love dinosaurs," Annabel said, already reaching for the coloring books. "Which one's your favorite?"