Page 283 of Second Sets Omnibus

Lyric pouts, rubbing at her stomach. “Nope, Daddy. I won’t, I promise—” her little voice trails off when she looks down at her puke-soaked shirt. “Is dirty,” she whines, tears coming to her eyes.

First, she has a tummy ache and pukes, and now, she’s about to cry about the stains lining her shirt. Not to mention the stomach acid stench wafting from her body.

“Bath time,” I say, kneeling in front of Lyric. “Is it okay if Daddy gives you a bath? We can go to the bathroom in my room. I might have some bubbles.”

“I uh, have a bath bomb she could use. It’s green, though,” Asher chimes in, rubbing the back of his neck.

Her entire face lights up, and she nods. “Bath bomb!!” she squeals like she didn’t just projectile vomit all over the room.

Little devil.

“Let’s take this shirt off first,” Asher says, holding his breath as he pulls it over her little head, muttering unintelligible words resembling fuck and shit. “I’ll throw this into the wash and grab the green bath bomb. Little One, you have a fun bath, okay? I’ll be up there in a sec.”

“I guess I’ll clean up the mess.” Rad’s lips turn down as he surveys the vomit chunks on the floor. “I’ll just puke my way through it,” he whines, covering his mouth.

Lyric nods with excitement, taking my hand in hers. I hold back the hot acid sitting in the back of my throat when she pulls me out of the bathroom, and we make our way upstairs.

“All right, Little Blue. Let’s get you into the bath,” I grin, starting to fill up the bath with warm water.

“Here,” Asher says, peeking into the bathroom and handing me a green-looking ball.

“You use these?” I ask, holding it up in the air to examine it.

“They smell nice,” he mumbles, turning beet red, and walks away before I can say anything else.

Within a few minutes, tiny green bubbles appear in the water, getting bigger as the tub fills. After getting Ly undressed and ensuring she’s comfortable, I set her in the water and begin washing her face and shoulders with a washcloth.

“Lean your head back,” I murmur, finding a large cup.

“Okay,” she says, squeezing her eyes shut.

Emotions bubble in my throat as I gently lean her head back and pour the water over her hair.

“Does your belly feel better now, Little Blue?”

“Mmhmm,” she hums softly as my fingers work through her hair, lulling her into serenity as I push shampoo through her strands and repeat the process.

“Do you love Mommy?” she asks, wiping her eyes when I’m finally done washing her hair and body.

Sitting back on the floor, my stomach drops at her question. “I do,” I whisper, grabbing a towel to wipe her face off. “I’ve known your mommy since she was your age. We were best friends.”

“Then why didn’t you want me?” she whispers, squeezing her little eyes shut. Her little lips quiver, and she sniffles, trying hard to hold back her heavy emotions.

“No,” I whisper frantically, clutching her little face between my palms. “I always wanted you. I just didn’t know about you as I should have.” Fuck. My heart pounds in my chest when she sniffles, slicing through my fucking soul. No child should have to feel such deep, earth-shattering emotions. “I’ve always wanted you, Little Blue. Even if I didn’t know about you. I swear, baby girl. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Daddy,” she whispers, leaning into my touch.

“How about we get you out of there and into some pajamas? Then you can show me what you watch on your tablet,” I murmur with a broken heart until she nods.

“Okay, Daddy,” she says softly as I grab a towel and help her out.

Once she’s wrapped tight in a towel, I set her on my bed and dig out an old Whispered Words shirt. Much to her delight. It’s like the entire night didn’t happen when she climbs under my sheets after grabbing her tablet.

Selfishly I keep her to myself in my bedroom, lying in bed together under the blankets. Thankfully, the other guys give me that time to cuddle with my baby. Lyric smiles and laughs, like our conversation in the bathroom hadn’t shattered her, as we watch her favorite YouTube videos until she falls asleep with her tablet clutched to her chest.

“I’ll never let you down again,” I murmur into her wet hair, knowing at some point in her life, I’ll disappoint her. I’m not perfect. But I’ll try to be for her sake. I’ll be the best damn fatherI can be. Unlike mine. He walked away without regretting a damn thing. But that’s not me. I walked away, sure. But I didn’t know about her.

At some point in the night, I wake up with my brows furrowing in confusion. Last I knew, Lyric was snuggled beside me. Now, a warm body presses against mine, clutching tightly to my side.