He turned it to show the open back, which had two levels and was painted a plain white. “We haven’t had a chance to make any people for it. This has been taking up our spare time.”
“When did you have time?” she asked in amazement.
“We found some time every day,” Archer told her. “While one of us kept you entertained, the other one would sneak off to work on it.” He gave it a skeptical look. “Still think it’s not safe.”
Issy turned it back around then he gave the roof a thump. “It’s solid.”
A shutter fell off onto the floor. He reached down and quickly scooped it up, placing it in his pocket. “Archer did that one.”
“I did not!”
She started giggling. And then she wasn’t laughing, she was crying. Tears dripped down her face.
“Shit! She’s crying.” Issy leaped for her but Archer pulled her up into his arms first, carrying her to the sofa.
“Shh, poppet. It’s okay. If you don’t want to play with it, you don’t have to.” Archer sat, holding her tightly on his lap.
Issy crouched in front of her. He rubbed his hand up and down her back. “We know it’s not as good as Dave’s train set that he made. We didn’t make it to replace that. But we just thought…maybe you would like something to play with that we made for you. Look.”
He moved back and picking up the house, tilted it so she could see underneath.
For Caley
From Daddy and Papa who love her very much.
She sobbed, burying her face in Archer’s chest.
“Shit, Archer, what do we do?”
“Take it away,” Archer told him. “Get it out of her sight.”
“No, Daddy, don’t!” She jumped out of Archer’s lap and raced over to the small house, hugging it. Carefully. “I love it.”
“Then why did you cry?” Issy asked.
“It just…it’s amazing. And special. And I can’t believe you guys did this for me. Thank you!” She jumped at Issy, hugging him tight before moving to Archer, giving him a squeeze. “Thank you so much. I’m so lucky.”
“Nope,” Issy told her, moving up behind her so she was wrapped up in their embrace.
“What he means is that we’re the lucky ones,” Archer told her.
“Christ. I hate when he does that,” Issy grumbled.
She giggled.
* * *
She waited until later that night to give them their present.
She sat between them on the huge couch.
“What’s this, poppet?” Archer grumbled. “You’re not working tonight.”
She cleared her throat. “Uhh, no. I thought you might like to read a bit of the book I’m working on. You’ll probably want to wait until it’s finished to read it all. But here’s the beginning.”
“Wait, I finally get to read a book you’ve written?” Issy asked, half turning towards her.
Heat filled her cheeks. “It’s only fair. Since it’s about the two of you.”
She stared down at the opening words.
If I’d known the thunderstorm was going to bring them to me, I wouldn’t have been so scared. I would have known that my life was going to change. That nothing would ever be the same.
And I would have told myself that I never had to be frightened again.
They were going to heal me. Body and soul.
Because the two of them, they were going to be my saviors, my heroes, my protectors.
My Daddy and my Papa.
Heal Me, Daddy Page 34