At Home (Finding Home, #1)

by Carly Marie

I had no idea how long I worked on my picture. I knew three episodes of the cartoon had played on the TV and I’d finished a sippy cup of water. Measuring time in cartoons and sippy cups was so much better than looking at my phone constantly.

He pulled out a gray outfit—pajamas, maybe—that had blue trim and smiling little fuzz-balls and snaps down the front. It was one of the clothing items I hadn’t worn yet, but the bright pattern had drawn my attention a number of times. My feet started wiggling back and forth as I waited for him to get me dressed.

“G’morning, Daddy,” he murmured around his thumb. “Good morning, buddy,” I responded reaching out to brush a sleep-mussed curl from his forehead. “Are you ready to start the day?” “No…” Derek grumbled pulling his thumb from his mouth and covering his head with his blanket.

It was Daddy’s job to think and my job to feel. Right then, everything felt right. I was warm, Daddy was doting on me, and I felt loved. There wasn’t a single thing about the situation I would change.