3. Sean

Having Gabby in his house made everything feel warmer and cozier. Even though she was upstairs in the nursery and he was down in his office, he could still feel her presence in the house. When he had walked up with a plate of snacks and found her sitting on her knees, leaning forward to look at all the picture books, he could barely breathe. She was adorable and had the sweetest innocence about her that made his Daddy side go crazy.

Obviously, she was nervous and easily startled, which concerned him because he wanted her to feel completely safe. He also noticed that she spoke very little and wondered about that. Was she just uncomfortable or was there another reason that it was hard for her to talk? Whichever it was, he didn't mind that she was quiet. As long as he understood what she needed from him, he could make it work.

His phone vibrated with a text from Zane.

Everything going okay?

Sean sent a thumbs-up back and put his phone down.

He appreciated the fact that Zane had thought of him to take in Gabby. He could see what Zane had been talking about when he'd said she needed a softer Daddy. He didn't suspect she would have done very well if she had gone home with Zane and Jace. Sean already couldn't stand the thought of her going home with any other Daddy, for that matter.

Sean had more questions than answers when it came to Gabby and who she was as a woman and a Little. He wondered what had made her move to Seattle and why she didn't have any family to stay with or help her out. He wanted to know why she was so scared and jumpy. He had a feeling the poor woman had been through a lot in her lifetime, and he might never know the depth of it, but he sure hoped she would trust him enough to tell him one day.

After making a list of supplies he needed to pick up to ensure Gabby had a comfortable stay at his house, Sean went to the kitchen and looked through the cupboards for ingredients to make dinner. He hadn't asked Gabby if she had any allergies, so he decided to make three separate items instead of a casserole.

While he cooked, Sean wondered what she was doing in the nursery. He hoped she was making herself comfortable and getting into all the toys. The stuffed dog that she'd had with her looked well-loved, and while he knew most Littles always had a favorite stuffy, he'd loved seeing her eyes light up when she'd seen all the stuffed animals on the bed.

Making his way upstairs to get her for dinner, he was shocked when he stepped in the doorway and saw that the room looked barely touched. Gabby was sitting on the floor, gently turning the page of one of the picture books.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said as gently as he could.

He hated how easily she got startled.

Gabby looked up, and he saw a flicker of fear in her eyes, and then she seemed to relax when she saw that it was him.

"What book are you reading?"

She held it up to show him.

"Ah, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. That's a good one. If you'd like, I can read you a story before bed. But for now, is there a very hungry Gabby that wants to come down to eat dinner?"

She nodded and carefully closed the book and put it back on the shelf. Was she just a tidy person? Her car hadn't seemed overly clean when he'd looked inside.

Gabby stood and followed him downstairs. When they were in the kitchen, Sean pulled out two plates and held them up for her.

"Would you like a regular plate, or would you like a pink plastic plate?"

She looked back and forth from each plate, nibbling on her bottom lip. He had a feeling she wanted the pink plate but was worried about saying the wrong thing.

"How about the pink plate? It's much prettier," he offered.

She smiled and nodded, "Okay. I like that one."

Warmth spread through him. Even though she had said only a few short words, he was glad she was talking. He wanted her to feel comfortable with him.

"Are you allergic to anything, Gabby girl?"

She shook her head but didn't say anything.

He nodded as he put a piece of chicken on her plate and began cutting it into bite-size pieces. Then he added some steamed carrots and cheesy mashed potatoes to her dish.

"Sit down at the table, sweetheart."

Gabby went to the table and sat. He brought her plate over and set it in front of her along with some plastic cutlery sized for kids. He went back to the kitchen, grabbed a sippy cup, a bottle, and a plastic cup, and took them to the table.

"Which one would you prefer?"

He wanted to give her choices, so she felt safe to be whatever age Little that she was. She eyed the cups.

"There is no wrong answer, sweetheart. You are safe here, and you are safe to be who you are."

She looked up and studied him before lowering her eyes to the cups again.

"Can I have the sippy cup?"

He smiled and nodded.

"Of course."

Sean filled the sippy cup with milk. He would give her a nutritional shake each day to help with her weight and overall health, but he would give her water or milk with dinner.

When he sat down next to her with his plate of food, she smiled at him.

"Thank you for dinner."

"You're welcome. Thank you for joining me for dinner. You'll have to tell me what your favorite foods are so I can make you things that you like."

She ate slowly, but he was pleased when she ate everything that he'd dished up for her. He asked if she wanted seconds, but she shook her head.

"Would you like to take a bath or shower before bed?"

"Can I take a bath?"

Sean smiled and nodded, "Of course."

Gabby followed him upstairs, and when he went into the bathroom to pull out the bubble bath and bath toys for her, she stood quietly outside the door. He turned on the taps and plugged the tub.

"Do you need help in the bath, or would you prefer I leave you be?"

She lowered her eyes to the floor and blushed, and Sean realized that as timid as she was, having a stranger bathe her was probably a hard no.

"It's okay, sweetie. I'll leave you to take a bath. Call out for me if you need anything."

Sean left the bathroom and closed the door softly behind him. Going into his bedroom, he changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, and lay down on his bed, listening in case Gabby called out for him. He needed to figure out how he could gain her trust. He knew it wouldn't be easy. Whatever she had been through in her life had really done a number on her.

He could be patient and show her that he was trustworthy and only had her best interest at heart. She was so tiny, and all he wanted to do was wrap her up in his arms and take care of her.

After a while, he heard the bathroom door open and a set of small feet padding across the hall. He gave her a few minutes before making his way down the hall to the nursery. The door was slightly ajar, but he knocked gently not to startle her. She was standing next to the twin-sized bed, pulling the blankets back, when he nudged the door open further. The pajamas she wore were threadbare and looked a couple of sizes too big. Maybe he should order her some clothes. He knew she didn't have the money to buy any for herself, and it was the least he could do to make her feel comfortable.

"Do you need anything before you go to bed? Water, a snack, a story?"

Gabby looked up at him and then glanced at the bookshelf.

"I've never had anyone read me a story."

How sad was that? The sweet little girl had never even had a story read to her. Sadness filled him and the only thing he wanted to do was give her all of the things that she had never experienced in her life but should have.

"Well, we need to change that, don't we? Go ahead and get snuggled up under the covers. I'll pick out a story and sit in the rocking chair while I read it."

He wanted to make sure he gave her enough space so she could relax and actually enjoy the story instead of worrying about her surroundings.

She smiled and nodded, "You don't mind?"

"I don't mind at all. I would love to read to you."

Sean walked into the room and went to the bookcase while Gabby climbed under the covers and hugged her stuffed dog to her chest. Sitting down in the rocking chair, Sean opened the book and began to read. After reading each page, he turned the book around to show her the illustrations. He was only halfway through the story when he heard a soft snore coming from Gabby.

Closing the book, he set it on the nightstand, and after one last look at the sweet sleeping girl, he left the room.