Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

The room remained quiet as Jessica settled back into the couch, the soft light of the room casting gentle shadows on the walls. Wrapped in the familiar warmth of her blanket, she felt safe, even after the whirlwind of emotions she’d just gone through. The timeout had been tough, but her Daddies had handled it in a way that didn’t make her feel ashamed or unloved. Instead, it felt like another step toward trust—both in herself and them.

As she sat on Sebastian’s lap, her small hands fidgeting with the edge of her blanket, Forrest’s calm, nurturing presence beside her, she felt the warmth of Rowan’s playful energy near. He leaned back on the couch next to her, grinning as he ran his fingers over the crayon, but this time his gaze was softer, more affectionate.

“You’ve grown so much already, princess,” Rowan said, his voice light but filled with meaning. “Even when you get upset you’re learning to talk to us, and you had a big meltdown, without real fear of repercussions. You knew you were safe with us. I love that your trust is growing so much, don’t you?”

Jessica looked up at him, her eyes wide and still damp from the earlier tears. She nodded slowly, her voice small but sure. “I know, Daddy. I just didn’t mean to be so mad.”

Sebastian’s arms tightened around her slightly, and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest as he took a deep breath. “It’s okay to get mad, Jessie. We all do sometimes. The important thing is learning how to deal with that anger.”

Forrest reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face. “You don’t have to be perfect for us, babygirl. You never do. We don’t expect this perfect little girl who always does everything in just the right way. All we ask is that you trust us to help you when things get hard.”

Jessica leaned into his touch, feeling the love in his words. For so long, she’d been afraid of disappointing them, of showing weakness, but in moments like this, she realized that her vulnerability was what drew them closer. They didn’t want her to be perfect. They wanted her to be real.

Sniffling softly, she wiped her eyes and looked up at Sebastian. “Am I still your good girl?”

Her Daddy smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Always, sweetheart. You’ll always be our good girl. Even when you’re being a naughty minx.”

Rowan, never one to miss a chance to make her smile, ruffled her hair playfully before pulling on one of her braids. “You’re the best girl, Jessie. And that unicorn still needs some color, doesn’t it?”

Jessica giggled, the last remnants of her frustration melting away. The broken crayon no longer seemed important, and the tantrum felt like a distant memory. Instead, she was surrounded by the steady love of her Daddies, the kind of love that didn’t waver even when things got hard.

She glanced over at the discarded box and coloring book, her fingers twitching slightly as she thought about picking the crayons back up. But there was something else on her mind, something that had been bubbling beneath the surface even before her small outburst.

“Daddies?”

All three men turned their attention fully to her, their expressions immediately softening with concern and curiosity.

“Yes, babygirl?” Forrest asked, his tone careful, but warm.

“I just... I’ve been thinking,” she began, her voice hesitant but steady. “About what you said earlier, about how I’ve grown. And I guess I’m a little scared. I don’t want to mess it up, you know?”

Sebastian shifted slightly, pulling her closer as he kissed the top of her head. “You won’t mess it up, sweetheart. Growth isn’t about getting it right, it’s about learning and trying again. Even when things are hard.”

Rowan chimed in, his playful tone gentler now. “And we’re here for all of it, Jessie. The good days and the not-so-good days. You don’t have to be afraid.”

Jessica’s heart swelled with their words, and the fear that had been gnawing at the edges of her mind started to fade. She’d never had this before. A place where she could be herself, even when that self wasn’t perfect. Her Daddies wanted her in whatever packaging she came in. It was freeing.

“I love you,” she whispered, the words slipping out without hesitation.

Sebastian’s grip tightened around her protectively, his deep voice full of emotion as he whispered back. “We love you too, sweetheart, more than you know.”

Forrest’s hand rested over hers, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. “Always, Jessica.”

Rowan’s grin was wide and warm as he winked at her. “Forever and ever, pretty girl.”

Jessica felt the warmth of their love surrounding her, filling the empty spaces inside her she hadn’t realized were still there. The playroom, once a place where she sought comfort in the peace and quiet, in the toys and blankets, now felt more like home—a place where she was truly seen, loved, and cherished for who she was, not who she thought she had to be.

With a contented sigh, she nestled deeper into Sebastian’s lap, her hands finally reaching for the crayon Rowan still held. This time, she wasn’t going to move to the floor to color. She’d do it from the comfort of her Daddy’s lap. And she wouldn’t be afraid of mistakes. If another crayon broke, they’d fix it together.

“I think we can finish that unicorn now,” she said, her voice light and teasing, a spark of playfulness in her eyes as she glanced up at Rowan.

Rowan chuckled, handing her the crayon with a playful flourish. “I think that unicorn doesn’t know what’s coming its way. It’s about to get the most epic makeover ever.”

As Jessica began to color again, the familiar rhythm of the crayon against paper soothing her, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace. Her Daddies watched her quietly, their presence a comforting anchor in the storm of emotions she’d been feeling earlier.

And in that quiet, content moment, she realized something—she wasn’t coloring a picture. She was building a future, one where she could trust in herself, in her three awesome Daddies, and in the love they all shared.

The tantrum had been a test, a challenge that could have pushed them apart. But instead it had brought them closer. With every stroke of the crayon, Jessica knew that they were writing their story together—one full of mistakes, learning, and above all, love.

And that was more than she ever could have asked for.