Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

Her little body was shaking from the force of her sobs. She looked so
fucking afraid and vulnerable at that moment, it broke me.
“I-I didn’t mean to break your plates, I’m so sorry! I know I deserve to be
punished, I’m sorry.”
I felt Sofia tense next to me, probably because she realized that since I
was applying to be her legal guardian, discipline would also be on my list of
responsibilities.
She didn’t need to worry though, I had no intention of punishing Valentina,
not now, over some fucking plates and glasses, and certainly not ever.
I caressed Valentina’s hair away from her face, offering her a reassuring
smile, “Hey, pretty girl, it’s okay. I don’t care about any of that stuff. You
could break all my dishes and I still wouldn’t be mad at you. I know it was
an accident, please stop crying.”
She didn’t say anything and just hugged me tight for what felt like hours. I
didn’t move, just hugged her back and rubbed her back like I’d seen Sofia do
it often to reassure her.
“I just wanted to thank you for helping us. And for protecting us from the
monsters last night.” She sniffled against my neck and it took all my strength
not to burst into tears right then.
I, a twenty-eight year old man, was totally and utterly wrapped around
that little girl’s finger. I knew at that moment I would do everything to protect
her. She had wormed her way into my heart in such a small amount of time, it
was insane.
Valentina and I, we got each other somehow, her pain spoke to me, and I
wanted nothing more than to erase it.
Knowing she had planned on thanking me for helping them after they were
left alone in the world with no one to protect them? It broke my heart.
Because a child should never have to thank anyone for protecting them. They