Prologue
"Little Lotterbug, where are you hiding?" Vince called out in a singsong voice, a playful smile on his face. He and his two daughters Elizabeth and Charlotte were playing their favorite game of hide-and-seek around their home. At only six years old, Charlotte had an uncanny knack for finding clever spots to conceal herself, though she could never resist giggling and giving herself away.
As Vince crept from room to room, the echoes of Charlotte's laughter guided his search. Upstairs, explosions and gunfire sounded from 12-year-old Oliver's bedroom. With his mop of red hair tousled from intense focus, Ollie remained engrossed in his video game battle on screen.
Ten-year-old Lizzie had already been found. Impatient to help locate her little sister, she climbed eagerly onto Vince's back, tucking a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I bet she's in the cabinet," Lizzie whispered.
"You could be right," Vince agreed with a smile, making his way closer. Sure enough, Charlotte's giggles were coming distinctly from inside the cabinet.
"Gotcha!" Vince exclaimed, throwing open the door. Charlotte erupted in high-pitched laughter, instantly latching her small arms around her father's neck in delight.
"Who wants ice cream?" Anna, Vince's wife, walked in the kitchen, smiling at the happy chaos of Lizzie and Charlotte clinging to their dad.
"Me, me!" Lizzie and Charlotte both jumped up and down, clutching their dad excitedly.
Giggling, Lizzie peeled herself away from Vince. "Can I have sprinkles on mine?" she asked Anna.
"We'll see," Anna replied. "Lizzie, be a dear and go get your brother."
"Okay!" Lizzie bounded from the room and they heard her take the stairs two at a time, hollering for Ollie.
Anna placed a hand on her stomach. "V, do you mind driving? I'm feeling tired."
Vince gently brushed a lock of red hair from her face and kissed her lips sweetly.
"Of course, darling."
"Ewww!" Charlotte covered one eye through her tiny fingers, peeking through with the other as she scrunched her nose. Her crimson curls fell across her face in disarray.
Vince and Anna chuckled. Vince reached over to tousle Charlotte's hair, smiling warmly. "Go put your shoes on, Bug."
Charlotte scurried to the front door, singing a silly made-up song as she struggled to fasten her purple velcro sandals.
"Hurry up, Ollie! Lizzie!" she called up the stairs.
"I'll be down when I'm done!" Ollie shouted back from his room.
"Patience, fragolina," Anna said gently. But Charlotte only pouted more as she scuffed her feet.
Anna's tone grew firm. "Charlotte, no more fussing."
Vince chuckled and took Charlotte's tiny hand in his. "Come on, Bug." Her face lit up as they headed out.
As Charlotte hopped over her booster seat, Vince gently took her small hand in his. "Bug, you have to sit in the booster."
She peered up with shining eyes, as if hoping to see him waiver. "But I'll be soooo careful, Daddy! And Ollie and Lizzie don't have to!
"Ollie and Lizzie are bigger than you," Vince explained, a smile threatening to break through at Charlotte's determination. "You're my itty bitty Lotterbug. And the booster keeps you safe."
"But Daaad, I'm a big girl now! Like Lizzie! Please?" She pouted even more impressively than Lizzie, pushing her bottom lip out to maximize the effect.
YOU ARE READING
breathe
Genç Kurgu[BOOK 2 OF FEARLESS] *mature content* "Why are you sugaring me up?" he asked with a raised brow. "I'm your sugar mommy," she teased. "Minus giving you money. I'm broke as hell." "Do you need money? I can give you some," he offered. She shook her hea...
