Daddy's Precious Little Girl

Friday

Ethan's POV

It was Friday, and as I made my way to The Sanctuary, a familiar knot of worry twisted in my stomach. I walked into the main play area, scanning the room for any sign of her, but my heart sank when I didn't spot her among the other Littles. This was the third day in a row that I hadn't seen Ashlynn playing with her friends. Each time I arrived, she had been tucked away in the nap room, and today was no different. I didn't need to ask anyone where she was; I knew exactly where to go.

With a sense of urgency, I headed toward the nap room, pushing the door open softly. The gentle hum of quiet filled the space, and my heart ached as I saw Ashlynn nestled in one of the toddler bed conversions, her small form cocooned in a cozy blanket. The peaceful rise and fall of her chest was a small comfort, but I couldn't shake the concern that had settled over me.

She still wouldn't talk about what was bothering her, I suspected it had something to do with Marcy being back but I haven't receive a report about anything going on between the two of them.

As I approached her, I noticed that her cheeks were slightly flushed, an unusual warmth radiating from her. I reached down, placing a hand on her forehead, and my heart dropped. She felt warm, warmer than usual, and I couldn't ignore the growing worry in my chest.

Just then, Hannah stepped in from the side, her expression thoughtful. "Ethan," she began, catching my eye. "I was just about to come find you. Ashlynn has a slight fever."

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" I asked, my voice edged with concern.

"She seemed fine earlier, just a bit tired. I didn't want to alarm you," Hannah replied, her tone calm and reassuring. "But she's been a little quiet today. I thought a nap would help her."

I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle heavily on my shoulders. "I appreciate you looking after her," I said, my voice softening as I focused back on Ashlynn. I leaned down, gently lifting her into my arms. She stirred slightly but didn't fully wake, and I cradled her against me, feeling the heat radiating from her small body.

"Is she okay?" I asked, concern lacing my words as I adjusted her in my hold.

Hannah nodded, though her brow furrowed with concern. "It's just a slight fever, nothing that even requires medication. But I'd recommend keeping an eye on her. She may need some extra comfort this weekend."

I held Ashlynn closer, feeling the warmth of her body seep into me. "I'll make sure she's taken care of," I promised, my mind already racing with thoughts of how to create a cozy environment for her at home, but first we had to get through my last two classes of the day.

As I entered my classroom, the familiar scent of whiteboard markers and paper surrounded me, but my mind was elsewhere, focused on Ashlynn. I placed her gently into the crib at the back of the room, ensuring she was nestled under her favorite blanket. The weight of worry settled in my chest; she had been through so much this week, and I hoped the quiet of the nap room had helped her recharge and I really hoped she wasn't getting sick.

Once Ashlynn was settled, I turned to my students, who were trickling in quietly, their expressions filled with anticipation. They expected Ashlynn to be sleeping, and I felt a sense of relief that she had at least found some peace. I took a deep breath, ready to start the lesson about understanding the emotional needs of Littles and creating a supportive environment for them.

"Good afternoon, everyone," I began, my voice steady. "Today, we're going to discuss how to identify and respond to the emotional needs of Littles. It's essential to understand that our Littles are not robots; they have feelings and experiences that require our attention and compassion."