Little Shepherd

Chapter 3

When they arrive back at their small apartment Derek sits Josie down at the kitchen table.

"Am I in trouble Daddy?" She asks him sheepishly.

"No baby, not at all. I just need to talk to you about something..." She lowers her head.

"It's about mommy isn't it?" She asks, sadly. He nods.

"It is."

"Are we going home?" The smallest hint of hope in her voice breaks his heart.

"No baby...this is home now." He says carefully, still unsure what to say. "You remember the night you I came to seattle? The night we left?"

"You and mommy were fighting...because Uncle Mark was playing a game with mommy in your room when you weren't home...right?"

"Yeah...sort of sweetie. You know when people get married they love each other very much, and they promise with all their hearts that they'll love each other and no one else forever and ever for as long as they both shall live." She nods. "Well mommy broke that promise."

"She gave her love to Uncle Mark?" She asks innocently. He nods, tearing up.

"She did. She gave her love to Uncle Mark and broke her promise to Daddy...and her promise to you."

"That's why we left?"

"Yes sweetie, that's why we left." She scoots out of her chair and climbs onto his lap, snuggling into him. He wraps his arms around her.

"I'll never give my love to anyone else Daddy. I love you with my whole heart." She says tearfully as she hugs him. He runs his hand over her bright red hair.

"I love you too Jojo." He says lovingly kissing her forehead. "No matter what happens with Mommy, Daddy will always protect you." Josie looks up at him with her big watery blue eyes, noticing as he begins to cry. She wipes his tears away.

"Don't cry Daddy. You don't need to be sad. I'll protect you too." She kisses his cheek. "It'll be okay Daddy." He smiles at her.

"You're right honey, as long as I have you everything will be okay." He wiggles his nose against hers, making her giggle. "What do you say we order some pizza and watch a movie before bedtime?"

"Yeah!" She cheers happily. And with that they leave the table, spending the rest of the night curled up on the couch together. Derek appreciates every second he has with his little girl. He's so grateful to have her by his side, he couldn't even imagine going through all of this without her. She gives him hope, a reason to get out of bed every morning. There's no words to even begin to describe how amazed and inspired by her he is. Sitting there on that couch, next to his sweet angel he began to see a future for the two of them, one filled with happiness and love, and most importantly loyalty. He knows he'll always have her by his side no matter what they may have to face. He knows they'll be okay because they have each other, and nothing else matters.