"I think I finally get it."

"Get what?" There was something about the look in his eyes, the confidence, the surety, that had me swallowing hard.

"You." And as he smiled, it was almost smug. "I get you, Oz. You're a little, Aren't you?"

If only I had known at the time just how much those few little words were going to change my life.

The Little Of Oz Series

Even hurt, I couldn't disobey him. Even with him hurt, I accepted his comfort. He pulled me into his arms, pulling me onto his lap. His hand found mine, closing around them and squeezing.

/"I tried. I thought maybe he was right, but he wasn't. Thinking about my future, about my days without you in it, it hurt worse than this ever could./" He waved to his face. /"I love you, Oz. I meant that; tell me that you love me too. Tell me that you want me here as much as I want to be here, and I promise that he won't keep me away from you./"

/"I do./" Words failed to bring justice to how much I needed him. Wanted him. Words failed. My arms wrapped around his neck, squeezing him so tight that I could hardly breathe. /"I do, Daddy. But what if he hurts you again?/"

/"It's a risk I'm willing to take. But I don't think he will. He just lost his temper. He told me to go away. He told me twice before he hit me. I didn't fight back, either./"

Chapter51