| Chapter Seven The Gift |
Nadia had gotten over the pumpkin family killing and had moved onto how much candy she was going to get at the upcoming Halloween party. Mark realized this was another difficult task that he had to undertake. He would have to break Nadia's heart and tell her that she couldn't eat any candy. Wendy, Jessica and Alex were trying to put together costumes for themselves as well as for Sarah and Nadia. Patricia had taken the girls to the local thrift store that afternoon to try and assemble some sort of costumes before Tuesday night. Patricia was quite the seamstress and had been teaching some of the girls at the school how to sew in her free time. Mark had just stepped in to see how things were going when he heard Nadia comment on all the candy she was going to get. �Good afternoon girls.� "Hi Daddy," Sarah said. Hey Dad,� Wendy answered. Mark reached over and patted Nadia on the head. "Hi lil pumpkin. I came to see what you were doing and if you wanted to take a walk with me." He smile turned to a frown. "Did I do something wrong Daddy?" "Ohh no sweetie, you didn't do anything wrong, but Daddy needs to talk to you about something very important." Mark reached out and took hold of Nadia�s hand. "Ok Daddy, I guess we can talk a little," she replied as they headed out the door. They walked down the stairs and through the halls. Mark took Nadia into the kitchen. Nadia watched as Mark dug in the refrigerator for some grapes. He then retrieved some apples and bananas from the counter. She watched with intrigue as Mark sat all of the things onto the counter, then he reached down and scooped her up into his arms. Before he placed her onto the counter next to all of the food he snuggled with her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. She remembered the spanking Daddy had given her just two days ago and how much it hurt, but when he held her and hugged her, it made her feel very safe. With a smile, Nadia laid her head onto his chest and closed her eyes. "No no baby, can't sleep now. Daddy needs to talk to you about something.� Mark sat Nadia on the counter. "About apples and grapes?" she pointed. �You know I love you bunches, right?" he asked as he brushed her hair away from her face. "I love my daddy bunches too," she replied with a smile. You know that I only want to do what�s best for you and to keep you safe and healthy," he continued. "You know that apples, bananas and grapes are good for you. These are good things for you to eat. You also know that the cook makes special things for you sometimes as a treat because you can't eat candy.� he reminded her. "I know Daddy, cause of my sickness that makes me take shots," she replied. "That's right. I don't want to make you cry sweetie, but you know that you can't eat the candy you will get on Halloween. I am telling you now cause I want you to have fun, but when you come back Daddy has to take your candy.� "Nadia sat there and stared at Mark in silence. Mark watched her to see what she was going to do. He was ready for the tears. "I was gonna give my candy to Sarah, Daddy, but if you want it then you can have it," she replied with a smile. "You mean you understand?" he asked in surprise. "Yes Daddy. Wendy explained it to me already. She said that the candy would make me really sick and I would have to leave here and go in the hospital. They would stick me with lots and lots of needles. I only want you to stick me Daddy, cause when you do it, it only hurts a little bit and you always hold me tight after it's done. Will they hold me tight till I don't cry anymore?" she asked as she flashed her big green eyes at him. "You are truly an amazing little girl and Daddy loves you so very much.� Mark scooped her up and hugged her tight. "Tomorrow I think we can make a little trip into town and go look for a special beanie baby just for you," he said. "Can I pick the one I want?" she asked as she wiggled with excitement. "Any one that you want," he replied. Mark then reached into his back pocket and pulled out her insulin kit and laid it onto the counter. "Do we have to do it now Daddy," she whined. "We can do it real quick so you can get back to your costume," he replied as he sat her onto the counter. Nadia watched as her father opened the pack, took out the syringe and filled it with the correct amount of insulin. She knew it would hurt a little even when they told her it wouldn�t. Her tummy knotted as she watched. She hated getting poked with the needles. Nadia scooted back just a little. "I don't like this Daddy," she cried. "Do you want to wipe the alcohol tonight?" Nadia reached out and took the cotton swab from him. "Where do you stick me this time Daddy?" she asked in a shaky voice. "Left leg sweetie," he replied as he picked up the syringe. Nadia lifted up her dress and Mark pointed to the spot on her leg. Nadia swiped the alcohol across the little spot on the top of her thigh. "Quick Daddy, before I cry." Nadia closed her eyes tight. Nadia felt a little sting as Mark gave her the injection. "Oww oww oww Daddy hurry," she cried as little tears ran down her cheeks. "All done lil pumpkin," he replied. "All done?" she asked as she opened her eyes wide with surprise. "Do you need me to hold you?" he asked as he put the things back into the kit. Nadia quickly reached out for him. Mark scooped her up and held her for a few minutes, but this time she didn't cry. "Ready to go back and work on your costume now?" he asked as he stood her onto the floor. "Yes, yes, yes," Nadia screeched as they walked out of the kitchen. Mark sent Nadia back to the group of girls and their busy task of getting the costumes all ready for Halloween. A few minutes later he appeared at the door again. "Wendy, can I talk to you out in the hall for a minute?" he asked. All the girls stopped for a minute as they watched her leave the room with her father. Alex quickly looked at her mother. "I hope she isn't in trouble.� "I hope she isn't either Alexandra. Especially since Halloween is just around the corner.� "What is it Daddy?" she asked as they entered the hall. Mark placed his hands on Wendy�s shoulders. "I talked to Nadia about Halloween and her candy. She told me that you talked to her about it and explained to her why she won't be able to eat her candy.� "I know I should have asked you first, but you have been so busy. I figured you wouldn't care.� Mark took his hands off of her shoulders. With his left hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little white box wrapped with a tiny gold ribbon that was tied in a bow. Wendy's eyes opened wide as Mark held it out to her. Mark shook the box slightly "I got this for you for Christmas, but I decided to give it to you now. "You are very special and it couldn't wait.� As Wendy stared at the box, her eyes welled with tears. "It's really for me?" "It is absolutely for you and only for you," Mark replied. Wendy quickly reached for the box. Afraid that it would disappear before she could feel it in her hands. She stared at it for the longest time. She slowly pulled the ribbon end and watched as it unfolded from around the tiny box. She handed the gold ribbon to Mark and then slowly lifted the lid. Wendy stared at what was inside the box. Tears ran down her cheeks as she reached in and pulled the silver bracelet from its hiding place. "Ohhh Daddy, It's just beautiful," she replied as she handed him the box that had contained her gift. She held it with both hands and admired how it sparkled in the light. "Will you help me?" she asked as she undid the clasp and handed the bracelet to him. Mark wrapped the bracelet around her tiny wrist and hooked the clasp. She straightened the bracelet and stared at it afraid that if she looked away or closed her eyes, it would disappear. As she looked closer she could see an inscription. She wiped away the tears and looked a little closer. It said, "To Wendy, Love Daddy" on it. Wendy burst into tear. Everyone in the room was now at the doorway wondering what the commotion was all about. "I don't deserve this," she cried as Mark wrapped his arms around her to comfort her. "You most absolutely do deserve that bracelet. You are a wonderful little girl with a kind heart. I think you deserve it and don't you dare spoil it for me," he replied with a smile. Wendy couldn't help but laugh. Mark reached over and dried her tears with his hand and then handed her the box. "Go finish your costume. I'm dying to see them," he replied as he walked away. When he disappeared around the corner everyone surrounded her to look at her new present. They then returned to their task of designing their Halloween costumes but Wendy was in another world as she sat in the corner of the room admiring her wonderful new bracelet. |
|