"Daddy can be your superhero, baby. Always to the rescue and ready to help."
Dario gazed lovingly at his little as she played in their yard. The chatter and laughter of his men inside the house was the only background noise. It was peaceful and quiet, a nice Saturday morning.
He noticed that Madie was feeling better than she did yesterday. She woke up all cuddly and a smile on her face, blushing whenever he smiled at her. He guessed that yesterday was only a bad day for her, and being naughty was her way of coping.
He fixed that immediately though, and he made sure that there were no bruises that will form in her soft bottom. Making sure that he placed an ice pack before breakfast, they had a meal full of laughter and giggles when they left their room.
Now, she was full of energy and running around looking for a butterfly. He was also sure that he heard her imitating a dog's bark when she saw a squirrel.
With
"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.""I want kissies, Daddy!"Dario blinked. Once, twice. Thrice. Registering his sweetheart’s words in his mind.It might seem silly, like a silly idea from a child, but coming from Madie's lips, it made his heart skip like a broken record. His breath hitched.He thought it was a big problem, where Madie's mind was frightened of their relationship and would back out, but it wasn't. It was far from it.She wanted to kiss. Akiss.Dario couldn't stop himself from chuckling, a deep chuckle that resonated in their room. "Oh, baby..."He grabbed hold of her hands and lifted, kissing her knuckles while staring deeply into her eyes. "My sweet, sweet baby.""That's... that's my problem, Daddy." she mumbled, a blush forming on her cheeks with his kiss."If you wanted to, you c
"For love, I'd do anything.For you, I'd do even more.""She was already adopted."Dario's forehead creased in confusion.It didn't make sense. His Madie wasn't adopted, there wasn't any documents regarding whatever adoption that took place.Standing up from his chair, he grabbed whatever Neil and Adon had in their hands and scanned through it. It was a single-page document that stated, indeed, that 'Madeline' has been adopted.By who or when, it didn't say."What the fuck?" he spoke, his voice low and raspy. The two other men knew that he was now pissed."How the fuck did we not know that? And who the hell adopted Madie secretly?" he asked, his burning eyes trained on Adon, since he was in charge of investigating the orphanage and everyone in it."That's the thing. I went through everything there could possibly in the orphanage, every nook and cranny, but there wasn't an
"Love is as sweet as your voice when you wake up in the morning by my side. Love is when you hold me in your arms. Love... is you.""Madie." Dario reprimanded as Madeline ran off of the car, towards the fast food place that they went to. They were about to have lunch. "Wait for me, sweetheart."They came from the hospital for Madeline's check-up. He had called for a full check-up to make sure Madeline was healthy. It was easy for him, since the Doctor worked for him and knew who he was.They had to take a few minutes in the waiting area when they arrived at 9AM. He had to remind her to be a good girl and go easy on the kicking, even if she was scared. He was nervous, since he woke her up early to prepare her and they only ate little for breakfast.He prepared himself just in case she threw a tantrum."You have to be brave, baby." he told her, holding her hands in his. He was kneeling in one knee while his Madie
"I want your happiness because you deserve it. I want you to be happy, because it's the way you were always meant to be."Dario drove past the traffic in the highway as he headed home. He just finished all the work he had to do at a coast site and fixed delivery dates of their outgoing paraphernalia.His right hand clutched the steering wheel as the other held a cigarette over the window, the smoke blowing past him as he stepped on the gas. All the work wore him off and all he wanted to do was to cuddle with his little girl all day.He remembered the movies and games they played earlier in the TV room, with Madie stuck to his side all the while. He thought her how to play Uno, dice games, and even Monopoly. She didn't quite understand, but it wasn't hard pretending to lose the game, so she'd become happy in winning.Her smile and giggle were the only reward he needed.Aside from that, they binge watched Disney
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey.You never know, dear, how much I love you.I'm not going to let anyone take you away."Shit.That was what the voice in Dario's head repeated over and over as he stepped near his frowning baby. She was still hugging Ellie, but the smile in her face was long gone. Her beautiful lips were in a frown as she turned, stepping away from him.Shit."I'm sorry, baby. Daddy got so busy and drove fast so he can see you soon." he explained, chasing after her to the kitchen. There he saw her plate, almost empty. All that was left twas a few pieces of vegetables scattered around, as if played with.He didn't even think of scolding her. It was him who fucked up tonight."I missed you so much that I drove home too fast, baby. I'm so sorry." it was a good fucking
"Together is my favorite place with you, baby."Dario made sure Madie had everything she needed in her backpack. Extra water, her towel, an extra phone for him to track her just in case, her snacks, and of course Ellie. Her stuffy was ties to the strap of the bag, a long ribbon, so it won't drop whenever Madie let's go of her.It was nine in the morning, and the car was waiting for them by the entrance of the estate.They were going to a trip to an ocean and wildlife park just hours away. They had special performances by ocean animals and had many of them kept and care of for people to see. He knew Madie would love the experience, and absolutely adore the animals she'll see.It was, after all, her first time. And he made sure that she'll experience everything, and it will be perfect."I'm ready, Daddy!" Madie excitedly told him as she walked out of their bathroom, with her purple sweater and comfo
"A spoiled brat should be punished for not listening to her Daddy. Now bend, baby girl.""I said strip, girl."Madeline's bottom lip continued to stick out as she pouted. She had her arms crossed in her chest as she frowned at her daddy.She had no intention of listening to him."Don't wait for me to come and force you to strip, Madeline." he warned, voice still a tad angry. He was finished cleaning the section of the counter where she'll be placed. "Do it yourself."Her pout deepened as tears pooled in her eyes. Why was her Daddy so mad? She was just telling him that she didn't want to come home.Everything here was so pretty and magical and she didn't want to leave. When else would she get the chance to have a sleepover with dolphins and fishies? She wanted to have a slumber party under the big aquariums and just stare at the sea creatures as they swam and danced in the water.She wanted to st
"Just remember, that whatever happens, I'll always be with you baby girl. Always."Dario woke up, feeling a weight on top of his chest as his eyes opened. The room was dark due to the curtains, legs tossed and tangled through the sheets. His bare upper body didn't mind the cold, especially because the person on top of him provided endless supply of warmth.The cause of the weight on top of him was his sweet girl.Madeline was adorably sleeping, face snuggled comfortably on his neck as her body rested on top of his. Soft snores came out of her mouth, making him chuckle, and the light dribble of her drool was cold on his neck.She was adorable.He stayed like that for a few minutes, seeing that it was past lunch and that they missed both breakfast and lunch. He didn't bother getting up or moving.Might as well enjoy the comfort of Madie.It was when he heard a knock on their door that his sweet sm
"Baby, you're the reason I live and the reason that I die. You're the reason that I smile yet break down and cry. You're the reason that I keep going and the reason why I fall. Because without you in my life, I'm nothing at all."The screams and squeals of excitement flooded in Madeline's ears as she looked around. Everyone had someone with them.Some were having their lunch in some food stalls, and some were lining up in line for the rides.The screams were from the people who were riding the roller coaster, some on towers and some on fast-spinning carousels. She could also smell the fragrance of delicious food in the air, as well as the sweet smell of desserts that were given out to the kids, and adults too.On her right, she could see the swans on the water with people aboard. They were taking pictures with smiles on their faces, together with their kids and other family.Madie couldn't help bu
"If giving my everything is what it takes, I won't hesitate. Not even for a second. That's what it means to have something you'd give your life to save."Ivan's thoughts stopped, as if the words that came from his Father's mouth was far-fetched, almost unimaginable.He couldn't help but laugh. Really, when it comes to being an asshole, he couldn't deny that he got that from his father.Looking down on the child that was in front of him, he couldn't help but wonder how undeniably pretty she was. Fair skin, blonde hair, green eyes."What's her name?" he asked, eyes staring deeply at the trembling child standing in front of him. He meant the question for his father who was smoking a cigar just by his leather couch, but the little thing answered him instead."M-Madeline, S-Sir." the eight-year-old answered, avoiding his eyes as much as she could. She answered her ques
"I'd rather drain every vein in my body than to watch you cry painful tears. I'd spare you tears for the rest of your life if I could. I'd take your pain and trauma away. I'd make you forget so you can be happy once more.""What's wrong?" Madie asked, head tilted to the side as she stared at Neil. Why was he standing by the door like that?What if someone was coming in and he was blocking the way?She was about to ask him again when she saw the foot by the door. Huh?Her confusion worsened as she stared, talking a few steps forward to see if someone left a mannequin by the women's comfort room.But of course not, this wasn't a department store. This was an airport, why would a mannequin be here?It felt like her heart stopped when she reached the middle part of the body that was lying down on the floor.Blood.
"If anything ever happened to you... I wouldn't know what to do. I'd be lost. My heart would be gone together with you."Dario stood staring as he watched the people in black come and go. It was a big ceremony, proper for a man who handled a big organization.It was his father's funeral."My condolences." one old man told him, shaking his hand as Dario stood by the door to welcome the people. More followed him, some strangers and some familiar.To be honest, he wanted to be anywhere than here.He sighed, eyes looking everywhere to find someone who can replace him. Anyone.'Right.' he thought. He was the heir. He was the one who'll take care of everything his father left. The next boss.The funeral passed and most of the people were gone before the sunset. One by one, they left with a nod to him. The only family member who was there for th
"A very small degree of betrayal is sufficient to cause the death of trust."Dario stormed into their house, nerves jumping as he realized that there was nobody anywhere.The moment he drove the car to the garage, he was already in fear as to why no one was outside.Where were the guards? Why weren't they at their posts?The worst started to come into his mind as he ran inside, screaming for Madie as he did so, his eyes furiously searching for him."Madie!" he screamed for her, opening the doors at the first floor of the safe house to find her. Nothing was missing, nothing was messed up and it didn't look like anyone barged it. Their luggage was still there untouched where it was before he left. "Baby!"The thought of Ivan getting to Madie and hurting her made him catch his breath. He couldn't take it.He made it to the second floor when he heard Adon's car in the driveway. They were
"Truth hurts. Doubt ruins. Lie destroys.""What is it?" Dario asked as soon as Eliana picked up the call."D..." she spoke, her voice coming in quiet yet clear via phone. "I-I know it's not the best time, and I know it's late but-""What's the matter, Eli?" he asked, looking back at his baby girl's sleeping form. He had to be quiet or else he'd wake her."Madeline... the first time I came to visit, the first time you introduced her, and I heard her name- it seemed familiar, like I heard it before."Dario's brows furrowed at her words. He didn't understand.How could Eliana know who Madeline was when she was seven?"And when Neil called me to tell me about the ambush at the port... it confirmed everything I was thinking of. He told me about Manuel."He remembered Neil telling him that they did in fact talk, Eliana and him.
"See, betrayal... you know that it will never come from your enemies.""You gonna go now?" Madie asked as she watched her Daddy leave some of his things by the passenger seat of his car, loading them and starting the car before walking over to her and cuddling."Yeah, baby. Daddy needs to go now." he answered as he left a small peck on her forehead.They were in each other's arms, with Dario's wrapped around her tiny waist and moving slightly side to side, causing them to sway.They were in their own magical world."And-and we'll go to ride the airplane later?" she asked again, still looking up to him. Her Daddy was tall, and she had to crane her neck very much to see him properly.She forgot to ask if they had giant gene in their family.Dario chuckled before nodding at her question. "Yeah, baby. And then we'll go to Hawaii, and then we'll have a house near the beach, and then we can swim and pla
"I swear I couldn't love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow.""Shh..." Dario whispered into Madie's ears as his hands did its work. "I got you, baby. Daddy's got you."His kisses deepened on her lips, more breath taking than ever.They were long gone the cool air outside, the warmth of their room enveloping them as their bodies stayed together.Carrying her in his arms was easy and light, as it ever was. Their lips and bodies stayed interlocked as he walked them both inside and to their room, easily avoiding the guards in their post just by the hallway.They knew not to look, but if they did, they he'd have to gauge their eyes out.Minutes in their room and Dario had his shirt off, whispering sweet words to Madeline as he took hers off her body. Slowly, sweetly, gently.Each inch of clothing he took off her body, he replaced with a gentle kiss. His lips touched her body
"I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.""Are you going to be okay?" Eliana asked Dario who was seated beside her.He had his laptop by him, working.His baby girl was running around being chased by Chase, Eliana's pet hound that she brought with her when she came. Madie had both Ellie and a ball in her hands, tossing the ball playing fetch with the giddy hound.Dario was glad that the hound brought happiness to her.Trees surrounded the safe house; the only water source was the fountain where the Finnish Hound was drinking from. It was cozy, and the weather was warm. They were far from the city, far from danger. The fresh breeze and the shade from the trees made it cool even with the sun's heat.The sunshine was defeated by the rays of smile that Madie gave them whenever she would wave over.It wasn't easy maintaining the good ambiance of the place. Madie repeatedly a