father/daughter bonding ♡
“Savanna, let’s go. Your father is waiting.” Victoria called down the hall to her youngest. Chevy was outside loading the little girl’s bags into his car while Savvy did her best to stall. She had a bad feeling. Something about her mother leaving didn’t sit right. Spending time with her father was supposed to be an ideal situation, but somehow it wasn’t. She wasn’t used to Victoria going away for an undetermined amount of time. “Can’t I just stay here? I can take care’a the animals.” Savanna tried to negotiate. She had never really been a fan of her father’s house. She loved Chevy, but his parenting methods weren’t like Victoria’s. There were no rules— No structure. It wasn’t uncommon for Savanna to go to bed hungry because Chevy forgot to make her dinner, or for her to go to school without lunch because there was nothing in the house she could pack for herself. He wasn’t a bad father, he just wasn’t used to taking care of a child since Victoria had full custody. “Someone will take care of the animals and I bet you’re gonna have so much fun with your dad that you won’t even notice I’m gone.” Savanna forced a smile but her heart was already aching. She wanted to pass out, vomit, and burst into tears— but she didn’t. She put on a brave face and gave Victoria one last hug and kiss before she joined her dad outside.
Chevy leaned against the side of his car with his hands in his pockets. “Ready, kid?” He asked, but Savanna didn’t respond. She climbed into the back seat with a blank expression on her face. “Why the long face?” Chevy asked Vic when he noticed her apprehensive stare. “We’ll be fine.” He promised before he slid into the driver’s seat and the engine roared to life. “Have fun!” He yelled out the window. His tires squealed and spun out on gravel as they pulled out of the driveway. Savanna still couldn’t shake the sinking feeling she had in the pit of her stomach.
“Wanna get pizza for dinner? You still like pizza, right?” Chevy met his daughter’s gaze through the rearview mirror. “I’m not hungry,” Savvy replied softly. “Well, I can save it for when you are hungry.” He added, but it was obvious Savanna wasn’t in the mood for small talk so they drove the rest of the way in silence.
Once they were home, Chevy turned off the car and walked around to open Savanna’s door. “When your mom told me you’d be stayin’ a while, I thought it might be time to get you a real bed--” Savanna usually slept on a pullout couch when it was Chevy’s weekend with her. He meant to fix up the spare bedroom for her, but something always seemed to come up. “Anyway, It should be here on Monday. Maybe we can pick out some paint too. You can paint the room any color ya want.” Savanna grabbed her own bags. She had some clothes and toys at Chevy’s house, but not enough to last until Vic and Declan came back. “Let me take those.” Chevy offered, but Savvy waved him off. “I can do it.” She struggled under the weight, but she managed to get her belongings inside without help.
“I’m bored.” Savvy frowned. Keeping the little one entertained was something Chevy worried about. He wasn’t creative like Victoria was. He didn’t have an art studio or a barn full of animals. He didn’t know how to cook or bake. He was out of his element. What did little girls play with? Barbie dolls? My Little Ponies? He honestly couldn’t think of anything else she might be interested in. “You can watch tv,” Chevy suggested. He was immediately met with a scowl. “I know-- Why don’t you help me decorate the Christmas tree.” He usually wouldn’t bother with decorations, but having Savanna for Christmas this year changed a few things. Chevy went out that morning and bought a real Douglas Fir, some colorful lights, and a giant box of ornaments. “We can put on a Christmas movie and make hot chocolate. I even bought those mini marshmallows you like.” Savanna looked around the living room as she contemplated what to do. “Okay.” She finally agreed. Chevy was trying. Savvy knew that.
“Why don’t you pick the movie while I whip up a couple’a hot chocolates?” Chevy ruffled his daughter’s hair. Savanna smiled and nodded. “Daddy?” She called before he could disappear into the kitchen. He turned around to look at her. “Am I gonna live here forever now?” She arched a brow. Chevy sighed and shook his head. “No. You’re just gonna stay here for a little while.” He replied simply. He couldn’t tell her how long because he didn’t even know the answer to that. “How do ‘ya know?” Her question confused Chevy enough to make his brown furrow. “DC doesn’t want me ‘ta stay at mommy’s. He said it ain’t no place for’a crotch goblin.” Savanna’s statement made Chevy’s hand close into a fist. “Then he taked mommy away. What if they don’t come back?” It broke his heart to see his little girl so distraught. She was taking this harder than he thought she would. “They’ll be back. I promise. And we’re gonna have all the fun without them. Okay?” Chevy hoped his words were reassuring. He couldn’t be Victoria, but he would do whatever he could to make Savanna feel at home. He would do anything to keep her happy.
[.....TBC]
