Saving Little Jenna by Ruth Kennedy

Chapter 21: Jenna

I couldn't believe it was all happening. I was attending my first wedding. Not just any wedding, but my best friend's wedding. So much could change when you surrounded yourself with the right people.

When they took the stage and said their vows, I imagined myself and Daddy in their places. Michael looked dashing in his tuxedo and there were way too many people than I imagined. Most of them were from the age play club they liked to hang out at. I was promised a tour once they'd return from their honeymoon in Europe.

"By the power vested in me by the state, I pronounce you husband and husband."

Uncle John swept his boy off his feet and gave him a searing kiss on the lips. When it ended, I saw something I never imagined I'd get to see. Pink stained Michael's cheeks as he blushed profusely.

Maybe it was time I followed my own advice I had given Michael, to drop hints that getting married was something I wanted. The trick was to be as subtle as possible.

"They're so stinking cute!" I said to Daddy who was holding my hand and sitting next to me, the smile on his face just as wide as mine. "Do you picture us doing this one day?"

He nodded. "Sooner than you'd think. I don't wait for years when I want something. Your uncle John and I are very different in that regard. You better be prepared with an answer because just when you least expect it, I'll go down on one knee. Meanwhile, you have plenty of time to think about the answer."

I liked the idea of getting married soon too. I couldn't wait to start a family of my own so I could be a far better parent than the ones I had.

"Think about it? The answer is yes, Daddy. It'll always be yes."

Giving him a quick peck on the cheek, I turned to see my five siblings sitting on the other side of me, all dressed up and looking happy.

"You all look so healthy," I said to Miles, who was so close to returning to his healthy weight after spending months locked up in a dark basement. "I'm glad grandma's taking such good care of you."

Just as I'd hoped, the police rescued my siblings and arrested my parents. I didn’t want to see my parents ever again and my siblings felt the same way.

I wished I'd have told Daddy everything sooner. I just hadn't known that law enforcement was so efficient. The cult was closed down and several cases of child endangerment and child neglect were registered. The charges weren't hard to pursue considering most of the children were emaciated. Those that had relatives outside the cult were moved there, while others would spend time in foster care. I hoped they'd all get the needed medical and mental care.

My grandparents whom I'd never met before were more than willing to take in all my siblings. They were so kind and sweet, so different from my parents. Apparently, my parents had cut all contact with them the moment they joined the cult. It was probably Otis' tactic to sever all ties to the outside world.

"We're all coming over tomorrow, by the way," Miles said with a bright smile.

Clark had been kind enough to pay for their therapy sessions and education. He told me what good his money was if he couldn't help people with it. To the long list of charities he generously donated to, he added ones that helped neglected children to the list.

At the wedding reception that night, Michael and John danced a beautifully choreographed dance, which must've taken ages to master. When everyone was dancing, Michael finally introduced me to his friend, Elijah, whom I'd heard so much about since he was Michael’s other close friend. Living in the woods with his pet bears and two Daddies had apparently turned him into a celebrity at the club. When Elijah complimented me that I was so pretty and asked me to join the playdate with Michael next week now that he was back from the woods, I knew another beautiful friendship was being formed.

The next night when Daddy and I were all ready for bed, I brought up that I wanted to work in the movies since I loved them so much. It didn't matter what part of the film industry I worked in. Movies had been such a big part in learning about the outside world, I wanted to do something with it. Daddy suggested I take a course in film, and he would later help get me an internship on a film set.

When it began to drizzle outside, Daddy excused himself and left. I heard the car start so he must've driven over to Michael's place. When he returned fifteen minutes later with a big box in his hand, my curiosity peaked.

"What is it?" I wiggled in the bed when he put it by my feet, still excited for surprises and gifts despite receiving them constantly. "Oh, I hope it's another Barbie set."

I noticed the box wasn't closed, nor was it wrapped. I sat up in bed and leaned over to see the most adorable little puppy scratching its ear. The moment he saw me, he wiggled his little tail and barked a ferocious little bark.

"No way!" My eyes widened and suddenly I was teary-eyed. "It's so freaking tiny and cute!"

Picking it up, I hugged it close to my chest. He looked up at me and licked my chin, stopping and staring at Daddy when he sat next to me.

"Do you like the surprise? You get to name him."

"I love him. I'm gonna name him Puppy, because he's a puppy."

Daddy chuckled. "He's not going to be a puppy forever."

"He will be in my eyes. No matter how old he gets, he'll always be my puppy."

"Dogs are a big responsibility, but I know you're gonna do good. You're so good to your siblings, I know you’re ready for a dog. The way you've looked after them for years is commendable."

When the puppy let out a big yawn, I knew it was time for bed. Picking up the tiny bed from the box, I put it onto the floor and put Puppy in it.

Switching off the lights, I got into bed and cuddled with Daddy. When Puppy soon began to howl and cry, I instantly knew what he needed.

"Aw, you're afraid of the dark just like me?" I said, scooping Puppy off his bed and placing him between us. "Don't you worry, little guy. Daddy taught me that dark basements are nothing to be afraid of, for after darkness there's always light. Everything will be bright and joyful in the morning. Meanwhile, cuddle with your loved ones and you'll feel brave."

"Such a wise girl," Daddy whispered in the dark and gave me a goodnight kiss on the lips. "Love you, sweetheart."

Hearing the word love brought back memories from Michael's wedding as part of their vows, words which held true to us too. Daddy had brought love and joy into my life. As I closed my eyes, I tried to think about when life had turned around for me, from constant suffering to perpetual happiness. The image that popped into my head was of me crying in the parking lot of a supermarket, with a handsome stranger rushing out to help me. He had given me my first warm and loving hug, and things were never the same again. It was the last time I was truly ever scared.

"Love you too, Daddy," I said as I stroked my hand over Puppy's soft fur. "Now and forever, until the end of time."