Like Father Like Daughter
By G-X9k Literature
Written in 2020

Chapter 2: Stacy's First Words

After getting Stacy and her rags cleaned up and dried, Jason decided to pay a visit to the kitchen to see how dinner was coming along. He felt happy knowing that he'd at least be able to get something in the child's empty starving belly so he set out some plates. He made some curry and rice for the child and he did his best to remember not to make it spicy at all. When it was ready he dished out some for her and some for him. He made enough in case Stacy wanted to go for seconds or thirds. After dishing out the food he got himself a fork and for her a tea spoon.

"Okay, food's done and there's more in case the kid's stomach isn't satisfied and Shade is asleep so he shouldn't be bugging us while we eat. Good, good." He said to himself before he felt something tugging on his pants leg. When Jason looked down to see what was tugging it he saw a curious Stacy who wanted him to pick her up again. Jason happily obliged and picked up the child before sitting down with her. She looked at the food with much curiosity before she turned her head to face Jason who said, "Its food."

Stacy tilted her head before Jason sighed realising that Stacy probably didn't know what the word meant. He figured that once he was done with the feeding her part he should get to the teaching her portion.

Realising that Stacy didn't know how to eat with a utensil Jason chose to grab the tea spoon to scoop up as much food as it could take before he got her to open her mouth. "Okay, here comes the airplane." He said as he brought the spoon closer to her mouth. Her mouth opened wider before he gently put the spoon and it's contents inside it.

While the spoon was in her mouth, Stacy tasted the food and smiled before her care taker tugged at the spoon which signified her to open her mouth. As soon as she did so he pulled the spoon out before she closed  her mouth and began to chew her food. Once the food was chewed up she swallowed it and held her mouth open for more. Of course Jason picked up on this and chose to repeat the process with her until the plate was completely empty. She was so happy that she got to eat again and that the food tasted so good.

Yes, after eating her first meal Stacy's eyes caught sight of Jason's cat, Shade who had just woken up. She was instantly drawn to the cat who kept staring at her with its slitted eyes. While the cat chose to keep its guard up with the unknown intruder, Stacy climbed off of Jason and walked toward the cat and stared at it as it did the same. The young girl then raised her hand before slowly reaching out to Shade. Her hand was on top of the cat's head which had confused the cat. She simply smiled before giggling and gently rubbing the top of Shade's soft, smooth and furry head.

A small blush appeared on Stacy's cheeks as she continued to giggle. She loved the fun she was having with the cat and the cat chose to lower it's guard so that it could receive love from the young child. After Stacy's arm grew tired of petting Shade she decided to bring up her other arm to reach out to Shade. Once she had don't so she picked up the cat with both her arms and pulled it closer so that she could hug him and as she did so Shade began to pur as he closed his eyes.

Excited Stacy turned around to see a smiling Jason who was staring at her and the cat. She saw tears escape his eyes and quickly began to grow worried for the grown man. Jason saw that look and walked up to her. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked Stacy who was still looking at him. She let go of Shade who gracefully landed on all fours before she reached out for his eyes and in that instant Jason knew what had upsetted Stacy. His tears. She thought he was sad and that made her sad as well.

"Easy there Stacy, I'm okay. See these tears? They're tears of joy. It means I'm happy. You're making me happy." He said with a smile before hugging her. Still feeling sad, Stacy chose to hug him back as tightly as her little arms could. During the hug Jason scooped up the little girl once more before taking out his phone.

As he scrolled through his contacts he wondered what he would do about his little situation regarding Stacy. Sure he wanted to take care of her but long term, how was he going to get everything done and how was he going to be sure he would do it right? He had no idea of knowing so he chose to call the one person he was loathed to calling. His mother.

As the phone was ringing his face contorted into one of regret and humiliation followed by irritation. Suddenly after fifteen seconds of waiting his mother picked up.

So, what do you want?

"Wow Cassandra, nice to know you missed me."

Watch it. Now tell me why in the hell you decided to call me.

"Raising me, what was it like?"

Raising you? Man you were such a bitchy nightmare. I regretted having a disappointment like you.

"Mother of the year... ugh, how did you raise me. Taking care of me and stuff. You know? Being a parent?" Jason asked his mother with his tone growing more and more aggravated as the call went on.

Why are you asking me this?

"Ugh, nevermind. Calling you was a mistake and I hope you die in a car crash!" Jason yelled before hanging up the phone. He then turned his head to Stacy who was trying to get out of his hold on her. She was scared. She thought he was lashing out on her and she didn't want to get hurt.

"Hey, hey, it's okay Stacy. It's just someone who I shouldn't have called. I'm not gonna hurt you." Jason said as he tried coaxing the child into calming down. As she heard the way he spoke to her she stopped squirming but still averted her eyes from his now saddened face. "Great, call the one person who was never there for you to get advice on raising a kid, I can't believe I made a mistake as dumb as that." He muttered to himself before he walked to his room and put Stacy down. "Look, I'm gonna get your blankie so for the meanwhile, stay in bed and and try to get some sleep. Don't touch anything okay kid?"

She didn't understand him as he tucked her in bed but it still made him feel better by pretending that she could. Once he was done he got up and left the room, taking one last look at her before closing the door. He then left his apartment and chose to go down to the laundry room to get the child's pink blanket. Little did he know Stacy was slowly beginning to understand him. While he went to retrieve the child's blanket, she went to sleep with a small smile on her cute little face.

About ten minutes later Jason quietly came back into the apartment and went to his room. When he got there he saw Stacy sleeping peacefully on his bed and Shade was sleeping next to her. This warmed up his heart as he looked at how peaceful the girl looked. "I'll just show it to her when she wakes up." He then walked slowly to the other side of the bed and got in, holding her tiny body close to his giving both of them a feeling of comfort.

Before they both knew it night time had already arrived and Stacy was the first to wake up. She found herself wrapped up in Jason's arms. The little girl found herself staring at his peaceful face and smiled when she looked at him. She twisted around in his arms and saw her favorite possession, her little pink blanket. It was within her reach so she quickly grabbed it and held it tightly in her tiny little arms. Unknown to her Jason woke up from her hasty shifting and smiled at her. "Hi."

Stacy was startled from the sudden noise and tried to scurry out of Jason's arms but he held her close saying, "It's okay Stacy. It's okay." He coaxed her into calming down which she did after a minute of struggling. "It's okay Stacy. You don't need to worry now. You're safe now."

"Safe." Stacy said shocking Jason. "Safe now. Safe."

"Stacy... you just spoke..." Jason said baffled to which Stacy imitated once more. "Spoke. Stacy spoke."

"Yeah, you just spoke Stacy. Oh my God this is so amazing." Jason said hugging Stacy tightly. "Amazing." Stacy said once more.

"Yes. Amazing. You're amazing Stacy." Tears escaped his joyful eyes. "You're amazing."

Like Father Like Daughter
Chapter 2: Complete