Three daddies help their little girl overcome grief

Sam knocks on the door, worried since you haven't been down to eat in a while. "Hey, blue hedgie, are you in there? You haven't left your room all day," he says, opening the door. He finds you in bed with dirty pajamas, staring blankly at the wall.

"Baby girl," he says, rushing over to you. "It's OK. Your daddies are going to take care of you."

He pats your head as he calls out for his friends who are just as invested in you as he is. Jessie and Rob walk in, going to your bedside, noticing your dirty pajamas and unwashed hair.

"When's the last time you bathed or had food, sweet pea?" Jessie says, kneeling by the bed, checking on you.

Rob looks over you. "You haven't been taking care of yourself, short-stack," he comments, unhappy but unwilling to discipline due to your mental health.

Sam mouths to them over your head, "We need to enact our plan."

"Shh, it's okay," Sam says as he holds you close. "Daddy's here for you. You don't have to be strong all the time." He strokes your hair and kisses your forehead. You feel his warmth, his heartbeat, his scent, and you start to feel safe.

Sam holds you tighter, rocking back and forth with you. "It's okay, baby girl," he murmurs into your hair. "Let it out. Daddy's got you." He rubs your back in soothing circles as you cry against his chest. You feel comforted by his presence and the warmth of his embrace.

The tears only seem to get worse when Sam's friends arrive. Jessie and Rob both look a little uncomfortable, but they know how close you and Sam have become over the past year or so. So, being supportive members of team "Sam", they decide not intervene for now; after all, it is what Emma needs right now that matters most: these tender moments with her surrogate daddy.

Rob touches your back lightly, offering silent words of sympathy through his gesture alone while Jessie takes refuge next to Sam as he holds onto his shaking daughter tightly during this difficult time.

Your tears have tapered off. Now you're quietly sniffling. Sam rubs your back again, gently brushing his hand up and down to soothe you. "It's okay, sweetie. You can cry whenever you need to," he whispers into the hair above your ear. Your sobbing subsides as their gentle touches restore some sense of comfort in these dark times without a mother.

Rob takes this opportunity to place his hand atop Jessie's on the backrest; they nod subtly at each other, knowing that it is going to take something more than just words for Emma to find happiness again.

"Good girl," Sam whispers, ruffling your hair affectionately. "Daddy's so proud of you for being strong today." He lets out an almost inaudible sigh before leaning back and shifting his gaze towards his two friends with a solemn look on his face.

Hearing her stepfather's reassuring voice, Emma instinctively shuts her eyes and finds some peace in the darkness that washes over her. Her hands clasp onto Sam's shirt tightly for a few moments before eventually releasing their grip slowly – symbolizing her acceptance of what has happened and trust in him for support during this heartrending time without mommy.

Sam can feel your breathing steadying and he pulls back slightly to look at you. "You're doing so well, baby girl," he says, giving your hand a gentle squeeze. "We're all here for you. Always." His tone is reassuring, and it strengthens the bond between you even further.

"You're very welcome," Sam replies, giving Emma another squeeze before releasing her hand. Rob and Jessie exchange looks, both knowing how much this small gesture means to the girl who lost everything so suddenly. They know that it's going to take time for Emma to heal but with Daddy by her side every step of the way, they have faith in the power of love conquering hardships.

Sam looks at Emma's soiled clothing and decides to take the lead. "Let's get you cleaned up, baby girl," he says, getting up from the bed. "Rob, can you grab some towels and bring them into the bathroom?" Rob nods and heads out of the room.

Sam helps Emma off the bed, leading her towards the bathroom with a supportive hand on her back. "You'll feel better after a shower," he adds with a warm smile.

Sam helps you toward the bathroom, guiding you around furniture and other obstacles. You're shaky and weak from the emotional outburst, and he's careful with his touch. As soon as you're in the bathroom, he turns on the water to a warm temperature, letting the showerhead run while he helps you out of your clothes.

Rob returns with several fluffy towels, setting them down on the counter before shutting the door. "Anything else you want, boss?" he asks Sam.

"Actually, yeah," Sam says, turning to Emma with a tender smile. "Would you be okay with me staying in here while you shower? I don't want to leave you alone if you're not feeling well."

Sam notices your shaky movements and decides to take over. He wraps an arm around your waist, supporting you as he guides your steps and slowly helps lower yourself into the warm shower. The gush of water seems to relax your body, washing away the grief from earlier slowly but surely.

Rob turns his head away out of respect for their little girl's privacy. Jessie moves closer but remains silent, giving Sam all the space he needs with Emma during this delicate time.

"You're welcome, baby," Sam replies, his voice soft and soothing. "Just relax and let the water help you feel better. We'll be here if you need us." He glances over at Jessie and Rob, who nod in agreement.

With gentle kindness, Sam gets a washcloth and some soap, rubbing your back and legs in order to clean you completely. You slowly start to feel refreshed as the dirt and grime of the day is washed away, replaced by the feeling of cleanliness.

Rob extends his hand out to Emma as she finishes showering with Sam's help. Emma grasps Rob's hand, steadying herself as they step out of the shower together.

Sam quickly wraps one of the towels around Emma's shoulders, pushing a stray lock of hair back from her face. "How are you feeling, baby girl?" he asks with concern in his voice.

"That's good," Sam replies, guiding Emma to sit down on the edge of the tub. "We knew this would be hard for you, but we're here with you every step of the way."

Rob stands close by, watching closely as he spreads some of the fluffy towels out on the counter nearby. Jessie accompanies them both in standing guard outside, making sure nothing interrupts father and daughter alone time together in vulnerability.

Feeling the heaviness of her grief, Emma rests her head on Sam's shoulder as he and Rob take care of her. She feels safe and loved, surrounded by the strong men willing to help her navigate her difficult emotions.

Without saying a word, Sam and Rob continue drying Emma off with the towels, working together to make sure she's completely dry. Sam then wraps a big, fluffy towel around her, wiping her hair dry with another towel before handing it back to Rob.

Sam notices the small smile on Emma's face and returns it with one of his own. He knows how much this gesture means to her, especially after such a rough day. Rob also looks at her, seeing that faint smile fill all the corners of her face.

"Baby girl," Sam starts, "You're looking so much better already." Emphasizing his point, he gently brushes a loose strand of hair back behind her ear as he caresses her cheek affectionately. "We knew you could do it," Rob adds in encouragement.

Sam and Rob continue to offer words of comfort and affection, knowing that their little girl needs it now more than ever. They stand by her side, offering her a supportive shoulder to cry on and unconditional love.

As the moment lingers, it becomes apparent that it's time to move on to the next steps in helping Emma process her grief. "Okay, baby girl?" Sam says gently. "We need to get you into some clean clothes."

"Good girl," Sam says, leading Emma out of the bathroom with Rob following close behind. They all head back into the bedroom, where a fresh set of clothes has been laid out for Emma.

Rob and Jessie stand by in a respectful distance as Sam helps canvas your body with new clothing. The clean fabric feels good against your skin, and for the first time since your mother's passing, you begin to feel some sense of normalcy returning.

"All right," Sam says after he has finished putting on your clothes, "Let's get you something to eat."

As Emma's stomach protests with a loud gurgle, Sam chuckles softly and pats her stomach affectionately. "Hungry, baby girl? I'm thinking we could get some Chinese food delivered."

Rob and Jessie nod their heads in agreement, offering to go out and pick up the food themselves if it helps Emma feel more comfortable. They are ready to do anything to support and help her during this trying time.

Sam leans down to look at Emma in the eyes, "What do you want, hun?"

"Good choice," Sam replies, giving Emma a smile. He then turns to the others, "Who's going to go order our dinner?"

Rob and Jessie exchange a brief glance before nodding at once in agreement. With a quick wave goodbye from Emma, they leave the room to place the orders for their delicious meal.

Sam looks back at Emma and returns her smile warmly, happy to see her feeling a bit more at ease now. "You don't need to thank us, baby girl," he says softly. "We're always here for you, no matter what."

A few moments later, there's a knock at the door and the delicious aroma of Chinese food wafts through the air. "I'll go answer that," Sam says with a grin, getting up from the bed and heading toward the door.

With Rob and Jessie helping to set the table and organize the meal, Emma watches them quietly, feeling grateful for their support and kindness. She takes comfort in their presence, knowing that they will be there for her during the days and weeks ahead.

As the meal finishes, Emma finds herself starting to feel tired despite not having done much for the rest of the day. She yawns quietly, listening to the sound of her step-father and his friends bantering.

Noticing your yawn, Sam stands up from his seat and moves over to you with concern, putting his hand on your forehead to feel for a fever. "You feeling okay, baby girl? Do you want me to help you back to bed?" he queries, knowing that your grief and emotions can easily drain you of energy.

Rob and Jessie stop their banter once they notice Sam's concern for their little girl. They too stand up, redirecting their focus towards Emma, ready to support her in any way they can.

Sam nods his head in understanding as he helps Emma out of her chair. "Of course, baby girl. We'll help you to bed," he says in a gentle voice.

Rob and Jessie immediately step forward at once, moving to help Sam support Emma back to her bed. They know that she needs rest and time to process her emotions. As the three men guide her to her bed, they make sure to cover her with a warm blanket and tuck her in, making sure she's comfortable.

"We'll be outside if you need us," Sam says quietly, placing a soft kiss on Emma's forehead. "Just rest, okay baby girl?"

With a warm smile, Sam nods his head in acceptance of Emma's need to rest and succumbs to the comforting embrace of her sleep.

Rob and Jessie retreat quietly, giving Sam some privacy as he stands close by watching over her. They wait outside Emma's room until they see that she has completely fallen asleep under their watchful eyes before leaving for another room within the house.

Sam smiles a little more broadly now, feeling a sense of relief about how well things are progressing. He knows it will still take time for Emma to fully recover but being part of her journey gives him joy and purpose.

The men gather together in a quiet room, discussing the best way to help Emma in her time of need while also preparing for the future. As they talk, they consider ways to involve Emma in their regular activities, slowly bringing her closer to them and building her trust.

"I think we should start by treating her like our little girl," Sam suggests. "We could take care of her more personally, making sure she's comfortable and happy."

Jessie nods in agreement, adding that they can incorporate gentle discipline into their routine as well. Emma needs structure and boundaries after losing her mother. "And perhaps we could play some games or teach her how to cook." He proposes with a smile.

Rob chimes in, agreeing with the other two. "That sounds perfect! I think it'll help break up the monotony and give us all something to do together."

"Also," he continues, "I was thinking we could start a journal for Emma. That way we can record our thoughts and progress so we don't forget anything important."

Jessie smiles at his idea. "It would be great if she writes down her feelings as well. It might even help her express herself better."

Sam nods enthusiastically at their words, looking forward to incorporating these activities into their days ahead.

The three men continue to discuss how they will train Emma, arming themselves with patience and understanding for what will surely be a bumpy journey. They agree that it is important to take things slowly, allowing her the space she needs while also pushing the boundaries of their nurturing environment bit by bit.

Rob pulls out his phone, quickly setting up a task list on it so they can stay organized. "Emma's training should start now," he states somewhat solemnly. "We shouldn't delay matters even if we have to go slow."

Jessie nods his head in agreement, glancing at Sam who gives him a thoughtful look back before they all get back into their discussion about specific ideas to implement.

As Emma stirs awake, Sam is immediately by her side checking up on her. "Good afternoon, baby girl," he greets, a smile tugging at his lips. "How do you feel?"

Rob and Jessie both stand in the corner of the room, but quickly take notice when they hear Emma stirring. They give her a quick wave of recognition, but remain respectful of her personal space.

"I feel better, thank you," Emma replies softly, still feeling somewhat groggy from her nap.

"Good," Sam says with a nod, standing up and moving over to the bed side. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?" he inquires, concerned for her well-being.

Jessie and Rob both watch carefully from a distance, happy to see Emma looking better after her nap. They recognize that she'll need as much care and attention as they can give her in the coming weeks as they continue to train her.

Sam's eyes light up with joy, glad to see that Emma is starting to feel more like herself again.

"Alright, baby girl," he says kindly, reaching out his hand and helping her sit up in bed. "How about we go to the kitchen? I'm sure there will be something you can eat, now that your stomach seems to be feeling better."

With a soft squeeze of reassurance, Sam helps Emma swing her feet out of bed and onto the floor. Already dressed from when they brought her food earlier that afternoon, she seems almost back to normal.

As if on cue, Jessie and Rob appear from around the corner, quick to offer any assistance they could give. Sure, it had only been a matter of days since Emma lost her mother but these were hard times indeed. The three men knew all too well what grief could do to a person; both physically and mentally. Without another word, they all walked towards the kitchen ready to do anything for their little girl.