"Abigail?" Steve called as he walked onto the porch. "Hey... Abby?" Then he noticed her sitting on the steps.
"Hey." He said as he sat down next to her. "How's my favorite niece?"
Abby laughed. "I'm your only niece, Uncle Steve!"
"Well, then it's a good thing that you're my favorite!" Steve laughed.
"So..." Steve said, after a few minutes of silence. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"
"Nothing." Abby replied.
"You know, your momma is really worried about you." Steve said.
"I know..." Abby said softly.
"If something is bothering you, we can talk about it." Steve put his arm around Abby. "I promise to keep it just between us. Does it have to do with your daddy?"
Abby looked down at her shoes.
"It does, doesn't it?" Steve asked.
Abby's eyes filled with tears. "I-I'm afraid of him!"
Steve smiled sadly, hating to see his niece in so much pain. He pulled her toward him and let her cry on his shoulder. "I know... I know..." he said.
Finally Abby sat up.
"Are you mad at me, Uncle Steve?"
"Oh, Honey. Of course not." Steve said as he gently stroked Abby's hair.
"I-I don't want Daddy to hurt me like he hurt Aunt Kayla."
Steve's heart ached, just hearing the words. He put his arms around Abby and held her tightly. "Baby, that's not going to happen. Your daddy loves you so much."
"B-but he hurt Aunt Kayla." Abby said. "H-he raped her."
Steve's throat went dry, remembering the day that he and Kayla discussed the same subject with Stephanie.
"Do you know what rape is, Honey?" He asked.
Abby nodded. "Dr. Baker told me. Why would Daddy do that?"
Steve wasn't sure how to answer. "Well, sometimes people get angry and they do things to hurt other people. Sometimes they do very bad things if they are angry and your daddy was mad at your Aunt Kayla and I."
"He was mad at you?" Abby asked, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Well, we were mad at each other for a really long time. Your daddy and I didn't even like each other at first."
"Really?" Abby said. "But you do now."
Steve smiled. "Yeah, we like each other now. And I know that your daddy would never hurt anyone. Especially you and your momma."
"That's what Dr. Baker told me." Abby said.
"Dr. Baker was right." Steve said.
"I-I'm sorry, Uncle Steve!" Abby said.
"Sorry for what, Hon?" Steve asked.
"F-for being afraid of Daddy. I love him so much." Abby said, starting to cry again.
Steve held Abby close to him. "Shhh. That's enough of that, now. Your daddy knows that you love him, okay?"
"W-will he be mad at me?" Abby asked.
"No, Honey. Your daddy was worried about you, just like your momma. But I know what would make him really happy."
Abby's face brightened. "What, Uncle Steve?"
"A big hug and a kiss from his little Princess."
"I can do that!"
"Ahh... said Steve, brushing his hand against Abby's cheek. "That's what I like to see. That beautiful smile." He stood and took her hand. "Come on, let's go back inside."
