When he picked her up she felt like a child again and even more so when he placed her on his lap. He was considerably bigger than she was and her form was dwarfed next to his. She listened to his words but wasn't sure about following his advice. Johnny always smacked her around a little more when she cried to give her a real reason to cry. She was expected to behave perfectly and there was no room for tears in perfection.<br/><br/>It wasn't until he turned her around and the TV was turned off that she was forced to fully acknowledge her emotions. First just her lip quivered and her breath became slightly more ragged. Then she leaned down and buried her face in his chest before the first silent tears fell from her eyes. She cried without really knowing why she was crying. It wasn't for Johnny, fear of Jake, or even fear for her parents. She cried simply because she could. Her entire body shivered and shook within his grasp as she clutched his hoodie and reveled in his warmth.