Sunny couldn't rightly explain what that did to her heart other than make it twist and flutter at the same time in this weird little way. Pity? Empathy? She did know what trying to get an indifferent father to look at you was like. Relief?

Whatever it was, she had to hug him. Right now.

Almost automatically she turned the stove off again just to be sure the oil wouldn't burn while she wasn't paying attention and crossed back over to him. Her hand on his shoulder was something of a warning as he seemed to do better about her being affectionate when it was at least somewhat expected. Then, carefully, she hugged him from behind, wrapping her arms around his belly and pressing herself against his back.