Greg felt an overwhelming mix of emotions as McKenzie carefully carried him upstairs. The stability of her hand was a small comfort, a stark contrast to the jarring movements he had experienced with Madison. But the reality of his situation was still hard to grasp—he was no longer the head of the household, no longer the ruler of his own kingdom. In this new world, he was at the bottom of the pecking order, with McKenzie holding the power, followed closely by Madison.
As McKenzie entered her bedroom and closed the door behind her, she sat down on her bed, her gaze fixed on her miniature father. The surreal nature of the situation wasn’t lost on her. The man who had once been her protector, who had taught her to ride a bike and comforted her when she fell, was now in need of her care. The shift in their roles was profound, and it left McKenzie feeling a strange mix of responsibility and sorrow.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’m here,” McKenzie said softly, her voice filled with compassion. She could only imagine what her father must be going through, how disorienting and humiliating it must feel for him. She wanted to ease his burden, to remind him that he still had a place in this new order, even if it wasn’t the one he had always known.
“I’m going to need your help still,” she continued, hoping to give him a sense of purpose. “Keeping the budget in check and understanding what the bills are for the house—it’s a lot to manage.”
McKenzie had already taken it upon herself to look through the credit card and bank statements, getting a handle on the monthly deductions and bills. She was more than capable of managing things on her own, but she knew how important it was for her father to feel useful, to feel like he was still contributing. By involving him in these tasks, she hoped to provide him with a sense of normalcy, a way to maintain some dignity in a world that had turned upside down.
Greg looked up at his daughter, appreciating her kindness and understanding. The thought of being reduced to a mere Little, of losing all the authority and independence he had once taken for granted, was a bitter pill to swallow. But McKenzie’s words offered a small glimmer of hope. Maybe, in this new reality, he could still play a role, still be of value to his family, even if it was in a different way.
“Thank you, McKenzie,” Greg said, his voice small but sincere. “I’ll do my best to help out. It means a lot that you still need me.”
McKenzie smiled softly, relieved that her father was willing to accept the role she was offering him. She gently placed him on the bed beside her, making sure he was comfortable. “Of course, Dad. We’re in this together. We’ll figure it out, one step at a time.”
As they sat there, the weight of their new reality settled over them both, but there was also a sense of quiet resolve. They would navigate this strange, new world together, finding a way to make it work, even if it meant redefining their roles and responsibilities.
Greg winced slightly at McKenzie’s tone, recognizing the underlying resentment she harbored toward Cindy’s past views. He knew that his wife had always been a strong advocate for the strict separation of Littles and non-Littles, often pushing for policies that many—including their own daughter—found unfair and dehumanizing. Now, with the tables turned, Cindy was experiencing firsthand the harsh realities of the world she had helped to shape.
“Pumpkin, I know you’re upset with her. And I get it,” Greg said gently, trying to navigate the sensitive topic. “Your mom always thought she was doing what was best, even if it was misguided. But now… well, she’s realizing how wrong she was, and it’s hitting her hard. She’s not handling it well because, deep down, she knows this isn’t right—none of it is.”
Greg sighed, feeling the weight of his words. “She’s struggling to come to terms with being on the other side of things, and I think she’s scared. Scared of what this means for her, for us… for everything. I just don’t want her to fall apart completely. We’ve all got to adjust, but it’s going to take some time, especially for her.”
McKenzie listened, her expression softening slightly, though the hurt was still evident in her eyes. “I get that, Dad,” she replied after a moment. “But it’s hard not to be angry when I think about everything she used to say, how she used to treat Littles. And now, seeing her like this… it’s just a lot to take in.”
Greg nodded, understanding her perspective. “It is, honey. It’s a lot for all of us. But she’s still your mom, and she’s trying, in her own way. Maybe if we can all find a way to support each other, we can get through this together. I know it’s not easy, and I know she’s made mistakes, but… she’s still part of this family, and she needs us right now, just like we need her.”
McKenzie sighed, the conflict evident on her face. She knew her father was right, but the bitterness from years of being dismissed by her mother for her differing views still lingered. “I’ll try, Dad. But she needs to meet us halfway, too. She can’t just expect us to forgive and forget everything overnight.”
Greg smiled gently, grateful for her willingness to try. “That’s all I’m asking, pumpkin. Just give her a chance to figure things out. We’ll take it one day at a time, okay?”
McKenzie nodded, her resolve softening. “Okay, Dad. One day at a time.
Greg listened to McKenzie’s words, feeling a deep sense of loss and frustration. He had always prided himself on being the supportive parent, the one who defended McKenzie’s right to her own opinions, even when Cindy didn’t agree. He had hoped that this bond would help him sway her, to get her on his side in this situation. But McKenzie’s response was firm, and it was clear that she had come to terms with the reality of their new lives in a way he hadn’t fully accepted.
“McKenzie, I know you’ve always been on my side,” Greg began, his voice tinged with desperation. “I know your mother didn’t see things the way you did, but I always defended your right to have your own views. She never thought any less of you because of it. But you can’t just leave her to Madison. You can’t leave us in her care. She thinks of us as her Littles, for Christ’s sake,” he pleaded, hoping to find a crack in McKenzie’s resolve.
But McKenzie’s response was resolute, her tone carrying a level of authority that Greg wasn’t used to hearing from her. “Dad, I tried with her just before I came downstairs, and she doesn’t believe in me. She doesn’t think I can do this. She practically expects me to fall on my face,” McKenzie said, her voice firm but not unkind. “I’m sorry you two are Littles. I really am, but you are Littles now. You’re going to have to live your lives as Littles. You are Madison’s Littles just as much as you are my Littles. That’s something you two are going to have to understand now.”
Greg felt a wave of helplessness wash over him as he listened to his daughter. The reality she was laying out was one he didn’t want to accept, but he knew deep down that she was right. McKenzie continued, her voice softening slightly as she stroked her finger gently down his back, a gesture of affection that he both appreciated and resented. It was a reminder of how much things had changed, of how much he had lost.
“Look, Dad, Madison and I had to draw lines—lines that legally define who owns which Little. It was important, in case we ever had a falling out, that there would be no confusion about who belongs to whom. I was able to protect you. You will always be my Little,” McKenzie explained, her tone a mix of firmness and compassion. “But you’re going to have to listen to Madison, just like Mom will. I’ve talked to Madison about this. It’s going to take time to undo what Mom did and what you allowed. She views you exactly as you and Mom raised her to.”
Greg’s heart sank as he realized the full extent of what McKenzie was saying. The roles had been reversed in a way he never could have imagined, and now, he was being asked to submit to the very dynamics he had once enforced. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but as McKenzie gently stroked his back, he understood that she wasn’t being cruel—she was trying to help him accept the new reality.
“I understand, pumpkin,” Greg finally said, his voice low and resigned. “I’ll do my best to adjust. I just… I just wish things could be different.”
“I know, Dad,” McKenzie replied, her voice softening even more. “I wish things could be different too. But this is where we are now, and we have to make the best of it. I’m here for you, and I’ll do everything I can to make this as easy as possible. But we have to work together, okay?”
Greg nodded, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “Okay, McKenzie. I’ll do my best,” he said, knowing that his life had irrevocably changed and that he would have to find a way to navigate this new world, even if it meant submitting to the authority of his own daughters.
A nice talk between Mackenzie and her dad.
Not everything is bad in this world.
I enjoy seeing the difference in personality between the characters and how each one deals with the situation. I’m excited to see how they will adapt to this new family dynamic.
Yes I tried to make them all different and not just 1d
Characters. So they are all a bit different with there own problems
I’m feel so much joy right now that I can’t help but smile finally talking about feelings and issues and stuff that helps the family mentally and emotionally just…..this brought tears to my eyes lol
They are trying to do what they all think is right.
1.1) McKenzie trying to reassure her father was nice to see.
1.2) trying to find jobs and uses for him so he can fel needed is definitely gonna help him.
2.1) Greg trying to smooth things over with his wife and daughter I’d also great.
2.2) though I do sympathise with why McKenzie is hesitant.
3.1) “what Mom did and what you allowed” I think this is important to remember, as while it is Cindy’s (former) views that causing the bulk of the issues, he was complicit in letting her teach then, unquestioning and unchallenging.
3.2) and while you could argue that he was allowing her to have her own opinions just like he defended McKenzie having hers, that is now objectively proven to be a mistake on his part.
4) I’m curious how the divided ownership will work, While McKenzie owns Greg, he’s going to spend more time either Madison, so he’s probably gonna get bonded to her more than McKenzie. And in all likelihood he’s gonna be separated from his wife in a few years as the daughters grow apart.
5) Greg seems much more accepting than Cindy, but it’s clear he’s still a long ways off from true acceptance.
6.1) I just noticed McKenzie has a pet cage in her room in this image, is it occupied? And if so by who/what? And if not, are Greg or Cindy going to be inside it at a some point?
6.2) also there’s an empty mason jar I hope she doesn’t put her parents in.
1) McKenzie never fully agreed with her mothers beliefs. She isn’t anywhere near chloe levels. She is probably most similar to the existing character CHrissy when it comes to little beliefs. Where she does view littles as pet like. She still wants her parents to have as good of a life as littles can have considering what her mother did and believed.
1.2) Yeah that was nice of her. Like some realization that little jobs probably arent happening for them but he can at least still help out here and there with things even if she doesn’t really need help.
2) Well he does love both his daughters and his wife. Getting them both on the same page would be helpful if he can achieve it.
2.2) Yes in McKenize’s eyes her mother doesn’t have faith in her abilities to manage this. Which does hurt her feelings and upset her. But she understands they are in a bad situation right now so is trying to be mature about it but she is still a teenager at the end of the day. Still trying to find her own way.
3.1) Yes that is a theme throughout season2 that they have to wrestle with. Cindy instilled beliefs in her daughters even McKenzie at young ages where they grew up hearing and believing some things are the way they are. So you do have this dichotomy where they are at the mercy of there own rules and beliefs.
It’s not always easy to change one’s mind when one has been raised to believe it fact and correct THen you have media and society at large slanting in a way that reinforces those beliefs to some degree.
3.2) Yes the idea i had behind this is while he was giving his daughters freedom to be independent and come to there own conclusions on things. You then also have to accept tehy may not come to conclusions you agree with or want them too. sometimes its just enough freedom to hang yourself as they say.
4) The divided ownership is basically ultimately McKenize owns greg and Madison owns her mother. However, both girls are doing kind of a shared custody overall. As the split custody was Danielle’s doing through her own experiences, understanding that if they didn’t ultimately kind of split them up as they got older, it would cause problems because, as you said, at some point, they are going to grow apart a bit and have their own lives.
5) I would agree with that.
6) It is not occupied at the moment. Its just in her room from a prior pet years ago.
6.2) there is, i decorated the whole room. So there is bits of things all over to make it feel lived in.
1.1) Chrissy does seem like a fair comparison for McKenzie, Madison is between to Sara and Dayton.
1.2) Finding ways he can still provide for his kids, even if only symbolically would certainly help him accept his new position. Plus he still has the wisdom and maturity of an adult, so, even if she doesn’t like that Cidy doubted her, it’d be better if she at least let Greg look over the budget she made.
2.2) Cindy did doubt her, which is something all parents do as their kids grow up, I’m sure that while not vocalising it, Greg’s got his reservations about it. There’d also be an element of “But she shouldn’t have to” surrounding the topic.
3.1) Cindy’s laying in her made bed, but my point was more about how it’s good that Greg not questioning Cindy’s beliefs and teachings means that he’s contributed to the issues is being acknowledged.
Media reinforcing these beliefs wouldn’t help as by now Littles would be showing up in TV shows as pets normalising it further, even kid’s shows like what Nickelodeon, Genristudios and Disney Channel produce would be using little actors, cementing their role in this world to the younger generation.
3.2) I agree with that premise.
4) I see, my question was more about the bonding than the legal issues, Maddison will be spending more time with the two and could easily set a bond with them, probably knowingly, this would make it harder for McKenzie to bond with Greg, possibly preventing it entirely.
6.1) so, Is it innocuous set dressing, or is it foreshadowing for where the parents are gonna be sooner or later?