McKenzie leaned back slightly, her posture loosening now that the initial weight of the conversation had settled into something more manageable. One arm rested against the desk, the other hanging loosely at her side as she looked down at Greg.
“This really is for the best,” she said, her tone softer now, more grounded than before. “You’ve got the home base here with me, and we can actually start figuring things out. Not just day-to-day stuff, but… long-term.”
She paused briefly, like she was testing how it sounded out loud.
“Because I’m not just your daughter anymore,” she added. “I’m going to be your guardian full-time eventually.”
There was no pride in it. No ego.
Just acceptance.
“It’s going to make some things complicated,” she admitted, her expression shifting slightly, “but… I know this is right.”
Greg watched her carefully.
He could see the conviction in it. The way she had already settled into the idea, even if she didn’t have every piece figured out yet. This wasn’t impulsive. This was something she had already decided.
And part of him felt that same pull again—that quiet sense that this could work.
But the other part of him…
“McKenzie… about your mom,” Greg said, easing into it carefully.
He already knew this wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have.
McKenzie didn’t even hesitate.
“Dad,” she said, letting out a small breath, the shift immediate. “I’ll make sure Madison doesn’t go crazy with her. I know that matters to you.”
She leaned forward slightly, resting her forearms on the desk again, her tone steady but clearly drawing a line.
“But as far as I’m concerned, Mom is Madison’s Little,” she continued. “And I don’t really want to be involved any more than I have to be.”
There was no anger in it now.
Just distance.
“I don’t want her hurt,” she added, more quietly. “I still care about her.”
That part was true.
Greg could hear it.
“But we’ve been separate for a long time,” she went on. “Way before Smallara. Before any of this.” She shook her head slightly. “That didn’t just start now.”
Greg nodded faintly.
He knew that.
“I just hate that it had to happen to you,” McKenzie said, looking at him more directly now. “You’re the one that holds everything together.”
That one landed.
Greg felt it settle in his chest, heavier than he expected.
Because it was true.
And because it wasn’t something he could keep doing the same way anymore.
He took a small breath.
“Then can’t you try?” he asked, gently but firmly. “Just a little. For me.”
McKenzie’s expression shifted immediately.
Not angry.
But resistant.
“I’m not asking you to forgive her,” Greg added quickly. “I’m not asking you to be best friends. Just… something. Throw her a bone.”
McKenzie leaned back again, dragging a hand lightly across her face.
“Ugh,” she let out, the sound breaking through the composure she’d been holding. For a second, she was just a teenager again.
“I didn’t even want her at dinner with my coach,” she admitted. “I’m sorry. That’s why I didn’t invite you. I didn’t want it to be… weird.”
Greg blinked slightly at that.
That explained more than he expected.
McKenzie glanced back at him.
“But like…” she started, her tone shifting into something more reluctant, “we can maybe… watch a show together or something. Sometimes. For you.”
It wasn’t enthusiasm.
It wasn’t reconciliation.
But it wasn’t nothing.
Greg smiled faintly.
“Maybe we bring back family game night,” he suggested.
The reaction was immediate.
“Definitely not,” McKenzie said, almost reflexively, a small shake of her head following. “The only one who liked that was you.”
Greg let out a quiet chuckle at that.
And just like that, for a brief moment, something about the room felt lighter.
Not fixed.
Not resolved.
But… familiar.
I have to say! Greg is a fucking legend! He needs to be applauded! Cindy needs to get down on her knees and thank him!
Asuka! I loved this chapter! The en and flow work McKenzie and Greg and both of them can become parent and child and guardian and little with no effort! It shows how much she cares for him! Great chapter
I agree, fun & not to depressive. I think since the house and all its expenses are paid by corporate, Madison can use it as a permanent home and go to college from there and Kenz can always maintain a room so the house is a family home base. Greg can FaceTime Cindy and Madison and see them at holidays like everybody else does.
Yeah they have alot of options and it’s awhile till they graduate. Like years so a lot can change.
Glad it’s going over so well. After yesterdays chapter the opinions were flowing which was fun to read as well
Greg is the fucking man. I don’t know if I could do what he’s doing if I were in his position, but I give him all the credit in the world for trying to keep this family together. It’s also great to see how much McKenzie cares for him.
Well it is his wife which I think helps. I mean as an outsider i would have told her to F off awhile ago.
But i know for my own wife i often will go the extra mile. Which is what Greg is doing for Cindy.
Cindy’s job is to not fuck this up. I really hope Greg goes to her and tells her to never bring up the madison stuff their treatment with Kenzie and to just try to take an interest in her from here on out. that’s the best thing she can do for herself. Otherwise Cindy will just blow it again and Kenzie will be less willing to do this again for Greg. Seriously, if Cindy really loves Kenzie, she needs to make this all about listening and being involved in Kenzies life as a supporter, not a governor.
That is a hard job for Cindy who excels at messing up.
She definitely needs to approach it as mckenzies mom and just being there for her daughter. Bringing up other drama will just ruin things or atleast the opportunity Greg created for her.
I really wish they would address the elephant in the room that is that Mackenzie and Greg are choosing to separate Greg and Cindy. Greg is going to leave his wife and honestly only seems kinda bothered by it. At least he mentioned her a bit, but I don’t know how else he would be so okay with leaving her unless he didn’t really love her anymore anyway, which is also a very real possibility. But Kenzie is straight up not even worried about choosing to split her parents up it seems. Idk, maybe it’ll be dealt with later, but just stands out to me right now. Like, dude is okay being alone in this and getting to “visit” his freaking wife sometimes as long as he ends up in a better position.
I also don’t know why he would be scared of being honest with Mackenzie about how he feels about Cindy’s treatment. Does he think she would hurt him? Why would he think that if she is supposed to be the nice one?
Idk, dude is just wishy washy and just seems to be unwilling to be honest out of fear of losing his place as #1 slave. Either that, or he just wants to be separated from his wife because he doesn’t love her and sees this as a prime opportunity, which I would understand more, but is still weasely as shit.
McKenzie isn’t really choosing to separate from Cindy; she still lives in the same house as her. She still sees Cindy. She’s not close to graduation, and Madison is further from graduation. So it’s not like she’s moving out any time soon.
You’re talking about half a decade from now events when McKenzie could become available to move out, as Madison would need to graduate high school, and it’s not like Madison is going to graduate, get her diploma, and McKenzie has the car packed, ready to go.
Greg never said he was going to leave his wife. He never officially said what he was going to do.
I’m not sure what you realistically expect Greg to do. McKenzie or Madison can pretty much do what they want, and if they choose not to listen to his wishes, he can’t do much.
I personally think you may be a bit too harsh on Greg. As with most of your complaints, he can’t do much about really.
Plus, the treatment of Cindy and wanting McKenzie and Cindy to mend are two separate issues, which the beliefs of one don’t necessarily affect the other.
Greg can, for instance, want reconciliation between McKenzie and Cindy, but also understand why she is treated the way she is, as she did advocate for it. Not saying he is doing that, just saying that it could happen. As the two are quite separate.
Living in the same house doesn’t mean anything if you only get to see your wife for a couple of hours a day while being supervised by your tyrannical teenaged daughter. She is literally making sure they have very little to no alone time with each other. If you don’t call that separation, I don’t know what is. And the fact that he was happy to hear that says a lot more. The only way that makes sense is if he doesn’t really love his wife and is just okay being separated from her.
Also, understanding why she is being treated the way she is and being okay with it are different. Being okay seeing your daughter treat your wife as a dog is wild, no matter if she deserves it or not. If he had that much of an issue with what she was saying, he would’ve pushed back against it while he was big and had some say. But it didn’t personally affect him, besides making money off of it and it seemingly being the core of his wife’s personality, so he just let her go on. Which is why he just comes off as a wishy washy coward who just placates peoples feelings in order to keep the peace without actually ever solving anything. Whoever is in control currently is who his loyalty ultimately lies with.
Like, I don’t really feel bad at all for Cindy, though I think it is fucked up to be in favor of slavery as a punishment. I just think that, from the perspective of her husband, who presumably still loved her, despite her whole personality seemingly being lobbying for actual slavery based on someone having a genetic condition that makes them vulnerable, he seems pretty chill with never being able to sleep in the same bed with her again as long as he is in his own gilded cage with his favorite daughter.
to be fair they have way more time hten a couple of hours. Plus it was never said greg couldnt just have mckenzie drop him off in the morning while the girls are at school.
McKenzie still works, still has tennis practice, still does things with firends, etc. she does have a life.
McKenzie is talking about when she gets home at night her dad living in the habitat she made at night, them hanging out she does homework or something in her room, or winding down time after being out.
there is alot of time Greg would still be with Cindy. Its not like his only option is just i can see my wife from 3 to 5pm only.
I wouldnt say Mckenzie treats cindy like a dog. She doesnt really interact with her mom all that much period post Smallara. As pre-smallara most the interaction was just forced situations because of proximity.
She also goes to school, then has tennis pracatice, then also works part time, and on days she doesnt work may try to see some friends. So its not like shes home a bunch.
Well a huge difference is to them and the people of this world its not slavery. As littles arent people. They are viewed in there human form as littles masquerading as people. The virus is just restoring them to what they always are.
I do think greg has some blame by not saying more earlier and you could argue he should have done more when he was full sized.
but those are also faults lots of many people in real life. How many people are just okay letting injustinces happen that dont affect them? I know i’m guilty of that.
Alright good job Greg you had me a little worried there yesterday but you reminded me not to doubt you and how you are the goat
Cindy I prey you use this opportunity well and I’m positive she won’t waste it and honestly I say give Greg a hug …. Or a good f$%k later when you get the chance for being this goated
And maybe Mads will fine her own thing with Cindy that special to them like sports talk is for Greg and her since clearly they’ll be together for the foreseeable future and might want to find ways to connect
Either way I glad things are looking for the better in some ways small but very good
This was the J-vader update. Greg was upset you didnt have his back. He was hurt, he was confused. He was heartbroken. But he was strong had to persevere despite your lack of faith.
This is probably one if not the last chance McKenzie will give her as shes mainly doing it for dad. So Cindy better not squander it.
Madison herself doesnt have a issue with the relationship with cindy though.
1) “I’m going to be your guardian full-time eventually.” There was no pride in it. No ego.Just acceptance.” – Definitely easier to accept than the alternative
2) ““McKenzie… about your mom,” – “Dad, I’ll make sure Madison doesn’t go crazy with her. I know that matters to you.” Greg protecting his wife is good, and McKenzie protecting her mom solely for her dad is a bittersweet compromise.
3) “But as far as I’m concerned, Mom is Madison’s Little, And I don’t really want to be involved any more than I have to be.” Can’t really blame McKenzie for writing Cindy off
4) “But we’ve been separate for a long time, Way before Smallara. Before any of this. That didn’t just start now.” Their rift isn’t new, that much is clear
5) “I just hate that it had to happen to you, you’re the one who holds everything together.” Heavy burden for the Little Dad
6) “we can maybe… watch a show together or something. Sometimes. For you.” OK, but probably not LLS, I feel like Madison wouldn’t like that.
1) i know you were pulling for Madison full time 24/7. As that is your dream. But this is probably for the best. Plus McKenzie’s habitat is better.
2) Over time she may feel differently about Cindy but also Cindy hasnt really done anyhting to warrent McKenzie viewing her all taht different.
3) Cindy has given her not much for reasons why outside of the fact itsher mom.
4) most definately not. its built over time. Old wounds.
5) Yup, but also probably nice to hear as it means he is still important in her eyes. Still dad.
6) they would probably watch a movie or actual tv show. not sports.
1) Greg has a “safe” place now, it will give him an opportunity to decompress from Madison when he needs it.
2) Kudos to him for pushing ahead advocating for Cindy. He needs to go slow (which he seems to be doing).
3) I’m still unclear as to just how McKenzie sees Greg. Is he a Little first and then her dad, or is it the other way around?
4) Looks like McKenzie’s long plan is that Greg and Cindy will separate. I assume Greg’s plan now is to see that that does not happen. (At this point I assume Greg still loves Cindy and wants to stay together).
5) McKenzie sees Greg as the glue of the family, does Madison?
6) At what point does McKenzie consider “going crazy”, where will she draw the line?
7) “I didn’t even want her at dinner with my coach,” she admitted. “I’m sorry. That’s why I didn’t invite you. I didn’t want it to be… weird.” — That would have been weird, but it would have been fun to see 😁
8) If they watch TV together will it be with or without Madison?
9) Greg is going to have fun explaining this to Cindy, or is Madison going to explain it?
I would love if McKenzie finds out stuff about her mom that she never knew like when you get older you find out your mom and dad had lives before you were born… maybe and this is a sliver but maybe Cindy and McKenzie might have somthing to bond over…..