Chapter 10
Iwoke up to the unmistakable sound of Murphy's tail thumping against the floorboards.
My poor baby was ready for his breakfast, and he was done waiting for me.
Daisy, as per usual, was still curled up at my feet, and when I looked down the bed at her, she didn't even bother lifting her head to look at me.
Unlike her brother, she didn't mind a late start.
In fact, I think she'd much rather we stayed in bed most days.
I rested back against my pillow, hoping Murphy would give me a few extra moments, but the moment my hair touched cotton, the little terrier jumped against the side of the bed giving one loud insistent bark.
"Okay, okay," I croaked, voice still scratchy from sleep. "I hear you, I hear you."
I rubbed the heel of my hand against my eyes and rolled to the side. The early morning light spilled through the curtains, painting the room. It only made it so much harder for me to get my lazy ass out of bed.
I yawned, my hand automatically moving up to cover my mouth, and I felt the slight sting of beard burn.
A wide smile spread across my face.
Doctor Daddy.
Colter.
Last night's kiss... or well, I suppose kisses, kept replaying in my head over and over again.
Last night I'd gone to bed still tasting him, my neglected cock aching for me to touch it, but I hadn't felt it was appropriate.
We hadn't gotten that far yet, or come up with any kind of rules, but playing with myself, making myself come, without Daddy there or having his permission, just felt wrong.
Murphy barked again, snapping me out of my mental daydream.
I dragged myself out of bed, untangling my feet from the duvet before shuffling toward the kitchen in my pajama pants.
Murphy might be the only one who demanded his breakfast in the morning, but getting it ready was a whole ordeal.
They each had their own preferences, dietary requirements, and food.
Murphy danced in circles around me as I moved around the kitchen while the rest of my brood slowly made their way into the busy kitchen.
"Patience, little man," I muttered to Murphy, scooping his kibble before pouring the gravy that helped with his joint problems. I quickly moved on to the other three bowls, knowing by now that if I put Murphy's down before having Daisy's ready then Murphy would bother my gentle giant while she ate hers.
Finally, after another couple of sharp barks, I had all their breakfast bowls prepared. I placed them down on the floor right as my phone chirped with a notification that sent a flutter straight through my stomach.
Doctor Daddy: Morning baby, How'd you sleep?
Doctor Daddy: I hardly got any. I kept thinking about a special boy, and his extra special kisses. I swear I can still taste you.
I dropped the phone onto the counter like the phone had stung me. Then like the crazy person I am, I immediately snatched it up again.
Thankful that no one was there to witness my idiocy, I stared at the phone with hearts in my eyes. My thumbs hovered uselessly above the keyboard for a full thirty seconds before I finally figured out what to respond.
Jericho: My, my Doctor Daddy. That's quite the good morning.
His reply came almost instantly.
Doctor Daddy: Does that mean you don't like it?
I let out a small chuckle before I responded.
Jericho: That's not what I said.
Doctor Daddy: Well, that's a relief. Now, what time can I pick you up tonight?
Oh my goodness! How on earth had I forgotten about it? Our planned Little date night.
I had to act cool, though, right?
Jericho: Whenever's good for you. I'm off today. Should I bring anything?
Doctor Daddy: Just yourself. And maybe... if it's not too forward, a change of clothes?
Oh. My. Gawd.
So much for acting cool!
I bit my lip, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt as I sent back my response.
Jericho: Sounds good, Daddy.
Doctor Daddy: Perfect. See you at seven.
I sent back a heart emoji and tossed the phone on the counter, unable to stop the hum of happiness that built in my chest. Now that my babies were fed and my plans for the evening made, it was time to get started on my gift wrapping.
By late afternoon, my apartment smelled faintly of hot chocolate and the vanilla candle I'd lit to calm my ever-growing nerves. For once, all four of my babies were settled down in their various beds, so I only had myself and my own preparations to focus on.
I was a huge freaking mess. There were clothes all over the floor in my bedroom.
Nothing I looked at made me happy.
I was perilously close to a meltdown when Daisy got up with a muffled groan, lumbered over to me and headed straight for a pile of discarded items. She nuzzled through it before looking at me with a beleaguered expression.
"What have you got there, pretty girl?" I asked as I crawled over to her to dig through the pile. That's when I saw it. A set of Santa Pajamas. I couldn't put them on when Colter fetched me, but I could definitely take it with me for later.
Feeling marginally better, I dug through the same pile and found a graphic t-shirt with a large cartoon ninja turtle on it.
That would work.
My phone chimed and I rushed over to see if it was from Colter, even if he wasn't due to fetch me yet.
Alas. No.
The name on the screen was not one I’d expected to see again.
Oscar: Missing you. I can help you get rid of the pests.
My throat went tight. For a second, all the warmth of the morning, and the stupid happiness at finding the right outfit drained right out of me.
I stared at the message, thumb hovering over the screen.
He'd called them pests again. And this time I didn't feel like I was overreacting. That text did sound threatening.
I exhaled, long and shaky. Then I looked down at the message thread again.
Years of conversations scrolled past, and you'd think I'd feel sad looking at all those memories. Instead, I felt an enormous amount of satisfaction at hitting block on the contact card.
A soft chuff drew my attention. My naughty terrier wagged his tail at me, but he remained in his doggy bed, obviously just wanting to remind me of his presence. The little brat.
But his job was done. He'd gotten my thoughts away from the heavy territory that Oscar had dragged them into.
Checking the time on my phone, I realised I only had about half an hour before Colter would be there.
Time to get this show on the road!