Chapter 19
“Hi, Zale. Thanks for calling to check on Brooklyn. She hasn’t needed any medicine for a week now.”
Brooklyn colored furiously as she eavesdropped on her daddy’s conversation.
As happy as she was to be headache free, she was a bit sad she wouldn’t need the extra-close care Caden had lavished on her.
She’d loved being super little for him. The medicine had erased her self-consciousness and allowed her to bask in his intimate attention.
After a slight pause, Caden continued, “I agree. She’s definitely on the path to feeling one hundred percent. Can I ask a question? That medicine helped Brooklyn’s tummy work more efficiently. Since she doesn’t need the painkiller in it now, is there anything you suggest injecting as an enema?”
She gave up pretending not to listen and jumped to her feet. She pulled on his shirt, furiously whispering, “No, Daddy. I don’t need that.”
“You have a mixture you create for the other Littles? How often should I use it?”
“Daddy,” she said, shaking her head.
Caden cradled his phone between his shoulder and jawline to free his hands.
With a very stern glance, he steadied her head, preventing her from rattling her brain around.
“Alright, experiment to see what helps Brooklyn’s tummy most. Start with eight ounces every other Saturday or Sunday afternoon before she naps.
Increase to twelve if needed before administering each week.
Got it, Zale. Thank you for all your help. ”
He released her and disconnected from the call. “That was naughty. Don’t interrupt Daddy when he’s on the phone.”
“I don’t want more medicine. I’m so much better. My head isn’t fuzzy at all,” she promised.
“I’ve noticed how much better you’re doing,” he said, meeting her gaze directly.
“I should never have told you that my stomach feels better,” Brooklyn muttered, vowing silently never to answer questions that might come back to haunt her.
Unfortunately, he always distracted her into revealing information.
She told him about her stomach problems after several orgasms thanks to that pink interrogation wand vibrator.
“Not telling Daddy the truth would add to your spanking list,” Caden warned and pointed at the prominently displayed paper displayed in the kitchen.
Their rules hung on the refrigerator. Brooklyn had four:
1. talk positively about herself
2. tell the truth
3. let Daddy know where she is
4. no standing on the furniture.
Caden had three:
1. listen to his little girl
2. tell the truth
3. help Brooklyn be little.
Brooklyn really liked the last one most on his list. Trusting Caden came easier now. He pushed her boundaries when she hesitated to act like she craved. She needed his help to get out of her head and simply be.
Wishing to stay positive, Caden had refused to list her punishments, but they had discussed several methods he might use to help her make better decisions.
Spanking headed the list. A red number three magnet clung to the freezer to remind him to spank her for lying about the cups and leaving without telling him as well as her other delayed punishments.
“Isn’t it important that you feel your best?” Caden asked softly, studying her face.
Brooklyn dropped her gaze down to her pink socks. She didn’t want to answer him.
“Doesn’t Daddy reward you when you’re brave and take your medicine?”
She nodded and wrinkled her nose. He was so logical about everything. Her daddy masterfully explained the positive reasons until she couldn’t disagree with him. “But it’s embarrassing.”
“What do we say in this house?” he asked, tilting her chin up until their gazes met.
“We do whatever is necessary to be happy,” she recited.
“Does having Daddy take care of your bottom make your tummy happier?”
She hesitated and peeked back at the list of rules. That no-lying one got her all the time. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. That was very brave of you. Would you like some cuddles on the couch as a reward?”
“Please!” She eliminated the space between them and hugged him tight. “And a sticker.”
“I think both can be arranged.” He swept Brooklyn up in his arms and carried her on his hip to the refrigerator.
Grabbing a sheet of stickers from his stash on top of the appliance, Caden asked, “Do you want a good girl or a bunny sticker?”
“Good girl!”
“I think that’s an excellent choice. Peel off the one you want.” When she handed it to him, he placed it on her belly. “There’s my good little girl.”
“Look, Daddy! My tummy’s good too.”
“Yes, it is, sweetheart.” He rewarded Brooklyn with a steamy kiss before walking to the couch to hold her on his lap.
“Prepare for cuddles,” he warned and squeezed her until she squeaked. When she giggled, he eased his hold and ran his hands up and down her back.
Brooklyn relaxed on his hard frame, loving his touch and attention. She could never get enough cuddles.
Twenty minutes later, she battled to keep her eyes open as she yawned widely.
“Nap time, little girl.” He stood and carried her to her nursery.
She didn’t fuss. Naps were amazing. Caden set her on the soft bedding and eased her clothing off, leaving her only in her diaper. He tucked her under the covers with Fluffikins before kissing her forehead.
“Open for Daddy,” he whispered and slid her pacifier between her lips. “Sweet dreams.”
She wiggled, getting comfortable, before sighing happily.
The soft sheets wrapped around her almost naked body.
Brooklyn smiled softly. Caden enjoyed looking at her.
With his help, she was learning to be comfortable in her own skin.
The creaking runner of the rocking chair told her that Caden sat by her crib, watching over her as she tumbled into sleep.
“Daddy?” Brooklyn called, mumbling around her pacifier.
Silence answered her.
Squirming out from under the covers, she slid on her tummy off the high mattress of her crib. She hugged Fluffikins to her breasts, giggling as his fur tickled her nipples. Daddy would be so happy that she napped so well.
Brooklyn went to see if she’d earned another sticker. The family room and kitchen were empty. She turned in a circle. Where was he? A piece of white paper on the table caught her eye.
Brookie,
They called us in to help with a busted pipe on base. I’ll be back as soon as possible. Love you!
Daddy
Wrinkling her nose at the news, Brooklyn headed back to the nursery to play. The slamming of a car door in the driveway caught her attention. Why hadn’t her daddy pulled into the garage?
She walked to the front window to peek out with no one seeing her naked. A man with a black hoodie pulled up over his hair walked toward her. He focused completely on his phone. A small breeze ruffled one side of the hood, revealing Brent’s face.
Brooklyn ran into the hallway and froze. The months of fear and feeling hunted flooded her mind and body. She struggled to think. What should she do? Fluffikins’ fur reminded her she needed clothes. She definitely didn’t want to wrangle with Brent like this.
Ripping off her diaper as she dashed for the nursery, Brooklyn threw it into the trash.
He couldn’t catch her in that. Brooklyn didn’t stop to consider how Brent would react to that.
Heavy pounding on the door made her jump.
Brent would get in, even if he had to break a window.
Her heart raced as she grabbed underwear and scrambled into the clothes Caden had put on her that morning.
In full panic mode, Brooklyn struggled to make a plan. If she backed her car out of the driveway, Brent would attack her vehicle. A buzz caught her attention. The phone.
Spotting Daddy on the screen identifying the caller, she grabbed the phone on the rocking chair and whispered into it as the call connected. “Daddy. He’s here. Brent. He’s trying to get in.”
“I’m on my way, little girl. Stay out of sight. If he gets in, grab anything you can use for a weapon. Fight if you have to.”
Something thumped on the windows. Thankfully, Caden hadn’t opened the blinds that morning. “Brooklyn! Don’t make me angrier. Come out and let’s go. That military guy isn’t coming to save you. They’ve got a big mess on their hands on base.”
She didn’t answer. Each word hit her like a stone. She’d experienced Brent’s anger before she left. In her gut, she understood this time he wouldn’t simply hurt her. He’d kill her.
A murmur of Caden’s voice came through the phone line. Outside, Brent paused. Could he hear that? She backed into the hallway and whispered, “Sh! He’s listening.”
Caden immediately stopped talking. Brooklyn left the line open so he could hear, but stuffed her phone into her bra. She’d try to give him updates about what was happening. Thinking furiously, she searched for a weapon. The knives in the kitchen!
Dropping to her knees in case he’d returned to peer into the front windows, Brooklyn crawled behind the furniture to the kitchen.
She dared to reach over the counter to grab the block of knives and returned to crouch low on the floor.
Brooklyn grabbed a long, thin knife and the big butcher’s knife.
She placed the block on the floor and eased the oven open.
As quietly as possible, she stashed the rest of the set inside.
Maybe that would keep him from using the blades on her.
She shuddered at the idea before searching for a hiding spot.
The big, open space didn’t provide any shelter.
If he got inside, Brent would expect her to lock herself in a bathroom or bedroom.
He wouldn’t expect for her to stay here.
Brooklyn turned to the pantry and forced herself forward.
She hadn’t walked inside that storage room since her accident.
Considering the space inside, Brooklyn saw she had two choices.
She could crawl under the bottom shelf and pull a case of water in front of her.
If he spotted her there, Brent would loom over her, weakening her efforts to defend herself.
A window shattered next in the family room.
Brooklyn stood on her tiptoes to set the knives down before grabbing a shelf and climbing.
Moving as silently as possible, she clung onto the wood as she shifted the presents that remained on the top shelf.
“Come out, come out, Brooklyn. Why hide? I will find you.”
Brooklyn forced herself to move through her terror as he bellowed, using the frightening sound as cover. As she suspected, he’d immediately headed into the hallway. She stretched out on the top shelf and pulled Caden’s presents in front of her.
“Fucking bitch! You’re always so much trouble,” Brent screamed from the back of the house.
He’ll be coming soon.
Her trembling shoulders rustled the wrapping paper.
Brooklyn struggled to stop the movement.
She wanted to talk to her daddy, but in the cramped space she worried she’d knock something off the shelf if she retrieved her phone from under her shirt.
Suddenly the volume of Brent’s shouts increased, and she guessed he was returning.
“What’s that room back there, Brooklyn? Are you pregnant? Dreaming of rocking your bastard baby in that rocking chair?”
Her heart lurched in her chest at the thought he’d invaded her special room. If she survived this, she’d deal with the negativity he’d left in the house.
The knives! She’d forgotten them on the shelf below her. Moving as quickly as she dared, Brooklyn snaked a hand out to reach for them. Her fingers brushed the handles, and she grabbed one.
“Every moment I search for you means more pain for you. I’ve dreamed of breaking your bones, Brooklyn. Forget London Bridge is falling down, I’m going to watch Brooklyn Bridge fall down—even if I have to shatter your shins to bring you down.”
Brooklyn grabbed for the second knife, slicing her finger on the blade. She bit her lip to stop herself from crying out and trailed along the metal to the wooden handle. Please get here, Daddy. Please!
Light appeared along the edges of the pantry door as he pushed it open. Peeking between the packages in front of her face, Brooklyn could see him scan the room. His first move? Brent kicked the case of water on the floor.
Biting her lip, Brooklyn celebrated her decision not to hide there. Brent searched the bottom shelves, tossing boxes and small appliances like the toaster as she held her breath. His gaze rose higher, and he scanned the storage area below her. He was going to find her.
“Presents? Did your soldier buy you something special, Brooklyn? You’ve fooled him just like you pulled the wool over my eyes.”
Time seemed to freeze as he reached up for the package in front of her. When his fingers wrapped around the box in front of her face, Brooklyn thrust the sharp blade forward.
His scream turned her blood to ice. Brent recoiled, falling against the open door with a loud bang. Brooklyn struggled to think quickly. What should she do?
Brent lunged forward. The silence now seemed deadly without his threats. A thick arm stopped Brent in his tracks, and she recognized Caden’s buzz cut as he yanked Brent into the kitchen. She could hear Brent’s yells and thuds.
“Go get your girl. We’ve got this.” That wasn’t her daddy. Was the entire team in the house? She hadn’t heard any of them.
Caden appeared in the doorway. He reached out immediately to sweep her off the shelf. His urgent motion swept the presents off the shelf without a second thought. Her daddy hugged her hard to his chest as he carried her out of the house into the driveway as sirens filled the air.