Chapter 3
Pike’s heart was hurting because his Little girl had been carrying some very big feelings, but he was also relieved because at least they were getting somewhere.
“Oh, Bitty, that’s a lot of weight for a Little girl to be carrying, especially because some of it isn’t true.
When River died, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with an eighteen-year-old underfoot, but you wound up becoming my best friend.
My life was meaningless before you. I worked, partied, drank, but that was it.
I didn’t start living until you came into my life.
You gave me a purpose and being your Daddy makes me so proud.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about what a privilege it is to care for you.
I would love to do more for you. Feeding you a bottle, rocking you, changing your diapers or helping you remember to go potty, those things are precious and I would never be bothered by doing them for you. ”
Dallas lifted her head and studied him. “You’re telling the truth, Daddy?”
Pike pressed a kiss to Dallas' mouth. “I promise to never lie to you, Bitty.”
She nodded and played with the buttons on his shirt.
“I’m glad we were able to get to the bottom of what’s been upsetting you.”
Dallas nodded. Tears rolled down her face. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you right away. I tried, but I just felt so guilty.”
Pike cupped her face in his big hands and stroked the tears away with his thumbs. “Asking for what you need will never be selfish, okay?”
She nodded into his hands.
“I didn’t even know it was what I wanted but seeing Rae Rae get to live her life so freely looked so freeing.
She doesn’t have to make any choices or plan things, and her friends don’t ask lots of things of her because she’s just a baby.
And the moments where Uncle Travis or Uncle Maddox fed her were so sweet and intimate. I want that with you, Daddy.”
“Daddy would love having all of those sweet moments with you too, baby. The thought of you being completely dependent on me makes my heart so happy.” He left out the part about how it also made his cock hard.
“You’re the best Daddy in the whole wild world.”
Pike smiled at her words. “And you are the best baby in the whole wild world.”
He bounced her on his knee. “There’s something else Daddy wants to talk to you about, though, because you mentioned how you felt the other Littles would be disappointed if you played in a younger headspace and then you mentioned how nice it must be that Reagan’s friends don’t ask her things.
Are your friends asking you things in a manner that’s overwhelming you, baby? ”
Her lip trembled and Pike pressed another kiss to her forehead. “You’re allowed to feel your feelings, Bitty. It doesn’t make you naughty for having negative feelings, baby.”
She nodded. “I think because I’ve always been the older Little in the group.
I like helping their Daddies take care of them and I love that they look up to me, but it’s just gotten overwhelming lately.
When we play, they always refer to me or they ask me if they’re playing the game right or to explain the rules to the board games and I love them—I do, Daddy.
I promise! But it’s just too much for me sometimes. I just want to be Little and play too.”
“I bet you do, Bitty, and that’s okay. I’m so proud of you for sharing all of this with Daddy.
I think that maybe the Little girls do those things because they admire you and enjoy playing with you so they want your approval for things, and it’s okay to need a break from that.
They will love you no matter what age you are.
They just want you to be happy and I bet when you talk to them, they will understand. ”
“It’s hard,” she sobbed. Pike released her face and let her bury her head back into his neck.
“I know, Dallas. Sometimes telling other people what we need is very hard, but you were so brave because you worked through it and told Daddy anyway,” he praised.
“I’m glad I was correct in my guess about what was bothering you and I’m glad that when I made our choices for the Ranch, Daddy decided to sign you up to spend time in the Caterpillar Room. ”
“Don’t you mean the Butterfly Room?”
“No, I mean the Caterpillar Room, it’s the nursery.”
“The nursery? But… Sadie mentioned the Butterfly Room. Why can’t I be a butterfly?”
Pike smiled. “Because, Bitty, I believe the nursery is the best place to begin. Besides, before one can become a butterfly, they have to be what first? Can you tell Daddy?”
Dallas took a moment as if really considering the question. Finally, she said, “They have to be a caterpillar.”
He stood and carried her into the bedroom before pulling her from his neck and setting her on her feet between his legs.
“That’s exactly right. Daddy knew you were struggling and he was feeling pretty sure it was because you were struggling with your Little identity.
So when I chose to book this vacation for us, I decided you would be in a younger headspace the entire stay.
I’ve ordered some special things for Baby Dallas and we’re going to try them out while we’re here.
The things you love in the younger headspace, we will take home and implement there and the things you don’t love, we will leave as special Rawhide Ranch memories. ”
“I didn’t say yes,” she said, her fingers rubbing over the fabrics of her leggings.
He understood her statement. He and Dallas often discussed new things before they tried them, he’d normally never just tell her what they were going to do, but this had been a different type of situation.
“No, Bitty. You didn’t agree to this, you’re right.
But Daddy didn’t ask you this time. Sometimes Daddies and Mommies have a gut sense that helps them provide their Little ones with exactly what they need.
I was pretty sure you needed to be in a younger headspace.
I also knew if I gave you the choice, you wouldn’t agree to explore that side of you. So Daddy made the choice for you.”
“Daddy decided for Dallas?”
He nodded. “I did. We’re going to explore so many new things over the next two weeks, things Daddy’s not going to give you a choice about unless you use your safe word. Do you understand, Bitty?”
“Yas, Sir,” she answered, nodding.
Pike’s stomach danced with nerves. He’d never done something like this before, but thankfully, Dallas suddenly launched herself into his arms. “Thank you, Daddy! Thank you!”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re welcome, Bitty, but I want to make sure you understand it might be hard at first. There’s lots of new things we're going to try and some might feel silly while we get used to them, but Daddy’s not going to change his mind.
We’re going to do all of the things I think you might enjoy or want you to explore, understand? ”
“Yes, Daddy,” she agreed.
Pike didn’t think it would be that easy; he knew they would repeat the talk a few more times as they navigated new things together, but for now, he’d consider this first step a definite win.
“Now what do you say you go explore, while Daddy does some unpacking?”
“I would like to look around, Daddy,” Dallas said, glancing around the large suite.
“Well, just one room at a time. You’re just a tiny baby and I don’t want you to get lost.”
Her face flushed, but she nodded as she wandered around the room. He continued to watch as she took in the large bedroom.
“Stay where I can see you, Bitty," he reminded, just to keep her in her headspace.
“Yes, Daddy,” she said, tucking Teefs into the large bed.
Her hitched breath let him know the exact moment she realized there were metal rings on the four corners of the large poster bed. His baby loved bondage play.
“Did you see the rings in the headboard, Bitty?” he asked, pointing to the brass rings. Her gaze followed his finger, and she flushed adorably when she saw the additional rings he was talking about. “Daddy can’t wait to restrain your sweet body so he can ravish it.”
She squeezed her thighs together and Pike had to remember there were other things he wanted to introduce her to first. He put the last of his clothes away before picking up her suitcase and carrying it toward a door he hadn’t let Dallas open yet.
“Why aren’t you unpacking my things?” Dallas asked, sounding almost panicked.
“Because Daddy has a surprise for you,” he said, holding his hand out.
“Am I staying with you?” she asked anxiously, taking his hand. “I don’t want to stay in the Caterpillar Room at night.”
Pike set the suitcase down and knelt to face his panicked Little girl. “Hey, Daddy wouldn’t dare let you sleep away from him or put you in the nursery for the whole trip. This vacation was for us to explore your needs, and we can’t explore them if you’re not with me, can we?”
She shook her head, blinking back tears.
“I’m sorry Daddy scared you, Bitty. I promise that minus some time in the Caterpillar Room, you’ll be with Daddy all of the time, okay?”
She nodded.
“Besides, the nursery isn’t open at night. Little girls and boys just visit there during the day,” he said, standing and then picking her up. He could feel her heart pounding in her chest and he made a mental note to be gentler with his movements and ideas.
Grabbing the handle of her pink leopard suitcase, he pulled it to the door. “Daddy has his hands full, can you reach down and open the door?” he asked, referring to the door that separated the nursery from the main bedroom and the rest of their suite.
Dallas did as he asked and then immediately gasped in delight. Wiggling in his arms, she tried to get down to explore the new space.
“See, Daddy wasn’t taking your clothes to the Caterpillar Room, he was taking them to your nursery.”
Pike knew what the room looked like from the website, but even those beautiful photos didn’t do the room justice.
It was magnificent. Hardwood floors matched the oak of an adult-sized crib, padded changing table, and rocking chair, plus a rocking horse Pike had ordered ahead of time just for her.
Dallas made a beeline for the horse. Pike walked over and helped her climb on it.
“Yee-haw!” she declared, making him chuckle.
“Well, aren’t you just the cutest cowgirl I’ve ever seen?
” After he made sure she was steady on the horse, he started to unpack her clothes and new Little gear in the closet.
He kept a close eye on her, making sure she didn’t fall.
The ear-to-ear grin of her face told him he’d done the right thing and, for the first time in months, he didn’t feel the heavy weight on his shoulders.
His Little one was going to get everything she needed.