Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
After checking his phone all morning for Tiffanie’s response to his text, Phineas gave up and called his Little girl. They would have a conversation about staying in touch this evening. No response. Worried, Phineas reached out to Ivan.
“Have you heard from Tiffanie?” Phineas asked when Ivan answered.
“No. I figured she had gone home when I went looking for Essie and the office was empty. I’ll walk to the front and look for her car,” Ivan said.
Phineas could hear the concern in Ivan’s voice. He stood and closed his computer. Heading for the door, Phineas texted his assistant that he was going out to lunch.
“The sedan is still here, Phineas. She must be in the mansion. Let me check the ballroom.”
“I’m on my way, Ivan. I’ll see you there in a few.” Everything was fine. The two women had to be somewhere in the huge building, making plans for an event.
As he drove down the long, curving drive, Phineas spotted Zander’s work truck pulled up to the front steps behind Tiffanie’s sedan. Parking behind him, Phineas headed for the front door. It opened as he reached the entrance.
“Hey, Phineas. I stopped by to check on Tiffanie, but I can’t find her or Essie,” Zander reported as he ushered him inside.
“They’re not in the ballroom,” Ivan called from the curving staircase.
Sara appeared in the foyer. “I last saw them taking the elevator up to the top floor, Zander.”
“They’re in our private suite?” Zander asked.
“I would assume so,” Sara confirmed. “It’s lunchtime. Will you all stay to join us?”
“Oh, I don’t want to intrude,” Phineas said quickly.
“I always prepare too much food. Go find the ladies and come to the kitchen. I’ll set out additional plates. Ivan, I could use your help? They’re up on the top shelf.”
“You bet, Sara. I don’t suppose you made any of your famous coleslaw?”
“I’m whipping up the dressing right now.”
“Then put me to work,” Ivan said and trailed behind Sara down the hallway toward the kitchen.
“Come with me, Phineas. I have a feeling I know what’s happening. Elevator or stairs?”
“We’re right here,” Phineas said, waving a hand at the staircase.
“My thought exactly.”
The two men ran up the stairs. Both in great shape, they weren’t winded when they reached the third level. Zander led the way to the closed door leading into their secluded floor. When he found the barrier locked, he glanced at Phineas. “Be prepared.”
Wondering what was going on, Phineas followed Zander into a comfortable family room and then into his massive bedroom. A doorway stood ajar in the carved wooden paneling. Phineas suspected when closed that opening would be difficult if not impossible to detect. No sound came from inside.
“Essie’s nursery,” Zander whispered and held his finger up to his mouth before waving Phineas to follow.
As Phineas entered, he felt as if he had walked back in time.
The dark wood of the interior was both elegant and welcoming.
As he glanced around, Phineas smiled at the sight of Tiffanie and Essie curled up together in the crib wearing fancy dresses.
Essie had a stuffie in her arms. Both were completely zonked out.
Relief flooded through him at the angelic scene of the two Littles safe and sound.
The two men walked as silently as possible to the crib. Phineas glanced at Zander. Silent communication zinged between the men that they were the luckiest men on earth.
Essie yawned, drawing their attention. She blinked her eyes open. “Hi, Daddy. We were playing dress-up.”
“I see that, Little girl,” Zander whispered.
“Mmm,” Tiffanie hummed, stretching. Her hand wrapped around the polished wooden slat of the bed, and she glanced wildly around. “Daddy?”
“Hey, Princess. You took a nap. Are you ready to go have some lunch?” Phineas spoke to her as if finding his Little girl in a crib inside a secret room was something that happened every day.
The two Littles looked at each other and giggled as they pushed themselves up to sit on the mattress. “I guess I fell asleep,” Tiffanie said.
“You had fun.” Phineas assisted her out of the crib. “Let me see your dress.”
Tiffanie allowed him to turn her in a circle. She smoothed a hand over the beautiful fabric. “This is so pretty. Essie’s aunt played in these.”
“I love it. And Essie’s dress is very nice as well.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” Essie said, curtsying. “Did you say it’s lunchtime? I’m starving.”
“Sara is setting everything on the table. Shall we help you out of these fine garments, so you don’t get them dirty?” Zander suggested.
“Yes, please,” Essie answered.
While Zander helped Essie, Phineas escorted Tiffanie to the wardrobe and drew the fabric over her head. Underneath, she wore the leggings and tunic that he’d dressed her in that morning. After carefully hanging up the beautiful dress, he smoothed out her hair.
“Thanks, Daddy.” Her stomach growled ferociously. Tiffanie slapped her hand over her abdomen.
“Let’s go feed that beast before your tummy goes on a rampage.” Phineas ushered Tiffanie through the doorway. Essie and Zander followed them.
“We won’t all fit in the elevator,” Essie said sadly.
“Little girls in the lift. Daddies can run down the stairs,” Zander announced and smiled as Essie took Tiffanie’s hand and they dashed to the call button.
Turning to Phineas, he said, “We’re going to stay in shape at least.”
“We’ll need to, to keep up with those two.” Phineas clapped him on the shoulder as they walked to the stairs. The camaraderie of having another Daddy Dom to experience this lifestyle with felt amazing.
Lunch was a rambunctious time. The kitchen rang with laughter as everyone enjoyed each other’s company. Sara entertained them with stories about Ferguson’s Folly’s old days while they devoured the delicious meal she’d created for them.
Phineas saw Tiffanie beginning to wilt before Sara served dessert. “Hey, Princess. Can I take you home before I return to the library?”
“I was going to help Essie….”
Her boss interrupted Tiffanie gently but firmly. “Not happening. We’ve finished everything we need to do today. I’m going to work on some advertising for social media and the local paper. I’m better at doing that on my own. Go home, Tiffanie.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” When Tiffanie gave in so easily, Phineas knew she needed more rest. Each day, he saw an improvement in how long she lasted, even though her recovery wasn’t fast enough for her. Thankfully, supplying her with books helped give her downtime.
Sara set a paper plate containing a few bar cookies in front of Phineas. “Here’s dessert to take with you. Yummy calories.”
“Thank you, Sara. Okay, Princess. Let’s stop in the office and grab your water. Did you finish the entire thing?” Phineas asked as he stood and helped Tiffanie from her chair.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Essie lift her glass and drain the liquid. He wasn’t the only Daddy who understood how important hydration was for Littles.
“Bye, Essie. Bye, Sara. Bye, Zander. Bye, Ivan” Tiffanie waved at the group as he ushered her through the doorway. Phineas nodded before they disappeared out of sight. Farewells followed them out into the hallway.
“I don’t believe you answered me, Princess. Did you drink your morning water?”
“Almost, Daddy.”
“Good girl. Then you’re halfway done,” he said, fairly sure her almost wouldn’t be actually true.
Tiffanie groaned and rolled her eyes. “I’m floating already.”
“I’m glad to hear that. That’s what being hydrated means.”
“Drowned?” she asked, making a face.
“I’d prefer you swam.” Phineas stepped into the office and grabbed her bottle from the end table next to the settee. He nodded in admiration. She’d finished most of it. “You did a great job. I bet you can polish this off before we get to our place.”
She was quiet as he led her out the front door and helped her into her driver’s seat. “Are you okay to drive home, Tiffanie?” he asked.
“Yes, Daddy. I’m thinking about where my home is.”
“Oh? Is something bothering you? I meant our place together.”
“I don’t really have a home, do I? I live with Ivan and with you.”
Phineas sank down to kneel in the space created by the open car door. “Ivan took care of you when you needed him most. Now that we’re together, would you consider moving in with me?”
“For how long? You’re going to get fed up with having a sick girlfriend.”
“Whoa. There’s a lot to unpack there.” He held up his index finger. “First, you’re not sick, but even if you were, I wouldn’t tire of helping you. That’s what couples do. You and I are a duo now.”
“But….”
He shook his head and interrupted. “Let me talk first, and then you can ask anything you want.” He lifted another finger. “Two. The moment I made you mine, I claimed a lifetime of togetherness.”
Her gaze focused above his head. Phineas suspected she replayed his words.
She was his. When their eyes met again, he held up another finger.
“Three. You are my Little girl. Even if you were in perfect health, I would want to cherish and tend to you. That’s what Daddies do.
That’s what this Daddy in particular needs. ”
“Your home is with me. If you don’t like my place, we’ll start shopping.
The only reasons we’ve alternated houses are my work obligations and how close you and your brother are.
I thought you’d like to spend some time with him instead of being alone while I was at an evening event or covering a shift at the library due to a staff member’s emergency.
Maybe you’d prefer making my bed where we sleep every night, so you’re sure where home is? ”
She nodded eagerly.
“So, I’ll text Ivan and tell him we’re moving your clothes to my house permanently this weekend. And I’ll let you decide if you’d like to visit him for dinner when I’m not at home. We can have Ivan over for pizza at our place as well. Okay. It’s your turn. What did I miss?”
“I’d like to have a place where I know I’m staying. Giving up my apartment and my personal space was tough when I got sick.”
Phineas understood completely. “I can see that. Do you need a spot reserved for you at our house? Maybe a special reading chair in our bedroom or in the family room?”
“My nursery is amazing. That’s my space, right?”
“All yours.”
“But that chair thing sounds good. Like a chair with an ottoman?”
“Oh, yeah. You need that,” he agreed. “Any other worries, Little girl?”
She shook her head. “Thanks for understanding, Daddy.”
“I’m glad you told me what’s bothering you. I want to hear what’s happening inside your brain.”
“I’m really excited to go home now, Daddy.”
He leaned forward to kiss her lips before nuzzling his mouth next to her ear and whispering, “Drink your water.”
Her giggle went straight to his heart. Her worried tone had evaporated, and the stress lines around her mouth had vanished. Phineas kicked himself for not realizing she felt insecure. “You’re mine forever, Little girl.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
His heart brimmed with adoration for this enchanting woman. “I love you, Little girl. Now drive home safely. Fair warning, I’m going to make you say that four hundred times when I get home. Maybe even scream it,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at her suggestively.
When she blushed, he stood and closed her door with a firm hand. To his surprise, she rolled down the window a scant couple of inches to say, “I’ll try to wait.”
Instantly, the meaning of her statement aroused him. He pulled out his phone and sent her a message. “No touching, Little girl.”
She responded with a waving hand emoji. What did that mean? As her car drove away, Phineas shifted his cock in his pants. This would be a long afternoon.