Chapter 15
In the following days, Roman was pleased to note that Coco had more energy and slept better.
He’d talked to Dr. Richards about the nightmares while his Little had played with Zoey.
According to the doctor, Littles often were very sensitive and took longer to recover from a scare.
He suggested waiting a couple of weeks to see if the nightmares resolved on their own or if she needed some additional support.
Impressed by the kind doctor, Roman had followed his advice.
As it turned out, Dr. Richards was spot on about everything.
He understood why everyone in their community trusted him.
Even Coco had admitted later, while she hadn’t enjoyed having an exam, Dr. Richards hadn’t scared her at all.
He’d treated her gently and explained everything so she could understand.
Thankfully, the flurry of contacts from the mall tenants had settled down to those he could handle during his regular work hours.
He would always maintain a direct communication line with them despite allowing his manager to do her job in handling the routine tasks that kept the mall profitable, involved with the community, and safe.
The favorite part of his day was picking up his Little girl from work and hearing all the fun and challenges she’d run into during the day.
Today, he had to work to look normal when he pulled up to the sidewalk near the employee entrance.
The drama this week involved a client’s dog that had given birth to a litter of puppies and needed medical assistance with the delivery.
The owner had chosen to leave the mother and her offspring with the clinic to recover for several days.
The smallest pup had required a lot of hand-feeding and protecting from the others, who constantly nudged her out of the way.
Each day, Coco had dragged herself away from the clinic, worried about how Muffin would do without her there to take care of it.
Yesterday following a phone conversation to update the owner on the progress of all the dogs, Coco been particularly upset because the woman had mentioned that the runt wouldn’t be sellable.
She announced her plan to drop off the undesirable pup at the animal shelter on her way home when she collected the others.
Coco was sure the pup would die without its mother and was heartbroken.
Today, his Little appeared with tears running down her cheeks.
She’d gotten halfway to the car before she turned around to face the building again.
Coco had taken two steps when the door opened again.
Sofia and Isabella walked out carrying a basket and a bag of supplies.
Roman slipped out from behind the wheel to watch and listen.
“I can’t leave Moo… Muffin,” Coco said, stumbling over the name she’d given to the cocker spaniel pup.
“I’d hope not,” Sofia said with a smile. “You got further than I guessed. I lost the staff pool.”
“What?” Coco asked, staring at the twins.
“I think I won,” Isabella crowed. “I guessed you’d take seven steps and run back to the door.”
“Are you making fun of me?” Coco asked.
“No. We’re bringing you Muffin. Your Daddy asked if he could buy her and the owner agreed. You may not thank us after you have to keep getting up every two hours to feed her,” Sofia said.
Coco turned back to stare at Roman. When he nodded, she whooped and raced back to throw her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Daddy!”
“You’re very welcome, Little girl. Go get your puppy.”
“Remember, Coco. You may do your very best to help Muffin survive and she might not make it. Often when a puppy is rejected, the mother and the other pups sense something is wrong with it. I don’t see any signs of illness, but that possibility exists.
You are giving Muffin the very best chance she has to survive, but that may not be enough,” Sofia told her gently as she rejoined the twins on the sidewalk.
“I know. But I have to try. She’s worth it,” Coco told her.
“She is,” Isabella said. “We’re a call away if you need anything, and you are to bring her to work with you each day. Even when she’s old enough to stay at home. We like the idea of a well-socialized office dog hanging out in the office. The staff loves the idea.”
“Remind her of that when Muffin eats her favorite shoes,” Sofia said with a grin.
“You all rock. Thank you so much,” Coco said.
“Don’t thank us. Your Daddy arranged it all. I just put together a goodie bag of things you’ll need to take care of her for a while. Don’t blame me on Monday when you’ve got big black circles under your eyes,” Isabella teased.
“She’ll nap when Muffin sleeps,” Roman assured her. “Now, do I get to see this creature?”
“Creature?” Coco said, appalled. “Muffin is adorable!”
She accepted the basket from Sofia, and Roman stepped forward to take the heavy bag. “Look, Daddy. This is Muffin. She’s going to love you as much as I do.” With tears gleaming in her eyes, Coco held the basket where Roman could see her.
“She is tiny,” Roman said and knew he’d love the puppy as much as Coco did. “I’ll hold her when we get home so I can make sure not to drop her.”
“You won’t hurt her, Daddy. I’ll show you how to take care of her,” Coco rushed to assure him.
“Thank you, Little girl. I can’t wait. Shall we head back to the house?”
“Yes, let’s go. I can’t wait to fix the perfect spot for Muffin. She’ll need somewhere warm,” Coco told him.
“A couple of very smart cookies sent me a list of things to order. Everything came today. That puppy is going to live in the Taj Mahal,” Roman joked as he tucked Coco and her precious cargo into the passenger seat before setting all the other supplies in the back seat.
“Thank you,” he called to Sofia and Isabella, who stood with their arms wrapped around each other’s waists. His Little girl couldn’t have landed in any better place than at their clinic.
Coco chattered to Muffin on the way home.
She settled the small pup in its new warming station when they got home and took advantage of a short time break between feedings to get everything organized on a special section of the kitchen island.
When that was finished, Coco fixed a small bottle and fed Muffin.
Instantly, the tiny creature fell asleep.
“Back into her safe spot, Coco. Now, it’s Daddy’s turn to change and feed you,” Roman directed. When she returned, Roman walked her to the nursery and changed her out of her work clothes and into leggings and a top.
“What are we having to eat?” she asked.
“I made some cheesy noodles. I think you’ll love them.”
“Let’s go eat,” Coco said, bouncing on her toes.
Roman dished up a large bowl of his concoction. “Come sit on Daddy’s lap at the table and we’ll try out this new dish.”
He lifted her onto his thighs and tucked a napkin in her neckline. “I think we need to get you some bibs.”
“I’m not eating that, Daddy. Look at all that stuff in there.”
“You’ll hurt my feelings if you don’t try it. Three bites.”
“No way. What is that green stuff? Spinach? Do you have any noodles without the vegetables in it?” she asked, stretching tall to check out the stove for another pot.
“Three bites, Coco.” Slowly, he’d added hints of vegetables to her food. Dr. Richards had given him a list of high-iron foods to supplement her diet.
Roman took the first bite and hummed his approval of the dish. It really was quite spectacular. He had added much more cheese than he would have used in the past to enhance the flavor, hoping it would disguise the healthy additions. “I’d eat this every day.”
His Little girl looked very skeptical. “But there’s green stuff, Daddy.”
“Try it for me, Coco.” He scooped up a couple of noodles.
Reluctantly, Coco opened her mouth a small amount. Before she could change her mind, Roman swooped the bite inside. He watched Coco close her mouth and wrinkle her nose. Slowly, that expression faded as she chewed. She tilted her head as if she were considering the flavor.
Roman took another big bite, hoping to create some urgency for her as he made a dent in the contents. “Mmmm.”
“Don’t eat it all, Daddy!”
Score! She likes it.
“Try another bite, Little girl.” This time he gave her a normal-sized bite. She leaned forward to meet the fork eagerly and chewed, squirming with happiness on his lap. “Not too bad?”
“I get three bites to decide, Daddy,” she told him with a giggle and opened her mouth.
“You do,” he agreed, tickled by her sweet Little side. “I think Daddy should charge a kiss tax.”
“A kiss tax?” she said, watching him collect another bite for her.
“Three bites for Coco, and Daddy gets a kiss.”
She pursed her lips as if debating the suggestion. With a heavy sigh, Coco agreed, “Fine. I’ll kiss you.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
Roman loved the delicious taste on her lips. He deepened her light kiss, cradling the back of her head with his hand. They were both breathing hard when he lifted his head. “I think you are my favorite dish.”
“Daddy! That’s silly. I’m a Little girl. Not food.”
He waggled his eyebrows at her comically before continuing to feed her. Spending time with his Little girl was better than anything he’d ever done.
“Coco? Are you ready to move into your nursery permanently? We could grab anything left at your place this weekend.”
She froze for a minute and then nodded. “I don’t want to go back to my room. I need to give my landlady two-weeks’ notice.”
“We’ll go tomorrow and pack your things. Do you have furniture?”
“No, Daddy. Just my clothes and a few possessions. I’m not really a stuff person. It’s just been me and Zelda for a long time.”
“And now, Daddy and Muffin,” Roman suggested.
“Thank you for Muffin, Daddy. You are awfully good to me.” She waved a hand over their meal.
“Taking care of you makes me happy, Coco. I hope you know I love you, Little girl.”
“You love me?” she asked. Tears welled in her eyes, making her eyes glimmer like blue sapphires.
“I love you more than I thought possible.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.” She threw herself against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Hugging him tight, she pressed kisses over his neck and shoulder. “I’m so lucky.”
“Let me see you, sweetheart,” Roman ordered sternly. He leaned back, wiping her tears away. “I think we’re both lucky. I think we owe PLAYTIME an excellent review, don’t you?”
“Could we have Isabella and Sofia over with their Daddy, Noah, for dinner?” Coco suggested. “You could make this again.”
“Want to invite Zoey and Dr. Richards as well?” Roman suggested.
“I’d love to see Zoey again. He’ll come as Zoey’s Daddy and not my doctor, right?”
“Dr. Richards will be off doctor duty unless someone gets hurt. Then I’m sure he would step in to help.”
“Then I guess it will be okay.”
Roman kissed her lips lightly and then gestured at the empty bowl. “Should I get more noodles?”
“Yes!” she cheered, raising her arms over her head as if she were cheering.
Roman smiled as he dodged. Life with Coco was amazing. I’m a very lucky Daddy.