Chapter 16
Muffin thrived in her new home. Of course, the puppy imprinted on Coco and was most content when close to her.
Roman was a close second in her affection as well as anyone else who happened to have a bottle when Muffin was hungry.
Her tummy bulge was adorable as well as all the different sleeping poses she contorted herself into.
Coco carried her frequently in a sling across her chest. Visitors to the clinic loved seeing her, and Coco easily kept tabs on her during the day. Of course, Muffin couldn’t come into the surgery area. Coco needed to focus.
“Hey, Coco. I got an email about this anesthesia course for vet techs,” Sofia told her at lunch one day as she passed over a page she’d printed out. “Would you be interested in attending?”
“I’d love to go if I can afford it,” Coco said, scanning the page quickly.
“There’s a discount for vets who send employees to train.
It’s one of the benefits of a professional group I belong to.
If you’re ready to dive in, I’ll pay for you to go.
I would ask that you promise to stay at my clinic for a couple of years to repay my investment,” Sofia said, watching Coco’s face carefully.
“Are you kidding? I don’t plan to leave here until you retire. But I can pay,” Coco said, crossing her fingers.
“I hoped you’d say that. Talk to your Daddy to make sure he’s okay with you taking care of Muffin and doing coursework outside of the clinic. That will take some of your free time. I’m okay if you study here, of course, when the schedule allows,” Sofia assured her.
Isabella looked at Coco and they both laughed. The practice was too busy to allow them free time. The two vet techs were busy constantly.
“Do you think we need another employee?” Sofia asked.
“Only if you add another doctor and a couple more exam rooms,” Coco told her honestly. “You could expand. Pet owners love and trust you.”
“But then my clients might have to see the other doctor,” Sofia said. “I think I might be too much of a control freak for that.”
“You think?” Isabella teased her twin.
“Okay, I’ll table that for a while. If Coco is working more in the operating room, we could use an extra set of hands to clean kennels and sanitize rooms—even stock the shelves for us,” Sofia suggested.
“Would you consider hiring a student in a vet tech program? They might like to get a firsthand view before they finish all their coursework,” Coco suggested.
“I like that idea, Coco. I’ll contact the local community college and see what they suggest. Okay, work talk is over.
” Sofia stopped and looked at her watch.
“Well, for the next twenty minutes of our lunch. I’m so excited to come over for dinner, Coco.
It’s very nice of you and your Daddy to invite us. ”
“I can’t wait to see your nursery. You’ll have to come see ours, too!” Isabella told her.
“That would be fun. My Daddy’s making his world-famous, cheesy noodles for us. And some other things on the grill,” Coco said.
“Yum. I love pasta. Does your Daddy sneak vegetables into everything?” Isabella asked.
“Always. But these are really good. I promise,” she added when the twins looked skeptical.
“Our Daddy does, too,” Sofia shared.
“Bad news, ladies. Violet Adams is next on the schedule and she’s here thirty minutes early. She’s already sat in the waiting room for ten minutes. I think I see steam coming out of her nostrils.”
“I’ll go. Muffin will charm her into pleasantness,” Coco volunteered.
“You’re an angel on earth,” Isabella said and added, “Good luck.”
“Muffin’s on the job. Aren’t you, sweetness?”
“I’ll finish my sandwich and be there in five,” Sofia promised.
“Make it ten. We’ll be fine.”
As Coco headed for the exam room where the receptionist had sent the unpleasant woman, she heard Isabella tell her twin. “Your best hire yet.”
Coco hesitated a bit to hear Sofia’s response and laughed when the pleasant woman teased her twin with, “I used to think that great find was you, but…”
“I am so going to tell Daddy on you,” Isabella threatened.
Amused, Coco left to deal with Violet and her ancient cat, Sunshine.
“Do you think they’ll like my nursery, Daddy?” Coco asked.
“I think they will be very jealous of your beautiful room,” he assured her just as he had the last five times she’d asked.
“I don’t want them to be jealous,” Coco told him.
“Be careful. Lying will get your bottom spanked.”
She swallowed hard. Her Daddy didn’t mess around with spankings. If she earned one, Coco would feel it for a day at least. “Okay, maybe a smidge of envy would be okay.”
“I’m sure they will love your room. Do you want to play pin the tail on the Siamese cat before or after dinner?” Roman asked.
“Before, Daddy. Then we can eat. Then dessert. Followed by another game.” Coco listed off the evening’s events on her fingers.
Before she could get to her pinky, Roman reminded her, “Everyone has bedtimes, Little girl. You can’t plan things too late.”
“But it’s Friday night, Daddy.”
“Coco…” he said, drawing her name out in an unspoken warning.
The doorbell ringing saved her. Coco walked as fast as she could without bouncing Muffin around in her sling.
“Let me answer the door, Little girl.”
Sighing loudly, Coco stopped in the foyer and waited for her Daddy to join her. As he walked by, Roman popped her a sharp swat on her bottom. The sting made her wipe the impatient look off her face. She hovered at his elbow when he opened the door.
“Hi, Roman,” the twins greeted him before sneaking past to hug Coco sideways to avoid squashing Muffin.
“Come in, Sofia, Isabella,” Roman teased since they were already inside.
“My apologies. They’re a bit excited,” the man with them said.
“Coco is, too.” Roman stepped back and waved him inside. “You must be the brilliant Noah Sandoval, the inventor of PLAYTIME.”
“I don’t know how brilliant I am, but the program seems to work,” Noah said, holding his hand out to shake Roman’s. “You’re Roman?”
“Yes. Thank you for helping me find my Little girl,” Roman said quietly.
“I’m glad it matched you two. Coco looks happier and healthier every day,” Noah told him.
“Thanks. I worked hard to figure out what she needed,” Dr. Richards said with a laugh from the open doorway.
“Dad-dy.” Zoey drew that word out to at least two syllables. There might have been four there. Coco, Sofia, and Isabella giggled as Zoey joined them.
Coco rushed forward to hug Zoey. After the petite blonde oohed and aahed over Muffin who wiggled with excitement in her sling, Coco said, “Come on. I was just going to show Sofia and Isabella my nursery.”
“Ooo! I can’t wait to see it.” Zoey turned and waved goodbye to her Daddy before taking Coco’s hand.
Dr. Richards’ voice followed the Littles down the hall. “And just like that, we’re forgotten…”
“Daddies are so silly,” Isabella said.
“I’m glad they have each other. Everyone needs friends who understand,” Zoey shared.
“I’m so glad you’re all here. I need friends who understand, too!” Coco said.
“We have lots of Littles here. And they’re all amazing. I’ll get my Daddy to have a big party for the whole group soon so you can meet everyone. It can be a lot to have everyone in one big group if you don’t have friendly faces to welcome you in the beginning,” Zoey shared.
“We’ll introduce you to the Littles,” Sofia assured her as they stepped inside the nursery. “Oh, Coco. I love this room. It’s beautiful!”
“That crib looks so comfortable!” Isabella exclaimed.
Zoey turned in a circle with a smile. “There’s a lot of love in this room.”
Tears filled Coco’s eyes as she sat on the floor with Muffin cradled in her lap. The others joined her, chattering amongst themselves about the decorations in the room.
Zoey’s observation was so true. The nursery had astonished her that first time she’d walked inside it.
Now, the space meant so much more. Coco could picture her Daddy sitting in the rocker, watching her as she slept.
Over there was her punishment corner. She hated that consequence but Roman never left her alone.
He always made sure she was okay—even after she’d been naughty.
Of course, he’d taken such intimate care of her here, making all Coco’s fantasies come true and creating new ones for her.
“Are you okay, Coco?” Isabella asked softly when she noticed Coco wipe her tears away.
“I’m so good. I can’t believe this is my life.”
Zoey reached over and pinched her lightly. “You’re definitely awake! You know all the fun has just started for you. We’re going to have so much fun together.”
“Do you think the others will like me?” Coco asked.
“Of course, they will. Everyone is excited to meet you,” Zoey shared.
A question popped into Coco’s head. “How many met through PLAYTIME?”
“Oh, gosh! A lot. We’d have to ask Daddy to know the total now. Each day there’s more people in different places,” Sofia shared before looking at Zoey and Isabella for help. “Who can you all remember as meeting through PLAYTIME?”
“Us, Madi, Oliver, Neil, and Lydia,” Isabella recited.
“Don’t forget Tim. He found his Daddies on PLAYTIME,” Zoey added. “We’re forgetting someone…”
“Matty and Emma! They found their Daddy on PLAYTIME. And each other!” Sofia said.
“That sounds like a lot of people,” Coco suggested and realized she should entertain her visitors. “I can’t wait to meet them. Would you all like to play a game? Does anyone like Go Fish?”
“I love that game,” Zoey told her.
In a few minutes, Muffin was sleeping in her warming box, and the Littles had stretched out on their tummies with the pile of extra cards in the center.
Coco didn’t think she’d ever laughed so hard.
Zoey dropped her cards at least four times.
Isabella kept lying and getting caught by her sister.
By the time Roman came to get them, Coco was laughing so hard, she almost wet her pants.
Roman took one look at her face and whisked her to the bathroom as he announced, “Little girls, your Daddies would like you to meet them in the dining room.”
“Daddy, you don’t have to help me.” Coco ran to the toilet while frantically pulling down her leggings. Roman closed the bathroom door behind them before freeing her from the tangle her clothes had become. She sat down in the nick of time.
“Thank you,” she said after a few seconds.
“You’re welcome, Little girl. I’m glad you were enjoying yourself so much you forgot to potty.”
“They’re really nice. I’m done, Daddy.”
He had her dry and put back together in a jiffy. As they stood washing their hands at the sink, Coco looked up to see her handsome Daddy in the mirror behind her. His arms reached around her in an almost hug as he rubbed soap over their skin. Her heart ached with happiness.
“Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” he answered before glancing up to meet her gaze. Instantly, he pulled her close. “Are you okay, Coco?”
“I’m better than okay, Daddy.”
“Me too, Little girl. Are you ready to go have some noodles?”
“Yes, please!”