Chapter 6
TABITHA
Ifeel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, trying on one gorgeous dress after another.
Although, hers were definitely more “grown up” than the fluffy concoctions Daddy has me prancing around in.
And I’m pretty sure she wasn’t wearing a diaper over a very sore bottom after having been publicly spanked to tears.
But I don’t care. It all still feels like some kind of fairytale.
And Daddy doesn’t stop at the dresses. There are socks and ruffled panty-like things he calls diaper covers—those make me blush the hardest when he asks pretty Jade about them, but she doesn’t even flinch which makes me feel marginally better—and t-shirts and a few sets of overalls that have me wrinkling my nose when I try them on.
“I look like I work on a farm.”
“You look adorable. And trust me, little one, you’ll be grateful for the play clothes when we get home. Lanie loves playing outside, and I have no doubt she’ll be dragging you along every chance she gets.”
He’s in the process of unbuttoning the most recent set of overalls as he speaks. Curiosity pricks at me as I allow him to change me. “Will you tell me about them? Your family?”
A soft smile curves his lips. “They’re your family now too.”
They’re not, but I figure arguing with him will only get me a sore bottom. “Even more reason for me to know all about them before we get home.”
“True.” Stripping the overalls from me, he reaches for what I mistakenly thought was a t-shirt but turns out to be a onesie covered in dancing dogs in tutus.
“I have five brothers and one sister. Your uncles Axel and Bram have already found their Little girls, Lanie and Josie. Well, I suppose it’s more accurate to say Bram and Josie found each other again.
They were childhood sweethearts before we… had to move.”
There’s something in his voice that says the move is more than he’s telling me. But this doesn’t really seem like the time to pry into his family’s secrets, so I simply nod in response. “That’s a lot of siblings.”
“It is.” His smile widens to a grin as he snaps the onesie between my legs and reaches for a pale pink tutu that matches the ones the dogs are wearing. “But we have fun. Mostly. Sometimes it’s a bit stressful, all of us living in one house together, but for the most part we get along.”
“Wait. You all live in the same house? I figured you were just like… neighbors or something.”
“No. We like being together.” Turning me to face the mirror, he meets my gaze in the reflection. “And it allows us to keep an eye on each other’s Little ones.”
Mirror-Me wrinkles her nose. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Disagree, little firecracker. Babies can’t be left to their own devices all day. There will always be an adult around to take care of you, and to discipline you if you’re naughty.”
Shock roots me to the floor, my mouth falling open as I stare at him. “Discipline?” My voice has risen to a squeak. “You mean…”
“Yes, baby. If you’re naughty and Daddy isn’t around, any of the grownups in our house have permission to spank your bare bottom. You might want to keep that in mind if Lanie tries to drag you into any of her naughtiness.”
How the hell could I possibly forget that multiple strangers now have the right to spank me whenever they want?
Once again, the urge to argue, to stomp my feet and tell him I’m absolutely not going anywhere with him wells in my chest, a pressure that makes me feel like I might actually explode.
But he’s already proven he has no problem following through on his threat to spank me in public, so I swallow the protests burning on my tongue and nod my head obediently, silently hating myself for giving in. “Yes, Daddy.”
He beams at me approvingly, making my stomach churn. “Good girl. Let’s go get these pretty dresses paid for and then we can check out the toy store. How does that sound?”
“Okay.”
Seemingly oblivious to my misery, he gets me back into the original blue-and- white dress before we head back out of the dressing room so Jade can ring us up.
The total nearly makes my eyes pop out of my head. In less than an hour, he’s spent more on me than I used to make in a year at my old job. I open my mouth to protest, to tell him it’s way too much to spend on anyone but especially on me when an errant thought freezes the words on my tongue.
If he’s going to keep me as a literal prisoner, spanking me and humiliating me into submission, why shouldn’t I spend his money? It only seems fair, really, given what he’s put me through so far.
That thought lingers in my mind as he pays for my clothes and leads me out of the boutique and into a much larger store. This one is full of items for, I assume, adult babies like me, including an entire wall of stuffed animals.
But none of those catch my attention. No, that is reserved solely for the giant T-Rex hovering above us.
“Daddy!” Stopping dead in my tracks, I tug at his jacket sleeve and point. “I want that one!”
A pretty girl dressed in a onesie and a tutu much like some of the outfits Daddy picked out for me at Solene’s bounces over to us. “Hi! I’m Alice! Anything I can help you folks with?”
Daddy looks down at me. “You really want the dinosaur, baby?”
“Yes. I love him and I’ll die if I don’t get him.”
Dramatic? Maybe. But I don’t care. It’s like I’ve unlocked some kind of secret version of myself. A Tabitha who doesn’t care if she’s being selfish or unreasonable. She wants what she wants, and she’s damn well going to get it.
Chuckling, Daddy points at the ceiling. “We’ll take him.”
Alice’s smile falters. “Oh, um, he’s not actually for sale. That’s just a display.”
Disappointment stabs at my chest and that new, bold Tabitha I’ve just unlocked immediately retreats. But before I can smile politely and tell her it’s okay and I understand, Daddy gives my hand a squeeze.
“Why don’t you go check out the other toys while Daddy negotiates? But don’t leave this store or you’ll be flying home with an extra-sore bottom.”
Embarrassment heats my cheeks, but I do my best to pretend pretty, bubbly Alice isn’t watching us with interest sparkling in her wide eyes. “Okay, Daddy.”
“Good girl. I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
Letting go of his hand, I wander toward the wall of normal-sized stuffed animals. Animals in pretty much every size and color imaginable decorate the wall, and they all call to me.
Maybe I should just pick out a normal toy. It’s not right for me to be causing so much trouble by asking for something I clearly am not meant to have.
Guilt churns in my stomach, but when I turn around to go tell Daddy it’s not worth the hassle, my nose bumps into something hard and I jump back with a scream.
A strong hand grips my arm, yanking me back up against the brick wall I’m now realizing is Daddy’s chest. “Are you okay, baby?” His voice is full of what almost sounds like worry. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, I was just startled.” And now embarrassed all over again for having been so easily scared and making such a fuss. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make a scene.”
Nudging me away from him, Daddy frowns down at me. “You never have to apologize for normal human reactions, Tabitha. Apologies are only for when you’ve done something naughty or you’ve caused someone harm in some way. Understand?”
I don’t, not really. But I’m too scared to find out how he’ll react if I’m actually honest, so I nod. “Yes, Daddy.”
His fierce expression gives way to a warm smile. “Good girl. Did you see anything else you wanted?”
“Oh, no, I don’t need anything else. I don’t even really need the dinosaur. I shouldn’t have made such a fuss over it.”
Eyes narrowing, he leans down, his voice a low, warning growl when he speaks. “That sounds dangerously close to an apology, little girl.”
“It’s not! I’m just…”
What am I doing?
My explanation fades into silence and he gives a sharp nod. “That’s what I thought.” Straightening again, he takes my hand and gives it a tug. “Now, be a good girl and let Daddy spoil you.”
Well… if you insist.
Colt
Once I manage to get my babygirl out of her head, she comes alive in the toy store. And while I normally wouldn’t buy more than a few things on a single shopping trip, I don’t have the heart to kill the light in her eyes.
By the time we finish buying her one of just about everything in the store—including the oversized dinosaur—I’m a bit worried about getting everything home. But my friend Maxwell’s plane should have plenty of storage and if it doesn’t, well, I’ll just arrange to have everything shipped.
“All right, little firecracker. We have one more stop to make and then we need to head to the airport.”
Her bottom lip puffs out. “But I’m having fun.”
God, it’s tempting to give into that adorable pout. And if I hadn’t already told my family the good news, I might actually agree to stay an extra day or two.
But I have already spilled the beans, which means they’ll be waiting for us, and her Auntie Gray will have my head if we don’t show up on time.
Not to mention the glares I’ll get from her Uncle Eli if we aren’t there for the wedding feast he no doubt started preparing for us the moment Ford shared our news.
“Sorry, babygirl. We have a plane to catch.”
That sweet pout takes on a dangerous edge as her eyes narrow. “I don’t want to go. I want to stay here.”
I have to fight the urge to smile at the hint of my little firecracker peeking through. Forcing my expression into stern lines, I meet her glare with one of my own. “And Daddy said it’s time to go.”
“No.”
“Tabitha. Would you like to fly home with a sore bottom? Because I can easily arrange that.”
Color floods her cheeks and she drops her gaze. “No, Daddy.”
“Then be a good girl and give Daddy your hand so we can go.”
She sighs, so softly I almost don’t hear it.
But she does place her hand in my outstretched one, much to my disappointment.
While I won’t allow her to so openly defy me without consequences, I was enjoying that little glimpse of the girl I met last night and it kills me a little to have to be so hard on her.
And, I can admit, I’m enough of an asshole to be disappointed she didn’t give me another reason to spank her pretty little bottom again.
With her small hand tucked in mine, I lead her out of the arcade to another gift shop in the hotel.
This one has more “traditional” gifts rather than ones geared toward Little ones and their caregivers.
And one wall, the one I’m focused on, contains nothing but row after row of round glass globes with various scenes contained in them.
Some of them are simple “Las Vegas” styled globes with the city sign or slot machines or the skyline.
Others are geared more toward Little boys and girls with princesses and unicorns and, to my Little girl’s delight, more dinosaurs.
“Daddy, look!” Her voice pitches up to a squeal as she tugs on my hand, pulling me toward a section of dino-themed snowglobes. “They're so cute!”
“They are very cute, though not as cute as my babygirl.”
Fresh color fills her cheeks, but this time it seems to be from pleasure rather than humiliation. “They’re definitely cuter than me.”
Leaning down, I drop my voice low so only she can hear me. “What happens to naughty Little girls who tell lies?”
“I’m not lying!”
“You absolutely are. You are the cutest damn thing in this hotel and if you lie about it again, Daddy will punish that naughty mouth right here in the middle of the store.”
Cheeks flaming red now, she presses her lips into a thin line. But she doesn’t argue, so I drop the subject and turn back to the snowglobes. “All right, little firecracker. You have a very important job.”
When she looks up at me, her wide golden eyes are full of terror. “Me?” She squeaks.
“Yes.” I nod solemnly. “I promised my nieces new snowglobes to add to their collections, but I need help picking them out. So it’s your job to find the perfect globes for them.”
“Oh.” Perfect white teeth worry at her bottom lip. “But what if I don’t pick the right one?”
“I believe in you, babygirl.”
The truth is, Lanie and Josie will be thrilled with anything I bring them. But instinct tells me that if I let Tabby pick something they’ll squeal and gush over, it will be a much-needed boost to her self-esteem.
Nodding slowly, she steps closer to the snowglobes. While she’s preoccupied, I pick up one of the dinosaur-themed spheres, holding it behind my back while we move down the row.
“Will you tell me about them?” She glances over her shoulder at me. “Your nieces?”
“Ah.” Just the thought of my brothers’ babygirls brings a smile to my face.
“I think you’ll like them. Lanie is a bit of a hellion, always getting into something and keeping her Daddy on his toes.
Josie is a bit older and not quite as rambunctious but she can certainly make her fair share of trouble when she puts her mind to it. ”
“Hmm.” Nose wrinkling as though she’s giving the issue some considerable thought, she scans the offerings. “Are they more tomboys or super girlie?”
“Depends on their mood, though Lanie is a fan of playing outside. Josie would be happiest if she could spend all day curled up on the couch reading. Or writing. She’s an author.”
“Really? That’s so cool.” Pure awe lights my babygirl’s face before she turns back to the snowglobes. “What about this one for Josie, then? It looks like something from a storybook.”
Carefully plucking one of the glass spheres from the shelf, she holds it up for me to examine. It’s a unicorn and a princess, with a bright rainbow behind them, as if they’ve been plucked straight out of a fairytale.
“Perfect. And for Lanie?”
“This one.”
Another princess, but this one is fighting a dragon, her red hair billowing behind her and her sword held high. “Another perfect choice. You’re a natural at this, little firecracker.”
A shy smile curves her lips as she runs a hand over the dragon-fighting princess. “I wish I was more like her. Brave and fearless.”
From what I’ve seen, my babygirl is plenty brave. But if she wants to be a dragon-fighting princess, I have no doubt Lanie will get her there.
All while giving me and my siblings plenty of reasons to redden their adorable bottoms, if Lanie’s history is anything to go by.
Suddenly, I can’t wait to get my babygirl home.