16. Chapter 16
Daphne
She wasn’t sure how long she had been sleeping, but when her bladder finally told her it was time to get up, she groaned and padded off to the bathroom.
She loved that all the bathrooms had heated floors in them.
After taking care of business, she looked in the mirror, taking stock of her face.
She didn’t look like she had just been kidnapped by her insane ex-husband. Surprisingly, she looked happy.
It’s probably because she was deliriously and stupidly happy to have her dream Daddy. He was everything she’d ever wanted, and she patted herself on the back for stopping fighting the attraction she felt towards him. She never felt so safe and knew he would care for her forever.
Walking out of the bathroom, she scowled as she took in the empty room. Where was her Daddy? She knew he wouldn’t have gone far.
Heading into the living room, a very excited Kiera jumped up and sprinted to her, engulfing her in the biggest hug she could give her.
“You’re ok! You’re ok. I was so worried. I’m so glad you’re ok.”
“I am ok, I promise. I’m a little stiff and still get the shivers once in a while, but I am fine. I slept so good I don’t even know what time it is. Or where my Daddy is. Has anyone seen him?”
“Well, you slept all day and all night yesterday. You didn’t even budge when he tried to get you up to eat dinner.
Dr. Dan told us that was completely normal to let your body rest and heal.
But it is 7 a.m. And as far as your Daddy, he had some business to take care of and wanted to leave you sleeping here because he knew how much you needed the rest. He left you your phone with me and said to text him as soon as you woke up and he would come up here,” Uncle Liam explained.
“Wow! I slept like almost 24 hours straight! I’m surprised I didn’t potty in the bed.
I must have been really dehydrated. I’m also starving.
I wasn’t allowed any food while I was there and then I was too tired to eat in the morning, and now I need alla the food.
” As if on cue, Auntie Freya and Ms. Genevieve came through the doors carrying platters of food.
“Did someone say they were hungry?” Auntie Freya came over and placed the trays of food on the ottoman.
“Are we allowed to eat in here? Normally that’s a no-no.” She looked up at the women.
“We are making an exception just for today. You need to rest more than you need to sit at the table. Now then, eat up. I made waffles in the shape of princess crowns. There are eggs and bacon, cheese grits, fresh fruit, and if you still need something sweet, your Auntie Genevieve made some homemade cinnamon rolls.”
“Auntie Genevieve?” She looked up at the woman carrying a tray of ooey gooey goodness.
“Yes, sweet girl. Kiera declared it last night, and that is fine with me.”
“Hmmmm. No. I don’t like it. Auntie Geni is much betterer.” She smiled as she took a plate, and hearing her Aunties laugh, she assumed that was ok. Her plate was snatched out of her hands, and she gasped as she turned around to find her Daddy standing there.
“Daddy!” she squealed and jumped up to give him a hug. “I missed you when I woke up. You weren’t there, and I had the sads.” She sniffled and pouted.
“I’m sorry, Little Panda. I had something to take care of this morning and you were sound asleep, so I just left you snuggled up with your bankie and Blossom. But I’m here now, and it looks like we’re having a picnic and watching cartoons.”
“Uh-huh. We are. Auntie Freya and Auntie Geni said we can’t get used to it, but they were making an exception today cause of everything that happened.”
“They’re right. Normally food stays in the kitchen, but for today, we are going to have a picnic. Now then, what looks good?” She hummed and looked at everything.
“I would like a little bit of everything. Just like a little bit so I can try everything. And then maybe we can split a cinnamon roll?”
“That sounds perfect.” He filled her plate and got her situated with a lap tray on the floor while Liam filled Kiera’s.
“Where is Rae?” she asked as she took a bite of cheesy grits. Mmmmm, her favorite.
Her Daddy leaned over to wipe her mouth. “She is with Murphy and his family. She needed to go with them and wouldn’t accept anything less, so we let her.”
“Will she be safe with them?” she asked, wide-eyed.
“Yes, Little Panda. She will be safe. While the Mason brothers aren’t officially in the mafia with Daddy and your Uncles, they live in our world. They are just as dangerous as any of us. I promise, every woman, Little or not, is safe with any of the men I employ.”
“That’s good.” She hummed as he fed her bites of cinnamon roll from his plate between her taking bites of eggs. They all munched happily while a cartoon played in the background.
“So what are we going to do today?” she asked, drinking her milk.
“Well, I still have some things to take care of, so you and your Aunties and Kiera and probably Rae are going to hang out here today. You can get in the hot tub if you want, color, watch a movie, maybe they’ll even let you bake some cookies for Christmas if you’re extra good.”
“Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I forgot it’s almost Christmas! Kiera! We needs to work on our Christmas list. How could we have forgotten?” She groaned like this was the worst thing to ever happen to her. “Will Santa even know where we are?”
“Yes, of course Santa knows where you are. You guys can work on your Christmas lists today if you want.”
“Can we make hot chocolate, Aunties?” She sniffled and looked at them.
“Of course. Today is about relaxing and resting and doing quiet activities where we can stay warm. Tomorrow, we can probably go sledding. It’s supposed to snow again today, so we are hunkered in until the next round of snow stops.”
“Ooo, yes! Sledding.” She clapped her hands but then paused. “But I can’t. I don’t has any snow clothes.”
“You don’t? Are you sure about that?” Her Daddy had that tone of voice that said he had been up to something, and she eyeballed him suspiciously.
“Do I has sledding clothes, Daddy?”
“I think I might have bought you some things over the past few months that you’ve been here. I’ve been building your closet for a while, Little Panda.” He leaned down and kissed her sweet, icing-covered lips.
“Thanks, Daddy. You the best.” She smiled at him and then finished her fruit and her milk. She was stuffed and happy. “That was so good, Auntie Freya and Auntie Geni. Thank you for cooking and for letting us eat in here.”
“Thank you for your nice manners, Little girl. We love to see that. And you are so welcome. We were happy to prepare a feast for you and the rest of the family.” Auntie Freya bent down to take her plate and they all worked to clear the dishes.
Daphne took the empty tray of cinnamon rolls while Kiera took in the empty plastic cups.
She loved how the adults gave everyone chores that were appropriate for their Little age. It made things more fun.
“Ok, all of your Uncles are almost here and we have some things to do today, so I might be out of pocket for a bit, but I am not leaving the estate. If you need me for anything, even if it’s just to say hello, you call me.”
“I don’t want to bug you while you’re working, Daddy.”
“Are you arguing with your Daddy, Little Panda?” His eyebrow rose as her hands shielded her bottom and she shook her head.
“No, Daddy! I’m just sayin’. I know you’re busy.”
“Listen to me very carefully, Daphne Erin.” Uh oh, the use of her full name got her attention real quick.
Her eyes snapped to his as he captured her chin in his hand.
“You are my number one priority now. If you need anything and don’t call me, I will be upset and you will get your bottom spanked.
Nothing is more important than you, my sweet Little Panda.
Nothing.” Kissing her forehead, she went in for a hug.
“Yes, Daddy, I understand. I will call you if I need you. But can I talk to you privately before you leave for the day?”
“Yes, but let me make one thing clear while everyone is in here. Your dynamic does not change with Uncle Liam. He still has permission to spank your bottom if you deserve it. Now, both of your Aunties have my permission to spank you, as well. And if any of them have to spank you for any reason, you will find yourself over my knee as well. Understood?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’ll be a good girl.”
“Good girl,” he cooed, and she melted in his embrace. She really did love being his good girl. But she also loved being naughty and she hadn’t had a spanking in a while. Today may be a good day to get into some mischief. Nothing major, of course, but something. She would think of something.
“I see that look in your eyes, Little girl. Trust me when I say, my wooden spoon will not feel good on your bottom.” Auntie Geni did that thing with her eyebrow that made her tummy flutter and also made her want to be naughty even more.
Daphne just smirked at her auntie. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Auntie Geni.” She squealed as her Auntie popped her on the bottom with her wooden spoon.
“Let’s go before you get a spanking before the day has even begun, Little Panda.”
They went into their room, and he brought her over to the bench by the window. It was gorgeous outside, with all the fields covered in snow. She couldn’t wait until she could go sledding.
“What did you need to talk to me about?”
“Well. I think I know that at least part of the stuff you have to deal with is Callum. And well. I would like to see him before you…” She made a slashing motion across her throat. “I need to have the last word.”
He studied her for several moments, making her squirm under his intense gaze.
She ran her hands through his silver beard, attempting to calm the beast within.
“I’m sure you don’t want me to see him, but I need to see him.
He took so much from me, and he needs to know that he no longer has power over me.
I trust you and Uncle Finnean, and Uncle Rory, and Uncle Kellan, and whoever else is wherever he is to keep me safe. I really need this, Daddy. Please?”
“I don’t like it, but I understand it. I want you to listen to your Uncles while we’re down there. This is not a place that I will ever allow you again, but I understand you needing to take power back. I think you are incredibly brave.”
“Even though I am ‘just’ a Little girl?” She used air quotes, her voice taking on a much softer, unsure tone.
“That is a lie he told you, Daphne. It’s not true.
There is nothing ‘just’ about you. You are amazing.
Brave. Beautiful. Kind. Funny. Sassy. And you have the biggest heart of anyone I know.
I know you have some struggles with anxiety and self-esteem, but I will help you work through all of those.
And I will remind you every day how amazing you are and how much I love you. ”
“I love you, too, Daddy. More than anything. More than cupcakes and that’s sayin’ something, ‘cause I love cupcakes.” She giggled as he tickled her side. “No, Daddy! Stop! That tickles.” When her giggles stopped, he drew her in for a kiss that stole her breath.
“Ok, my brave girl. Let’s get you dressed in something more than Daddy’s t-shirt and shorts, and then you can go say whatever you need to say to Callum.
I will be with you the whole time, and when we are done, I will bring you back up to your Aunties for a full day of fun.
After this, no more thinking of him, OK? ”
“Yes, Daddy. Are my clothes still in the pink room?”
“They are not. I had them moved in here while you were out in town, and then I finished moving everything while I was waiting on updates. Sitting by the phone was driving me crazy,” he whispered, shaking his head.
He went over to a door she assumed was the closet and what she saw inside was incredible.
Rows and rows of clothes. Beautiful clothes.
Clothes for every season. There were dresses, play clothes, nightgowns, grown-up clothes, and pretty much everything in between.
Her breath hitched as her hands traced the fabric of the dresses.
She saw him standing back, watching her, taking in her reactions.
He really was the best Daddy in the world.
“Thank you, Daddy. For everything. For this, for loving me, and for saving me. Thank you for letting me talk to him even when you don’t want me to.
Just…thank you for everything.” Racing over, she threw herself at him.
He caught her, because of course he did.
He was strong enough to hold her, and she was finally beginning to believe that.
When she was back on her feet, she looked back at the clothes.
He pulled her close. “You need something that says power. Something that screams you are the wife of the Don of the Irish Mafia. Something that says you are my queen and my everything. I have the perfect power outfit for you.”
Once she was dressed, she took a look at herself in the mirror.
She was dressed in black pants, a red button-up, and a black jacket.
A pair of black kitten heels, some diamond jewelry, and a red lipstick capped off her outfit beautifully.
She looked, and felt, incredible. Everything fit her like a glove, and it impressed her.
Turning to her Daddy, she looked for his approval.
The sharp intake of his breath and blown pupils told her everything she needed to know.
Hand in hand, they went in the opposite direction of the living room. Uncle Finnean was standing by a door. Placing his hand on a scanner, the door opened and revealed a stairwell.
She looked at her Daddy and Uncle, resolve in her eyes. “Let’s fucking do this.”
She blushed at her Daddy’s glare, but he didn’t say anything. He was going to let her have this.