That's all fine and dandy, but my focus is firmly on the bright-pink sippy cup in his hand. I've never had one of those.
He notices me staring and not taking it out of his outstretched hand and wiggles it. "You went quiet so I made an educated guess that you were feeling Little? Am I wrong, Lulu?"
Tears blur my vision and my Little side wants so badly to drag him into a bear hug that expresses all of my appreciation. And because Daddy is absolutely right that I'm feeling exceptionally small right now, I launch off the couch and wrap my arms around his hips.
"Thanks, Daddy," I whisper and quickly flop back onto the couch.
He chuckles when I make grabby-hands at my milk. Like every fantasy I've ever had, Daddy pulls a blanket over my lap and turns a princess movie on for me.
"Do you think you can feed the princess in your tummy or are you too stressed to eat?"
I was never allowed to watch movies, so seeing this girl with the really long blonde hair is by far the best thing ever.Ohmigawd!
"Lulu."
My neck spasms when Daddy steps in front of the TV just as the singing starts, and as much as I like him, I want to see the pretty dress! Then his face fills my vision as he crouches and he looks so stern.
I stop breathing.
"If you can't listen, Daddy will turn the TV off. I asked if you can stomach some food, baby. Answer me."
Oh, oops. Shaking my head, I try so hard not to peek over his shoulder. My teeth nibble on the inside of my cheek and that gives me a great idea! "Daddy?"
"Yes, little one?" he says. Goodness, he's so patient.
"Straw?"
He raises a brow. "Does my girl have manners?"
"Pwease," I whisper and immediately turn bright red. Big Lulu comes rushing to the surface to scold the ease in which I slipped into baby talk. Only when I'm particularly comfortable will I talk in Little space but I mostly prefer to be silent. There's peace in silence when I'm Little.
"So sweet," Preston murmurs, eyeing me like I'm something special. He doesn't move, and my anxiety rises. Then he does the one thing to soothe my worries. "Sue dropped this off a little bit ago."
Shifting, he reaches beneath the coffee table and procures?—
"BINKS!" No grabby-hands this time. I snatch my blankie from Daddy and drag it up to my face.
"I'll get you a straw for your milk, little girl," he says with warmth.
I don't know why he thinks I need a straw for my milk but I don't care. Binks is here, I'm watching princesses, and my milk is cooling me down enough to burrow back under a pile of blankies.
For once I don't have a worry in the world.
twelve
PRESTON
Nobody will ever know my tiny Little girl scared me so fucking bad I almost pissed my pants. Nobody. Can. Ever. Know.
My friends would never let me live it down. Holy fuck though. Lulu was like a silent assassin tiptoeing through my house way before she's supposed to be awake.
And by assassin, I mean she's murdering the pink straw I gave her. In less than twenty minutes, she's mutilated the poor thing. I'm convinced if she tried to suck anything through it, it wouldn't do shit.
Silently so as not to disturb her, I make my way to the room beside mine. I've been slowly creating the nursery of my future Little's dreams but with this whole land being under construction for the better part of two years, it's been slow. After learning more about Lulu's upbringing, I'm glad the walls are still white and the room bland. She'll have the opportunity to create the space she's always wanted now.
I find what I need in the nightstand and rip the package open on the way back to the kitchen. With the door to the nursery closed, and my offering cleaned, I'm ready to push my girl a bit.
"Hey, baby," I murmur, and take a seat beside her. She blinks over at me and offers me a smile before anxiously tickling herchin with her pink blanket. The fabric looks loved and worn, as if it's spent a lifetime being her only comfort.
