"Whatcha thinking about?" he asks, settling me on the warm bench in the shower while he undresses.
I shake my head, and smile at my pink toenails. Daddy did them last night while we watched TV.
"Lulu."
Looking up, I see he's shirtless and eyeing me with an intensity that makes me sit up a bit straighter. Maybe I can paint his toes tonight.
"Baby, what are you thinking about?" he says around a small snort when it's clear I've been staring at his bare feet for a beat too long.
"Nuffin, Daddy."
Wow, big smile from Daddy!
"Alright, little Lulu. Let's get you cleaned up and in your favorite yellow dress."
Wiggling, I hop off the bench in excitement. "Piggies?"
Daddy steps in beside me in a pair of boxers and bright eyes. "Yes, I can do your pigtails. Be careful, please. Floor is slippery."
Keeping my heels on the ground I lift the balls of my feet and tap them in the small puddles. "Wook!"
"So fun, baby!" Daddy exclaims and grabs my bubblegum hair wash.
I wonder if it's edible? Daddy washes me clean while I ponder if the bubbles would tickle my tongue if I were to eat them. He tugs a few giggles out of me when he scrubs my feet, but I like it. Almost as much as I like the big fluffy towel he wraps around me after the shower.
Oh, but wait…it gets even better! “Pwetty!” I whisper in awe when Daddy pulls my dress from the closet once we’re dry.
“Pretty dress for my pretty girl,” Daddy coos, and helps me slip on a pair of cozy purple panties. They even look like cotton candy. And the sandals he chooses match!
I can’t wait to show Cora. This is going to be the best first playdate ever.
eighteen
PRESTON
Lulu's scared and as much as my instincts are telling me to shield her and give in to her desire to go home, I know without a doubt that this is good for her. I've had this playdate planned with Sue since the morning after Lulu told me what happened to her father.
My girl needs a support system larger than myself. I want to be selfish and keep her with me constantly, but I need to give her a better life than the one before. She deserves all the aunties and uncles to dote on her and Little friends to drag her into mischief.
So I'll swallow my caveman urges to keep her locked at my hip and encourage her tolive. "Baby," I murmur and crouch so I'm shorter than her. She's still the uncertain woman I met a month or so ago, and requires care that respects her trauma. "You like Cora, remember?"
To be completely honest, I'm already so proud of Lulu for being in Sue's home while in Little mode. I don't think she's let her Little out around other people or in new places as often as many girls have. This is a huge step.
Cora's practically bouncing on her toes, waiting for Lulu to open up and be excited about toys. My sweet girl looks on the verge of tears, but she does nod in response to my question.
"Cora sweetie, come here," Sue says, trying to wrangle her Little in. "Give Lulu some time to adjust."
When Cora is out of earshot, Lulu peeks up from her pink sandals and my heart stutters. Her bottom lip wobbles and tears gather in her lashes. "I scared, Daddy," she whimpers.
Goddamnit, I want to cry right along with her every time she sheds a tear. I've been told many times that finally finding my Little will be like nothing anyone could ever describe. I was warned my feelings would go beyond any depth I could imagine and I'd constantly want to rip my beating heart out and give it to her because that would be the only representation of how much I love her.
"Thank you for telling me, little one. How about we all hang out together? That way you can have me close by if you need me?" Sue and I had some stuff to talk about, specifically the threat of the MC having met one of our girls, but it can wait. My girl needs some support and guidance. That's what I'm here for.
Lulu nods and sucks on her thumb. I pick her up and settle her on my hip, happy she's not stressed enough to slip out of Little space. "Come on, let's go see if we can find some blocks."
A little wiggle and a small clap of her hands tells me I've made the best decision. What's even better is when we walk into Sue's living room, Cora is sitting in front of her Mommy, building a tower out of the same blocks I have at home for Lulu.
I meet my friend's eyes and mouththank you. Sue's my best friend, so when I told her what makes my Little more comfortable at home, she made it happen here too.
