“Sure, I like those, but I also like science fiction, scary movies, and those with cute animals. Really just about anything. I don’t get to watch many movies, so they’re always fun.”
“I can’t do scary movies. They give me bad dreams,” she said.
“You won’t watch any of those, young lady,” he said, laying down the law.
“I could if I wanted to. You’re not the boss of me.”
“Really? I thought that’s exactly what a daddy was. The rule maker,” Max told her.
A soft snort came from the face buried in the pillow. Yeah, she was feeling better. He loved that Saylor had spunk. She would keep him on his toes.
“Some of your nursery furniture will start arriving today. I think everything is here by the middle of next week. Would you like to have everyone over during the weekend for a picnic? The guys would like to help put everything together,” Max asked.
“Nursery?” she asked, looking back at him.
“Yes, Saylor. Every little girl needs a nursery.”
“Brooklyn showed me the cute characters you painted on her walls. It looks like such a fun room.” Saylor turned her face back to the pillow and coughed.
“Too much talking, little girl. How about if you let me talk?”
Saylor nodded, blinking her eyes to get rid of the tears that had flooded them. He could see the tension ease from her body. She wasn’t feeling even fifty percent of her normal energy level yet.
“I thought maybe you and I could design your nursery together. How about if you think about things you really like? Stuffed animals, flowers, cartoon characters? Don’t tell me now—I’d like you consider what would make you happiest.”
Max’s watch buzzed. Her ten minutes were up. He withdrew the thermometer, deliberately circling her puckered, nerve-rich entrance with the rounded tip. She clenched her bottom and squirmed. He loved that she was so responsive.
“Medicine, baby,” he announced and shook a thick, bullet-shaped suppository out of the package Zale had left for him. How the medic had the supplies prepared for all the Littles when they simultaneously got sick amazed him. Zale definitely took his job seriously.
Quickly, Zale pressed the medicine into Saylor’s tight passage and held his finger in place. He’d discovered her natural reaction was to try to push the dose out. By anchoring it in place until the waxy substance melted inside her, Max felt more confident that she would get all the medicine she needed.
As soon as he removed his finger, she rolled over to look at him with the cutest pink cheeks. “Let Daddy get cleaned up, and then you can decide whether you wish to get up and watch a movie or nap.”
Saylor immediately opened her mouth to answer that question. He held up one finger and waggled it to remind her she wasn’t supposed to talk. Immediately, she snapped her jaw closed and nodded.
When he came back from washing his hands, Max brought a diaper with him. If she got up, gravity alone would draw the mixture inside her out. To keep her from being embarrassed by that, he’d wrap her bottom.
His little girl was almost asleep. Max hesitated in the doorway. He could let her sleep. When Saylor shifted as if she couldn’t get comfortable, he suspected her body had tired of lying around and she needed to change positions. He would take advantage of moving her to change the sheets as well, to kill any germs clinging to the material.
Moving quickly, he wrapped her bottom in the padded garment and pulled a T-shirt over her head, helping her thread her arms through the sleeves. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head when she fussed. “You’re so perfect, little girl. Just let Daddy care for you.”
“But… I don’t…”
“No talking, remember?” he asked. “I don’t want you to get cold or worry about being messy. Bottom medicine works great, but we’d have to put a plug in to trap the mixture inside you. Would you rather wear some special panties or have me slide an anal plug into your cute bottom?”
Immediately, she patted the top of her diaper. “You’re not making fun of me, are you?”
“No, baby girl. I’m taking care of you. Daddies don’t set up their Littles to tease them. At least the daddies I hang out with would never consider doing that. When you feel better, we’ll discuss what age your Little is happiest at. I will warn you I will always protect and care for you at a young age when you are sick or tired.”
She hesitated before nodding.
“Thank you for asking questions if you are worried about something. I know your throat still hurts and it’s hard to remember not to speak unless you have to. Would you like another throat soother?”
This time, her answer was quick. She nodded eagerly. Max grabbed one from the dresser and unwrapped it for her. Saylor reached out to take it and pop the lozenge bulb into her mouth.
Delighted with her cuteness, he gathered Saylor into his arms and carried her into the family room. Propping her up on the cushions at the end of the couch, Max sat down and draped her legs over his lap. He pulled a soft throw down from the back of the couch and draped it over her. She wiggled a bit to situate herself and sighed with contentment.
Max grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. He clicked over to a streaming service he’d added that morning and selected a popular animated movie. Saylor gathered the blanket in her hands and turned on her side to look directly at the action on the screen. A happy smile curved her lips as she watched.
