“You too, Sir.”?
How was your flight?”?
“Good. It was Dallas’ first flight, but she enjoyed it.”?
“Well, aren’t you brave!” Master Derek exclaimed.?
“I got wings for being such a Big girl,” Dallas said, proudly showing him the wings that were attached to her dress.
“Master Derek, they need you in the Littles’ Wing,” someone called.?
“Excuse me, duty calls, but I would love to have dinner with you one night. I’ll have Erika set it up with you,” he said.?
Dallas perked up at the idea of having dinner with Sadie.?
“Looking forward to it,” Pike said before Master Derek walked away.
Looking back, Derek addressed Dallas, “I think your wings are very cool, Dallas.”?
She smiled. “Thank you, Sir.”?
“Bitty, any of the men on the Ranch you see who aren’t Littles should be addressed as Master, okay? Daddy should have told you that earlier, but you used very good manners even without Daddy telling you,” Pike told Dallas when Derek was out of earshot.
She giggled, “Yes, Master Daddy.”?
Pike laughed and ruffled her hair. “Are you ready to go to our room, Bitty? Moses should have our luggage there soon.”?
“Yas, huh, Daddy,” Dallas said, taking his hand again. She loved holding Daddy’s hand. It made her feel safe and secure.?
“Daddy?” she asked as they walked to the elevators.?
“Yes, Bitty?”?
“Can I ask things about the trip or is it all a secret?”??
“You can ask me anything you want about our stay at Rawhide.”?
“Am I gonna go to school?” She pulled Teefs closer, seeking her comfort.?
Pike pressed the button for their floor before turning to look at her. He pulled her close and his large hands rubbed up and down her back.?
“You are going to go to the nursery.”?
She frowned. “But I’m six.”?
He picked her up under her arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He rocked her back and forth. “Well, that’s part of why Daddy wanted to bring you to Rawhide. I don’t think you feel six. I think maybe you feel? younger and you’re scared to tell Daddy.”?
Unable to answer him, Dallas buried her face in his neck and willed herself not to cry.?
“You know, Daddy will love you no matter what age you are. He doesn’t care if you’re two months,? two years, or twelve. He just wants you to be happy.”?
“I’m not a baby. I’m six,”? she lied again.?
“Dallas, I? understand you’re struggling with what you need, but I won’t tolerate you lying to me. Something has been bothering you for months. It began when you first started acting out and even though you’re back to being Daddy’s good girl, it’s still bothering you. Since it’s been so hard for you to talk to me about it, I? had to brainstorm what might be wrong. It took me awhile to pinpoint the exact time it started, but I did eventually. Everything began the weekend Daddy was in the hospital and you stayed with Uncle Travis, Uncle Maddox, and Reagan, I can only assume it’s because you got to see firsthand the life Reagan? lived and you realized you wanted that too and that’s perfectly okay, Little girl.”?
Dallas couldn’t believe that her Daddy was able to read her so well. That was exactly when her identity confusion happened. She was the oldest Little in the friend group and she had always loved that. She liked helping her “Uncles” with the Little ones who all played about two or three years old, but when Daddy had a kidney stone and he’d been in the hospital and she’s stayed with Reagan and her two Daddies, she’d been shocked to realize how envious she was of the Little girl. Reagan played at a very young age. She took bottles and wore diapers. Her Daddies took turns feeding her, rocking her, and taking care of her.?
Pike took wonderful care of Dallas, but that weekend had sparked a deep longing inside of her. She wanted to be completely dependent on her Daddy like Reagan was on her Daddies. She wanted?to have even her most intimate needs met by him—to have him control every aspect of her day down to making all the decisions for her.?
