I can’t keep from giggling as I shake my head.
“He didn’t sneak in? How did he get here?”
“I bought him for Halloween last year.”
“Oh. I see. But you didn’t name him?”
I shake my head again. “No. I’m a terrible stuffie owner. He’s been in a dark box all this time. He should be very mad at me. And I didn’t even name him.”
Daddy looks at him closely. “He doesn’t look mad. I bet he’s already forgiven you. Let’s give him a name, shall we? How about Shinkerton?”
I giggle. “No way. That’s not a name.”
“Mmm. How about Brownie?”
I look at the dog and think about his suggestion before nodding. “I like that. He does look like a chocolate brownie.”
“He sure does.” Daddy hands him back to me. “Now, why all the tears? Surely you didn’t start crying because poor Brownie didn’t have a name.”
I shrug and look down, feeling self-conscious now that I’m calmed down.
“Tell Daddy what you’re feeling, Little one,” he encourages, rubbing my back.
I draw in a deep breath. “It’s just that everything has changed, and now my house feels weird and lonely. It’s silly.”
“It’s not silly. Your feelings will never be silly, Sophia. A lot has happened in the last few days. You’ve learned things about yourself you didn’t know were true. It’s natural you would be feeling out of sorts and confused. I’d be surprised if you weren’t. Would you like me to stay here for the night? Would that help?”
I nod. “Would you, Daddy?”
“I’d do anything for you, Little girl. My heart is yours.” He kisses my forehead and lifts me off his lap, setting me on the couch before standing. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to grab some things from my car, okay?”
I nod, wiping the tears from my eyes. I watch as he disappears out the front door, shaking while he’s gone. I would think he would be frustrated with me for being such a big baby, but he doesn’t seem to be anything except kind and caring.
When he returns, he shuts the front door and locks it. He has a bag over his shoulder, and he lowers it onto the coffee table. It’s a diaper bag. It’s not just any diaper bag. It’s covered with blue teddy bears.
My breath hitches as he opens it. “Where did you get that?” I ask softly, leaning forward because I’m curious about the contents.
“I went to an adult age-play store today during lunch and got some supplies to keep in the car. Good thing because I bet there are several things in here you could use about right now.”
I bite my lip as he pulls out a bottle and a small can of formula. I can only stare as he heads toward the kitchen and returns a minute later shaking the bottle.
I’m already relaxing at the thought of him feeding me. He only introduced me to this level of age play yesterday, and already I feel more connected to my younger Little, a side of me I hadn’t known existed.
“Come, Baby girl.” He shoulders the diaper bag and holds out a hand.
I take it, letting him lead me into my bedroom. The bed is a mess because I was under the covers and tossed them aside when I ran to the door.
Daddy sets the bag next to the bed, removes his shoes, and sits against the headboard. “Climb up and sit on Daddy’s lap.”
I scramble up onto his thighs. My heart rate slows as I lean back in the crook of his arm and accept the bottle.
“That’s my good girl.” He rolls me closer and kisses my forehead. “From now on, you’ll sleep at Daddy’s house. This bed is too small for me, Little one,” he teases.
I keep sucking. I like sleeping at his house.
“We’ll end your lease when you’re ready. No rush. I want you in my home.Ourhome. Okay, Baby girl?”
I nod slightly.
