Foster
I’m concerned. Amelia hasn’t been quite herself since this morning, and I’m worried we’ve taken our physical relationship too far too fast. She experienced a pretty serious subdrop and could have used two hours of sleep afterward. Instead, she went to work, which made me nervous.
I’ve kept an eye on her all morning, as much as I could anyway. I know Craig spoke to her also, taking her pulse. She seemed to turn a corner when she hugged me before breakfast, but as I help her clean up, I can feel her stress. It’s thick in the air.
“Are you worried about Lucy and Evelyn arriving, sweet girl?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “No, Sir.”
I wish she would call me Daddy, but I don’t want to pressure her. She should be permitted to do whatever feels natural.
Voices at the front of the house indicate everyone has arrived as we’re putting the last of the dishes away. I glance at Amelia to find her rubbing her hands together.
I reach for her and she takes my hand, giving my fingers a squeeze but not coming into my embrace. I can’t let my own emotions upset her. This isn’t about me. I’m clear on the fact that I’m a Daddy, and though I wasn’t looking for a Little right now and had my doubts about my ability to care deeply for another Little again in this lifetime, I’ve fallen for her. It happened fast. I couldn’t stop it, and I can’t deny it.
But Amelia isn’t on the same page. This is about her progression. She hasn’t spent the last ten years living as a Little or even considering herself to be Little. At least that’s what she tells herself. The fact that she brought that special box with her when she moved here is telling. The fact that she has spent weekends in the past alone in her Little space is also important.
But dabbling isn’t the same as accepting a permanent lifestyle, and I need to remind myself of that often. All I can do is guide this sweet girl, help her find herself, and back the fuck off if her path doesn’t include me.
“Would you like to go back to the cabin for a while?” I ask her. “If you’re not feeling up to it, you don’t have to greet everyone right now.”
She shakes her head. “I’m fine. That would be rude.”
I give her hand a tug, hoping she’ll close the gap between us. I only manage to get her to take a few tentative steps in my direction. “I’d be happy to take the blame. I could say I put you down for a nap or even that you got into trouble and will be spending time alone until later today.”
She tugs her hand from mine and wrings hers together. “No. I’ll be fine,” she repeats, and I hate the fact that she’s so distant from me. Emotionally.
“Okay.” I’m not particularly comfortable with this plan, but I nod toward the front of the house. “After you.”
She fidgets as we approach, crossing her arms a few times before jerking them back to her sides as she remembers I’ve forbidden that. Is she annoyed with me?
“Amy,” Lucy exclaims as we step into the foyer. She rushes forward and gives Amelia a big hug, the kind that ends up with the two of them rocking back and forth as if they haven’t seen each other in a decade, when I’m certain it’s been more like a week.
Granted, a lot has changed in that week, and I suspect Lucy is fully aware.
The two of them almost topple when Evelyn joins the group hug, followed by Leah.
It’s hard not to smile at the giggling pile-on. If these girls fall over, the foyer is going to be a mess of limbs and dresses and exposed panties.
When Lucy finally steps back, she holds Amelia at arm’s length. “I love this dress and those shoes.”
“Thank you,” Amelia murmurs. “I love yours too.” She bites her bottom lip.
There’s no way to avoid this awkward stage. It would happen to anyone. Amelia has known Lucy for a long time, so it’s bound to be uncomfortable at first when one party opts for a new lifestyle. Even if it’s not permanent, it’s still a giant elephant in the room.
“Can we move out of the foyer, girls?” Roman suggests, chuckling. He sets down the two suitcases he’s carrying and reaches out to set a hand on Lucy’s shoulder.
Lucy spins around to face him, tipping her head back. Roman lifts a brow. “Remember what I said.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“That goes for you too, Eve,” Colton states in a firm voice.
Eve sighs, her shoulders dropping before she dramatically rolls her eyes. “Daddy, I said I’ll be good.”
Colton lifts both brows. “Seems to me you’re starting off sassy. Would you like to change your tone and apologize or start off this trip with a sore bottom?”
Chagrinned, she lowers her face. “Sorry, Daddy.”
Inside I’m grinning. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around this many people who practice a form of age play that’s nearly twenty-four seven. I know Lucy and Evelyn both work full-time, but I also know they leave their adult at the office when they go home.
Leah works from home, and though she has declared her office an adult zone, she’s far more full-time than the other two friends. Half the time Leah is in her office, she’s also Little.
I wonder how Amelia is processing all this. Perhaps I haven’t given her enough of a buffer between her job and her time with me. I can see how that would be stressful and disconcerting. I might need to reevaluate how much I Daddy her while she’s trying to work.
Now that the girls have all returned to admiring each other’s clothes and hair baubles, I shake hands with Roman and Colton.
Craig ushers us all toward the library off the foyer.
Lucy tugs on Roman’s arm. “Could we please, please go downstairs and play while you talk?”
Roman pulls her closer, kisses her forehead, and then nods. “Yes. I know you’re anxious to see the renovations. Go play. But stay inside. Do not set one foot out the back door without supervision unless you want to spend the rest of the weekend in the corner.”
“Yes, Sir.”
My heart clenches when Amelia looks to me for permission to go with the others. I lift her hand to my cheek, rub her knuckles against my face, and kiss them. “Have fun.” I lift my gaze to take in all four anxious Little faces next. “Stay out of the unfinished rooms down there. Leave those doors closed. There are loose nails and boards. It’s not safe.”
“Yes, Sir,” they all respond.
Amelia seems happy as she follows the others, their feet loud on the hardwood floors as they race to the back stairs, laughter filling the hallway.
Roman drops into an armchair with a sigh. “I don’t know about you, Colton, but I’m looking forward to two days of vacation.”
Colton takes the other leather armchair across from Roman, nodding. “Definitely.”
Craig and I sit on the sofa between them. The furniture is arranged in a half-circle around the fireplace.
“How was the drive?” I ask.
“Not bad. Lots of traffic getting out of Seattle, but once we hit the outskirts of the city, we were home free,” Roman responds. He leans forward, setting his elbows on his knees. “Tell me about Amy.”
I’m not surprised he isn’t wasting time. Roman’s the sort of Dom who takes his club and his responsibilities to his members very seriously. His brow is furrowed.
“Not a lot to tell yet. We’re feeling it out.”
“I’ve never known her to have tendencies as a Little.”
I nod. “Not in public.”
Colton chuckles. “Been down that road.” He looks at Roman. “You know as well as I do some women keep their Little side very private.”
Roman sighs. “I know. I’m not trying to be argumentative. Just cautious.”
I lean back against the cushions and run a hand over my face. I’m slightly annoyed Roman seems to doubt my ability to care for Amelia. “Roman, how long have we known each other?”
He sighs again. “Forever. I don’t mean to sound accusatory. I’m just looking out for Amy.”
“And you know I have her best interests at heart too,” I point out.
He nods. “I know.”
“Just because I haven’t been an active member of the club or had a Little in five years doesn’t mean I’m so rusty I can’t take care of a Little girl. I’m still a Daddy. I’ve always been a Daddy even while I didn’t have a Little,” I point out.
“Of course,” he agrees.
Craig clears his throat. “I’m going to side with Foster on this. I’ve been watching Amy closely since she arrived. Yes, it’s been rocky, but she has tendencies that lead me to believe she’s tapping into something she’s held mostly dormant or secret.”
“Secret,” I add. “She has practiced age play in the past, but only alone.”
Roman nods slowly. “Okay.” He lifts both hands. “I’ll butt out of it.”
I shake my head. “No. Please don’t butt out. Watch her closely. If you see anything that concerns you, let me know. It’s important I do what’s best for her, even if it means I’m not part of it.”
“I’m glad you recognize that,” Roman adds. He stands. “Show me what you’ve been doing to the grounds. I need to stretch my legs.”
We all stand to join him as he leads the way through the mansion and out the back doors.