Aldric
“What’s that?” Juliet asks me, staring at the pink suitcase I’ve set down outside her bedroom. She’s sitting cross-legged on her bed with her computer in her lap.
“It’s a goldfish,” I tell her, grinning.
She giggles and rolls her eyes. “Daddy… Don’t be silly. Did you buy me a new suitcase? I already have one.” She points to it. It’s black and sitting next to her closet.
“I thought this one was prettier for a Little girl like you.” I pat the top of it. “Plus, it’s already full of clothes.”
Her eyes widen. “You packed for me?”
“I sure did.”
“When? You never even come into my room.” She closes her laptop and unfolds her legs.
“I didn’t need anything from your room. I bought new things,” I inform her, watching her closely.
Her eyes widen. “Why?”
I shrug. “Several reasons. One, so you’d have some surprises this weekend. Two, because I’m the Daddy and I wanted to decide what you wear. And three…” I point at the suitcase she intended to use. “What’s inside that one?”
She winces. “Nothing. I didn’t pack it yet.”
“Exactly. And it’s time to leave.” I reach out a hand. “Ready?”
She doesn’t move. “You tricked me.” She’s smiling though.
“Yep. I knew it would be hard for you to pack and you’d put it off until past the last minute, which you did. So, it’s done. I did it. Grab your shoes. Let’s go.”
“Right now?” She looks around as if I’ve informed her we’re never going to return to the apartment.
I chuckle. “Yes.”
She shuffles across the room and picks up her white tennis shoes. They never get dirty because she never leaves the apartment.
I reach for her hand as she approaches. She’s carrying the shoes. That’s fine. I’ll put them on her.
She stops before she reaches me. “Wait… If you packed for me, then you don’t have any of my toys in that suitcase.” She cocks her head to one side.
I chuckle. “I packed toys. Don’t worry. I included your coloring book, your crayons, and even a few surprises. Maybe you’d like to grab your bunny though.”
She cocks her hip out and glares at me. “Those aren’t the kind of toys I’m talking about and you know it, Daddy.”
I grin. “I think you’ll live.” There have been some moments when I wished I never told her I wouldn’t enter this room again. Now is one of them.
She sighs as she spins and stomps over to snag her bunny off the bed.
When she reaches me, I slide my hand around to her braid and give it a tug, tipping her head back. “Maybe leave that sassiness here at the apartment so you don’t end up getting your bottom spanked to start off the weekend.”
She humphs. “Yes, Sir.”
With my hand still on her neck, I lead her to the living room. “Sit. I’ll put your shoes on.”
She drops onto the couch and I take her shoes from her and squat down to put them on her feet. I wonder if she thinks she’s antagonizing me when she won’t put her shoes on and makes me do it. She’d be wrong. I love doing so, and I’m going to love it even more when I start dressing her myself.
My plan is to start that this weekend. My girl is about to be surprised. She’s not expecting me to take over quite so much of her life. The rules are about to change.
Juliet is still sulking and dragging her feet when we reach the Ridge. She’s also incredibly Little. I know this because she’s clutching her bunny without a care in the world that everyone is going to see her holding it like a lifeline when we get inside.
Craig opens the front door to let us in. Leah is bouncing behind him. “Daddy…” she groans.
He holds the door open for us with a palm on her chest, holding her back. “Leah, sweetheart, it’s cold outside. Let them come in so we can shut the door before you pounce.”
“Yes, Sir.” She gives an exasperated sigh but stops until Craig has the door closed.
When I glance at Juliet, she looks like she’s about to giggle. She’s already sucked into the power of Blossom Ridge. I’m wondering how far out of her shell she can come while we’re here, including her naughty side. Every part of me hopes she digs deep and lets her Little free. I don’t want her to hold back, even if it means she spends the weekend with a sore bottom.
She shifts her bunny back and forth between her hands as I remove her mittens and her coat.
Leah is shuffling back and forth on her feet as if she can’t contain her excitement. “Can I show Juliet her room, Daddy?”
Craig chuckles. “Yes, sweetheart. Go.”
Leah grabs Juliet’s hand and gives it a tug. “Come on.”
Craig turns toward the retreating girls. “Don’t run in the house.” He swipes a hand over his face in exasperation as he returns his attention to me. “She’s been bouncing off the walls all day. You’d think Juliet was royalty.”
I smile. “Well, thank her for me. Juliet needs friends, and she already considers Leah a friend.” I tuck our two coats under one arm and reach out a hand. “Thank you for having us.”
“You’re welcome. Hopefully, it will be a relaxing weekend for the two of you.”
I chuckle. “I’m thinking it may be far from relaxing, but that’s a good thing. If Juliet lets herself open up and embraces her Little, I fear I may have created a monster. Didn’t I hear you have a naughty corner in the kitchen?”
Craig laughs. “We sure do, and you’re welcome to add to the wear and tear on the floor.” He nods over his shoulder. “Why don’t you set your stuff by the stairs? Foster is in the library. We were enjoying some peace and quiet. I’m sure it won’t last. Amy and Leah have been plotting all day. They think they can jam about ten activities into the evening. Neither of them would listen to reason when we tried to explain they have three nights with Juliet. They don’t have to do everything in the first hour. They’re going to be in for a shock when we make them choose.”
“Is anyone else staying here tonight?”
“Nope. Three couples were here all week. They left this morning. It’s just us until Sunday. Another couple is coming Sunday afternoon for the week. Until then, it’ll be the six of us.”
I blow out a relieved breath. That will really help Juliet transition. She knows Amy and Leah. Without strangers, she’ll relax easier.
Foster stands to shake my hand as we enter. I’ve met him several times now, but I don’t know him well. “Good to see you,” he says. “I take it Leah already snagged Juliet and ran off with her?”
I nod. “I didn’t see Amy.”
“Amelia’s finishing up in the kitchen. I’m sure she’s rushing to clean up from dinner. She’ll join them when she can.”
I lower into one of the armchairs as both men return to their seats. “That’s right. I keep forgetting she’s your chef.”
“Yep. Best chef in the world too. Be prepared for a culinary feast while you’re here.” Foster beams with pride.
Craig nods. “She is the best. Oh, and thank you so much for recommending Juliet to help with the website. It’s already drawing more business.”
“Good. I’m glad. That’s definitely her passion.”
“Thank goodness these girls have a passion. If it weren’t for the hours every day when Amelia is working, I’d be exhausted from trying to keep up with her.” Foster chuckles.
Craig shakes his head. “Don’t even try to pretend you don’t Daddy her nearly twenty-four-seven. You rarely leave her side even when she’s cooking.”
Foster shrugs. His eyes are dancing with love. “As long as the boss doesn’t notice how neglected the grounds are around here, I’ll keep following her around. I’m kind of fond of her.”
Craig glances at me. “Don’t listen to him. He thinks he’s funny. There’s not a blade of grass out of line nor is there a dripping faucet. He works hard to make sure Blossom Ridge is in the best working order.”
It’s nice to sit down with other people. Other men. Other Daddies. It’s been a damn long time since I’ve had companionship other than Juliet. When you live with a hermit, you tend to also become a hermit.
“How long have you and Juliet been together?” Foster asks.
I draw in a breath. “That’s a long story. I’ll give you the CliffsNotes. I’ve known her since she was very young. I fell in love with her when she was eighteen. I moved in with her when her parents died three years ago. I didn’t tell her she was mine until a few weeks ago. The night after our first visit here in fact.”
Foster’s eyes are wide. “Wow. That is a story. You seem so natural together. Your age play, I mean.”
I nod. “I’ve been her Daddy for three years. She just didn’t know it. We’ve had a fairly unconventional relationship. Mostly because we were both too scared to admit what we wanted out of fear of losing what we have.”
“That makes sense,” Craig says. “I’m glad you finally talked.”
“It’s a work in progress. Juliet is reclusive. She needed this badly. I’m so grateful to have found you folks. You’re better than any medicine a doctor could prescribe to help mend Juliet’s heart.”
“From her parents dying…” Foster confirms.
“Yes.”
“And to be honest, I need this too. When you live with someone who’s agoraphobic, you don’t get out much either.”
“I bet,” Craig agrees. “You two are welcome here anytime. No invitation or reservation needed. Please think of us as family.”
“I really appreciate that. It’s a godsend finding out there are other couples in the area living in age-play relationships. What were the chances?”
“If you need anything at all, just ask. We have many close friends who also live the lifestyle, including the owner, Roman, and his Little, Lucy.”
I nod. “I met Roman only briefly that first day. Lucy was in the dance class.”
“That’s right.” Craig shakes his head. “That day was chaotic. You picked a doozy.”
Foster nods. “That’s the day Stella fell in the freezing pool. The girls were all trying to one-up each other on the naughty scale. I’m surprised you were willing to come back.” He laughs.
“To be honest, it was the best thing that’s happened for Juliet in years. Normal people having normal conversations. She even joined in with them to profess her own naughty behavior. You have no idea what a big deal that was. She doesn’t talk to strangers. She usually behaves more like a sulky teenager in front of other people.”
Foster smiles. “I’m so glad our naughty Little girls could help pull her out of her shell.”
“Daddy,” someone yells from the entrance to the library.
I turn around to find Leah, Amy, and Juliet skipping into the room. They’re all smiling as if they’re at a slumber party and it’s cake time. Including Juliet, which makes my heart so full.
Foster reaches out to wrap his arm around Amy and pull her against his side as soon as she skips close enough for him to snag her. He taps her nose. “Did you girls decide what you want to do tonight?”
“Yep. Can we play in the arcade? We thought about a movie, but decided we didn’t want to sit still and be quiet. We can do that tomorrow night, okay?” Amy cups Foster’s cheek and leans in to kiss him.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Craig says as Leah tugs him to his feet.
Juliet is still shuffling toward me, so I reach out a hand to encourage her. I need to touch her. She looks hesitant. I’m sure she’s out of her element and uncertain. But she’s smiling, so I’ll take it.
When she reaches me, I pull her between my legs. “Having fun, baby girl?” I whisper close to her ear.
She nods, her small hands coming to my shoulders. “I don’t know how to play arcade games,” she murmurs.
I lean closer to her ear. “I bet they will teach you, or I could go with you and help you until you’re comfortable.”
“Will you?” she asks.
“Of course.” I stand, holding her hand. “I’d love to see this arcade room you all have. I’ve heard about it, but I haven’t had the pleasure.”
“Let’s all go,” Craig decides. “It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to beat Leah in pinball.”
“Daddy… We’re not playing pinball.” She pulls on his arm to get him to move faster.
This is going well. I’m hopeful. Juliet relaxes in front of my eyes when she realizes I’m going with her. I don’t think she minds being alone with the girls. It’s the games she’s worried about. She doesn’t want to look foolish.
I’m certain beyond a shadow of a doubt neither Amy nor Leah would make her feel foolish for one minute, but Juliet’s mind went to the worst-case scenario and the only way to get her back on track is to guide her.