“Welcome to the Cozy Cradle.” The soft, almost whispery words pull my attention to the front desk, where we’re greeted by a woman who seems almost as diaphanous as her voice. “I’m Luna. I’ll be your companion today. It’s Isabella, correct?”
Uncertain of what to do or say to the being in front of me, I tighten my grip on my hippo and look up at Daddy who smiles encouragingly. “It’s all right, little one. Luna is here to help.”
“Help with what?”
Before Daddy can answer, the door behind us flies open again and Auntie Cat steps inside, looking as regally beautiful as ever. “Oh, good.” With a dramatic sigh, she presses a hand to her heart. “I was worried I’d be late.”
“Right on time as always, Cat.”
Smiling now, Auntie Cat bends down and lifts me effortlessly into her arms, spinning me around the strange lobby. “What a beautiful hippo you have there, my sweet girl! And she’s a ballerina, just like you.”
“I know! Isn’t she the best?”
“She certainly is. Now, let’s go see what fun Luna has planned for you.”
The trepidation I’d been feeling eases somewhat as Auntie Cat follows Luna down the hall with me still in her arms. We step into what looks almost like the exam room at Doctor D’s office but… cozier somehow, which I suppose is apt given the establishment’s name. Still, the sight of the table in the middle of the room gives me pause and I turn my head, frantically searching for Daddy.
When my eyes find his, he steps forward to pluck me from Auntie Cat’s arm. “Shhh, little one. You’re safe. Daddy would never let anyone harm you.”
He said that once before, and I almost believed him. But hewouldlet someone hurt me, as evidenced back at Doctor D’s, and my chest tightens with panic. “What’s going on? Why are we here?”
“Mr. Drake, I’m going to step outside and get the wax ready,” Luna says in that same soft, ethereal voice as before. “If you could remove all of your Little one’s clothing and have her potty before we begin, it would be very helpful.”
My mind immediately latches onto one word above all the others. “Wax? Why does she need wax? What’s going on?”
“Because we need to get rid of the hair on your pretty little pussy,” Daddy says, as though it should have been obvious to me all along. “You do a very good job of keeping it trimmed, but this way you don’t have to worry about it all.” Jostling me a bit, he lowers me onto the table, his hand pressing on my stomach like he did before back at home. “You need to use your diaper, little one, and then we can get you ready for your appointment.”
“I don’t wanna get ready for my appointment!” I know plenty of other dancers who keep themselves waxed because they say it’s easier, but I’ve never gotten the courage to do so myself. Now, it seems as though that choice is being stripped from me, and my body instantly goes to fight or flight mode.
Daddy’s hold on me isn’t as tight as it usually is, and I manage to roll off the table and dart for the door. Unfortunately for me, Auntie Cat is a hell of a lot faster and stronger than I am, and she easily grabs me just as I’m reaching for the handle to escape.
No amount of kicking or screaming or fighting dislodges her grip on me as she and Daddy wrestle me back onto the table. Someone lifts my legs in the air, and a moment later the backs of my thighs explode with pain as dozens of swats land on the sensitive exposed skin.
“Ow, ow, ow Daddy, no! I’m sorry, Daddy I’m sorry!” I wail, sobs welling up in my chest as the pain and humiliation threaten to overwhelm me.
“Are you ready to be my good girl again, Isabella? Or do I need to take your diaper off and paddle your bare bottom right here in front of your Auntie Cat?”
“I’ll be good, I’ll be good!”
Six more sharp, stinging spanks cap off my punishment, and if Auntie Cat didn’t have a hold of my arms I would raise my hands to my face to cover my shame. But I am well and thoroughly pinned, which means my tear-soaked face is visible to everyone in the room.
Lowering my legs, Daddy leans forward, running a hand over my head. “Shhh, little one. It’s all done now. Time to go potty and then Daddy will get you ready for your appointment.”
I don’t want to wet my diaper, but I want another spanking even less. Squeezing my eyes tightly shut, I focus on the feeling of sitting on a toilet, the cool porcelain pressed against my warm skin as Daddy presses on my bladder. Soon, the sound of my urine hitting the soft cotton between my thighs fills the room, and I’m rewarded with the sound of Auntie Cat’s delighted gasp.
“She’s so sweet, Gideon. You could not have chosen a better Little girl for yourself.”
“I agree. Come now, little doll. Time to get you changed.”
Stripped of my will to fight, I let them undress me, down to taking the wet diaper off and wiping me clean before they strap me—literally—to the table.
Luna returns at nearly the exact right time, a ghost of a smile on her lips as her gaze runs over my exposed flesh. “Perfect. I noticed she had a stuffie with her when she came in. She can hold it if she likes.”
“Do you want your hippo, sweet girl?” Auntie Cat asks softly, holding it up for me to see.
I wantanythingthat will help hide my shame right now, so I take it, wrapping both my arms around its wide belly and burying my face in the soft gray fur. The weight of her both hides my shame and muffles the sounds of what’s happening around me.
“Poor little thing.” Even muffled, I can still hear Auntie Cat’s voice, ripe with pity as her slender fingers stroke my leg. “I hope you have something special planned for dinner tonight, Gideon. Your Little girl has certainly earned a treat.”
