The hours it takes for school to finish up feel like forever. I hadn’t realized how empty the house would feel without my babygirl by my side. She’s only been here a few days, and already I’m addicted to her. Her scent, her laugh, the endless questions she fires off when something new and exciting comes her way.
My brothers are already waiting outside the school when I arrive, and they turn to greet me as one. A weight I hadn’t even realized I was still carrying lifts when Jasper flashes his usual boy-next-door smile as I join the group.
“We’re taking bets on how school went today,” he explains, his grin widening. “Do you think Natalie put up a fuss over using her diaper?”
“Hmm. Probably not. She doesn’t love it, but she doesn’t usually fight me all that hard on it, either.”
“It’s different when it’s someone else changing her, though,” Maxwell points out. “Juliet struggled with it a good bit at first.”
“Still does, if I’m being honest.” Shaking his head with an over-dramatic sigh, Jasper presses a hand to his chest. “My poor little princess. Such a hard life she lives.”
Laughter ripples through the group as the front doors swing open and our Little ones come racing out, heading straight for us with happy squeals. Crouching, I open my arms to catch Natalie as she flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“Daddy! I had thebestday. Miss Evelyn taught us all about the alphabet, but with naughty words and then she read us a story and then we got to color in a spaceship! And then we had chicken tenders and French fries for lunch, but the fries were kinda weird and Miss Evelyn said it was cuz they’re made with sweet potatoes cuz they’re healthier but I don’t think I believe her. And after our nap we had dance class with Izzy and Tori and Juju got to spin around a lot but I’m not ready yet so I just watched but it was still the best day ever!”
My head is spinning a bit by the time she finishes her rundown, and I can’t help but laugh at her exuberance. “It sounds like a very fun day. Were you a good girl for Miss Evelyn?”
“She was.” Their teacher is all but beaming as she looks around at her chargers. “In fact, they were all on their best behavior today. I didn’t even have to put anyone in timeout.”
Judging by the looks on my brothers’ faces, this is rather unexpected news.
“Really?” Jasper asks, clearly the most surprised of all. “Nobody got in any trouble at all?”
“Nope. There was a bit of tension this morning but it passed quickly and if I’m being honest, I think they were all too busy having fun to misbehave.”
Maxwell grins, an expression I’m still getting used to seeing on his face in the months since he brought Victoria to the island.“Well, that seems like a cause for celebration. How about a trip to the toy store for our very good girls?”
A joy I’ve never seen before lights Natalie’s eyes. “Oh, Daddy, can we go? Please, please, please?”
She has more than enough toys at home. But there is absolutely no way I can refuse her, not when she’s looking at me with those wide, hopeful eyes. “Of course we can, kitten. And if you want, we can get ice cream after.”
Squealing with happiness, she wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. “Best. Day.Ever.”
Nelly
The toy store isn’t the largest I’ve ever seen, but it comes pretty freaking close. And there’s even a whole section dedicated to stuffed animals that’s almost like its own store.
That’s where I find myself, Tori by my side as I stare open-mouthed at the rows and rows of stuffies. Every animal you could imagine seems to line the walls, and I have no idea how I’m supposed to pick just one.
When I relay my concerns to Tori, she just giggles. “Then ask your Daddy if you can have more than one. I bet he’d say yes. Uncle Evan likes spoiling you.”
“Don’t all the Daddies like spoiling us?”
“Yes, butyourDaddy is the nicest of all of them. Which is funny cuz when I first met him I thought he was kinda scary.”
“He looks scary. But he isn’t, not really. Well, except when I’m naughty, then he’s pretty scary.”
Looking around as if to make sure we aren’t overheard, Tori drops her voice, excitement sparkling in her eyes. “But it’s kindafun sometimes, isn’t it? Getting in trouble, I mean. I swear Juju lives for her Daddy’s spankings.”
“Oh my god, I thought I was just weird!” Pressing a hand to my forehead, I slump against her in a dramatic show of relief as Tori’s giggles fill the air. “The night he caught me sneaking out of bed and he, um, punished meinsidemy bottom…”
“Daddy only does that when I’ve been super, super naughty. I hate knowing I’ve disappointed him, but at the same time…” Red floods her cheeks as she shrugs. “I swear I came so hard the last time he did it that I almost blacked out.”
“What are you two naughty girls talking about in here?”
At the sound of my Daddy’s voice, I whip around, praying the heat in my face doesn’t give me away. “Tori’s helping me pick out a stuffie friend!”
“That’s very nice of her, indeed. Have you decided on anything, kitten?”
