The worddefiantlands like a physical blow to my stomach and my struggles immediately cease. And this time when I speak, there is real contrition in my voice. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to be defiant.”
“I believe you, baby. But you’re still getting six swats with Daddy’s belt for not listening.”
Pain explodes across my bottom as the thick leather connects with my flesh and I arch back, tears filling my eyes at the sharp sting. “I’m sorry, Daddy!”
Once, twice, three times the belt strikes, leaving a fire of agony in its wake each time.
“When Daddy tells you to do something, what do you do, Camilla Joy?”
“F-follow your in-instructions.”
“Good girl. Three more.”
The final three are even sharper than the first set, and by the time he finishes, I’m a sobbing, snotty mess over his knee.
“Shhh, come here, little one. Let Daddy hold you.”
Cradling me in his arms, he sets the glider rocking with his foot, humming my song as we rock. The movement calms me, and it isn’t long before my tears dry and I cuddle closer to him with a contented sigh.
“Feeling better, my sunshine?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good.” He presses a kiss to the top of my hair, and my heart swells at the sweet, simple gesture. “Are you going to be on your best behavior for Uncle Max and the rest of our family?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“There’s my sweet little girl. Come on. Let’s get you ready for dinner.”
Millie
Standing on Uncle Max’s front porch in the pretty blue dress Daddy says matches my eyes perfectly, I shift nervously from foot to foot.
“What’s wrong, little one?”
“Nothin’,” I lie, not wanting to ruin the evening for him. He seems so excited about it, though why he’s so excited about dinner I'm not really sure.
Crouching down so he can look me in the eye, he brushes a stray curl from my face. “Be honest with Daddy, sunshine. What’s bothering you?”
If he’d gone all strict Daddy on me, I probably would have put up a fight. But there’s something about this sweeter side of him that’s impossible to resist. “I’m worried I still won’t fit in with my friends.”
“My sweet little girl. Your friends are so very excited to see you. Uncle Max told me so.”
“Really?” That does help to calm the churning of my stomach. “It’s just, the last time I saw them was ‘cause I got them all in trouble.”
“No, they got themselves in trouble. And that’s all behind us now. But I tell you what. If anything happens that upsets you, just come tell Daddy and we can leave.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
The door swings open, revealing a grinning Uncle Max. “Welcome, Donovan. Millie. Victoria and Isabella and Natalie are all upstairs playing. We’re just waiting on Jasper and Juliet.”
“Thank you for inviting us. And including us in your… tradition.”
There’s something odd about the way Daddy says that word. And in the way Uncle Max’s eyes flash when he says it.
“We’re happy to have you joining us. Would you like to take Millie upstairs to play with the others?”
