Chapter Seven
Eli hummed softly as he puttered around the kitchen, dumping chicken nuggets and French fries on a baking sheet for the kids. In the other room, he could hear Willem talking to the kids. He’d taken a short break from tree decorating to pop supper in the oven for his whole family. On another tray were chicken breasts and potato wedges for himself and Daddy. He’d left the kids with a huge bowl of popcorn, darning needles to be used under Daddy’s supervision, and some fishing line to make garland. It’d been nearly a week since his maintenance spanking, and overall he felt much more balanced than he had beforehand.
He’d even managed to contact the home school the kids belonged to and inform them of the change in the kids’ home life without crying or backsliding. Maybe his Daddy knew what he’d been talking about. Of course, that hadn’t stopped a curious Eli from going online to look up more info about what his Daddy had done.
Some research had proven that his Daddy was a wise, but considerate dominant.A Daddy Dom.What information he’d found described his Daddy nearly to a tee. Firm but loving, only wanting the best for his sub.Or Little.He had been aware that age-play was part of the BDSM spectrum but had shoved it off as not for him, because he couldn’t see himself fitting in with what he’d thought a submissive would be. Boy had he found out that his perception had been skewed. A submissive wasn’t a doormat, no matter how politically incorrect it was. A submissive choose to give up control to their dominant. Much like he’d chosen to allow his Daddy to make choices for him.And there was nothing wrong with that – even if it’s a bit overwhelming at times.
“Babe?” Willem stood in the doorway. “Everything okay?”
Over the past few days, his daddy had been watching him like a hawk. Maybe he was scared that Eli would backslide. Or that Eli wouldn’t come to him if he needed more of what he’d gotten the day of the reading? He wasn’t sure which it was, but it was about to drive him batty.
“Yep.” He straightened and placed the potholder on top of the island. “Just got the food in the oven. Was about to rejoin you after I set the timer. The kids having fun with the popcorn?”
Willem chuckled, then shot a quick glance over his shoulder into the living room. “Well, you’ll have to come and see.”
Eli rolled his eyes. “Let me guess, Raelynn is frustrated ‘cause Jeremy keeps trying to eat it.”
“Maybe? Come on, boy.” He held out his hand to Eli. “You’re missing out on the fun.”
After setting the timer, he took his daddy’s hand and let Willem tug him back into the living room. In the corner of the room, about ten feet from the fireplace, was the beautiful fir that he and the kids had picked out. While it looked like a traditional tree, the root ball been wrapped up in a mesh bag, then placed into the large saucer, so that they could move it into a planter. In the early Spring, they could plant it outside after the first thaw. The tree looked barren at the moment, because Eli and Raelynn had decided they would be making all the ornaments for the tree this Christmas.Speaking of…
He burst out laughing when he saw the mess the kids were making of the popcorn garland. Jeremy was sitting at one end of the coffee table, pulling off the popcorn as fast as his sister put it on. Of course, the little man giggled each time he pulled off a handful and put it back into the bowl sitting in the center of the table. His sister hadn’t yet figured out what he was doing – yet.
“Uncle Eli!” The little girl looked up excitedly. “Look, I’m almost done!”
“Almost, sprite.” He tugged the one end free of his nephew’s fist, then scooped up Jeremy in his arms. “If you hadn’t had some help from your brother.”
“Unca!” Jeremy chortled.
“This is gonna take forever!” Raelynn stomped her foot.
“Oops.” Eli gave her a smile. “It happens, sweetheart.”
“Why does he have to be such a brat?” she placed her hands on her hips. “I could’ve been done already!”
“Settle down, young lady. He’s your brother, and just like all pesky little brothers, he will do things that make you mad at times. But that still doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.”
“But look at this…” she wailed, gesturing to the garland. “I want to finish decorating the tree tonight so we can have the peppermint hot cocoa that Uncle Eli promised!”
“And throwing a fit won’t get it done any sooner.” Willem sank down on the edge of the couch. “But having Daddy Willem help, we’ll knock it out in no time.”
“We will?” There was hope in her voice. “Cause I really want that cocoa.” She glared at her brother. “I think Jeremy shouldn’t have any.”
“Come on, little man.” Eli lifted the boy up to his hip. “Before your sister tries to shove you into the couch.” He took the boy over to the dining room table where he’d already cut out ornaments from red and green construction paper. There was glitter, glue and other sparklies for the kids to decorate them with. His daddy had glared when he’d seen the glitter but hadn’t protested when Eli said he’d clean up whatever mess they made.
“If he helps, he can get some, Raelynn.” Willem held up a piece of popcorn. “But none of us will be getting any if we don’t get to work.”
Eli sighed in relief. In one way it was progress to see the kids bickering. It meant that things were getting back to normal, but in another…he shook his head as he placed Jeremy on one of high-backed chairs. …the bickering made him exhausted.Perhaps a trip to the playroom for a little maintenance wouldn’t be out of line.
* * *
Curled up under his arm, Eli yawned widely. Willem lifted his boy’s hand to press a kiss to the center of his palm. On the television,Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeerplayed. Both Raelynn and Jeremy had forgotten about their earlier spat, and now were lying on their bellies next to one another on a thick quilt that Willem’s grandmother had made. Between them was a nearly finished bowl of buttered popcorn and two sippy mugs that had been full of the promised hot chocolate. Watching the light from the fireplace flicker off their red hair tickled Willem’s fancy. A memory he’d cherish forever. It was their first Christmas together – as a family. Even hurting from the loss of their father, mother, and step-mother, the kids were adjusting.
In the corner, the tree sparkled with the handmade ornaments that Eli and the kids had made. Bright red and green glittery construction paper ornaments, chains of interconnected rings made out of yellow and black paper, contrasted with the popcorn garland and best of all? The fancy origami star that Eli had shown the kids how to make, graced the top of the tree. Made out of shiny red origami paper, each family member’s name had been inked on by Eli along with the year. Willem could easily foresee a new star each year. He couldn’t wait to see what other ornaments the kids made in school and…
Crap. We haven’t been taking the kids to school! Raelynn is definitely old enough, but I’m not sure about Jeremey. What age do kindergarteners start? Four or five?
“Ah, Eli, sweetheart?” He kept his voice soft, even though panic was swirling through him. Their lawyer had warned him after the reading, that it wouldn’t surprise him if Mrs. Atheron tried to cause trouble. And having the kids not in school would give the woman the perfect ammo. Not that anything would come of it. He wouldn’t let that nasty woman take Raelynn or Jeremy.
