“This won’t hurt going in. But like I said, don’t fight it,” the nurse instructed.
“Yeow!” The long thermometer penetrated her tight hole. It was more shocking than painful. In fact, after the initial disbelief wore off, Iris found that it didn’t hurt at all.
“That’s it. We’re almost done,” Pam said.
“You sure are a big, brave girl,” Dr. Sellecca added. “In fact, when she’s done, I think she needs some candy. That is, if you don’t mind, Jack.”
“I don’t mind one bit,” he said.
“Then she’s in luck,” the doctor replied. “Because we have a world-famous selection of giant lollipops right here in the office.”
Iris smiled. Okay, maybe this wasn’t so bad. Candy sounded lovely.
“She can eat it on the way to her special surprise,” Jack said. “Because I have something planned that she’s going to love.”
Relief washed over Iris as the device was pulled from her bottom. Happiness washed over her, too, as she wondered what Jack was planning.
One thing was for certain, she realized.
She’d already received the biggest surprise. Jack was her Daddy. And he was caring for her right now in ways she’d only dreamed.
All was right in her world.
Chapter Twenty
“This is one healthy Little girl,” Dr. Sellecca pronounced.
But a serious tone let Iris know he meant it when he looked at her and said, “But I’d like to see you put on some weight. The labs will tell us all your levels, but I’m willing to bet you’re low on some essentials. I know you’ll be getting plenty to eat now that Jack and Athena are taking care of you. But I want you to be a good girl and eat everything they put before you.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied dutifully.
“I think all that’s left is for us to get you dressed and let you pick out a lollipop.”
She giggled as she slid off the table. Her diaper crinkled loudly. The doctor had put her in a new one while Jack had looked on approvingly. Now, it was Jack who helped her get back into her street clothes.
Once they were finished, she marveled at the large candy selection. The one she selected was about half the size of her face, a colorful rainbow of swirling hardened sugar.
“May I eat it now, Daddy?” she asked as they walked outside to Jack’s SUV.
“You can take a few licks but then wrap it up and we’ll save it for after dinner,” he said.
“Thank you!”
She enjoyed the sweet treat as she sat in the passenger seat.
“Where are we going?” she asked in between licks.
“You’ll see. Soon, too. We’re almost there.”
They went through a busy intersection in downtown Los Angeles and came to a complex that was surrounded by a tall concrete fence. Security cameras were positioned every few feet.
“Is this the police station?” she asked.
She wondered if she should hide her lollipop so she didn’t appear too Little. But it was so good! And Daddy hadn’t said anything about how much of it she was eating. So, she wasn’t going to stop until he told her to.
“No. We have police stations all over the city. This is the Piper Technical Center. Lots of people—not just cops—come here to do training. But what makes this special is what’s on one of the roofs. We have an agreement with them.” He smiled. “You’ll see, cutie. Go ahead and wrap that sucker up now. You can stick it in the glove compartment so it’s out of the sun.”
Dang it, she thought. He remembered the candy.
