“Um. Okay. Sure.”
Doing my best to ignore the wails coming from the front desk, I settle on the floor and try to focus on the toys in front of me. One of them looks exactly like something I remember from my actual childhood, interlooping strands of plastic each with its own little figure meant to be moved from one side to the other. While it isn’t a difficult task at all, it’s enough to distract me until the sounds of wood meeting bare flesh cease and the doctor pulls the weeping woman into his arms.
“Are you going to be a good girl and finish your paperwork on time today, Camilla?”
I peek up from my toy, fascinated as the woman nods and swipes at her streaming eyes. “Y-yes, Daddy. I’m sorry I was so bad.”
“You weren’t bad, little one. You made some very naughty choices, but you are still my sweet sunshine, even when you’re naughty. Understood?”
A tremulous smile curves the woman’s lips. “Yes, Daddy. I understand.”
“That’s my good girl. Let’s go get you cleaned up and into a fresh diaper, and then you can get your Auntie Cat and her Little one settled.” Glancing over his shoulder, he flashes us a surprisingly warm smile. Or at least it’s surprising to me, given what I just witnessed. “I apologize, but we’ll be a few minutes longer.”
Catharina waves a hand, as if batting away his words. “No apologies needed. We don’t have anywhere else to be right now.”
I watch them leave, curiosity welling inside me until I can’t hold it back any longer. “Is everyone here like you and Uncle Max?”
“Yes.” Reaching over, Catharina runs a hand over the curls she carefully refreshed for me this morning, and though I don’t want to find the gesture soothing there’s no denying the way my stomach stops jumping at that simple touch. “Not everyone has found their Little one yet, but nearly everyone on the island is a Mommy or a Daddy. With the exception of the ranch hands, who seem to prefer Pets to Littles.”
“I can’t blame them. I like animals more than most people, too.”
Her laugh rings out, loud and delighted as she gives my curls a gentle tug. “You and me both, little imp. Would you like to visit the farm sometime and see the animals?”
“Can we?” It’s the first truly exciting thing I’ve heard since I set foot on that plane. “Can we go now? Please, Mommy?”
“Not today, little one. We have too much to do. But soon, I promise.”
Puffing my bottom lip out, I clasp my hands together and widen my eyes enough to bring tears to them. “Please, Mommy? I’ll doanything.”
For a moment, I think she might cave. But then she grips my chin, forcing my head back as she leans in, her lips curved up in that wicked smile I remember from before. “Anything, little one?”
“Um. Well. I guess that depends on what ‘anything’ means.”
“Smart girl,” she murmurs, brushing a kiss over my lips. “Promising a woman like me ‘anything’ is a dangerous move, little imp. Keep that in mind the next time you’re tempted to bring out the crocodile tears.”
It’s not all for show when my bottom lip trembles. There’s a sharp pain just beneath my heart, and I’m not sure if it’s just the embarrassment of being so thoroughly chastised, or if I do actually feel guilty for trying to manipulate her. “I just wanna go see the animals,” I mumble, dropping my gaze to the low v-cut of her dress. Her breasts swell as she quietly sighs, and for a second I’m distracted from my disappointment by the thought of what that smooth, creamy skin might taste like.
“And you will, baby, just not today,” she says, once again nudging my head up so I have no choice but to meet her onyx gaze. “Okay?”
It’s tempting to argue some more, but I’m still so sore from my punishment. And, I can admit at least to myself, I don’t really want to fight when she’s being sonice.“Yes, Mommy.”
“Good girl.”
Her praise washes over me, melting away the yucky feelings her scolding left behind, and I’m able to return her smile.
But before I can say anything else, someone clears their throat, drawing Catharina’s attention away from me and to the pretty blonde in the doorway. “Um, we’re ready for you, Auntie Cat.”
“Thank you, Camilla.” Rising from her seat, Catharina holds out a hand to me.
“Come on, Alexis. Time to go see Doctor D.”
My heart lodges in my throat, but I manage to gather enough courage to place my hand in hers and let her draw me to my feet. Camilla beams at us, the brightness of her smile somehow not dimmed at all by the redness around her watery eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you, Alexis. I’m Millie, and I’ll be your nurse. Has your Mommy told you anything about what to expect?”
“Not really. But I’ve been to the doctor before.”
Millie glances up at Catharina, and jealousy churns in my stomach at the look they share, and the smile Millie isn’t quite able to hide. “Visits with Doctor D are a bit more… intimate than you might be used to.”
