Sebastian ransacked the Cavetts' pantry and fridge. There were plenty of food options for dinner but not many choices for lunch. He tugged a ham steak out of the fridge and then grabbed several potatoes, two cans of green beans, fried onions, cream of mushroom soup, and a bag of cranberries. He found a roll of biscuits, not quite as good as homemade, but he could improvise with them. They would have a feast.
He thought about Kay and everything she had told him. She'd looked so happy when he set her down in the tub. He wanted her to look up at him like that every day. Of course, he loved doing sexy, intimate things to her body, but he wanted more. Sebastian thought about the contents of his toy bag while he prepared green bean casserole and set the oven to preheat. Wheels turning, Sebastian mentally went through his inventory of toys. He had enough objects with him to recreate several of Kay's photos. A wide grin broke out across his face.That's it!He was going to convince Kay to pick her career back up as a fetish model. She already had a following, even if she wasn't aware, and he could show her there was nothing to be embarrassed about. His buddy Brian had recently lost his top name model when she'd left due to her pregnancy. She would most likely not come back for at least a year, if at all. Kay would be the perfect choice to step up, if she could let go of her reservations. He turned his focus back to dinner preparations. Everything needed to be timed perfectly, and his little girl could call for him at any minute. The thought warmed him up quicker than the heat from the oven, and he smiled. This holiday was shaping up to be the best one yet.
Kayleigh imagined what Bastian's beard would look like with her new hair bows in it, and she giggled. She clamped a hand over her mouth at the unexpected sound. The thought of him with green and red sparkly ribbons on his face caused another giggle and then another. Her stomach hurt from laughing so hard, and she snorted at the mental image. Bastian hurried into the bathroom, presumably thinking she was crying, but stopped when he got to the tub. Kayleigh waved her hands but snorted again. He lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a fluffy green towel.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh my god." She took several big gasps of air. "If you let me braid your beard and put ribbons in it, then you would be so pretty!"
"Did you sneak a bottle of tequila in here?"
"No, Daddy." She sobered suddenly and her mood deflated. Twice she’d thrown a title which firmly planted her in a younger mindset, but he talked about an adult beverage which mixed up her state of reference. "I wouldn't do something like that."
"No, of course you wouldn't." He reached around her to drain the tub. "Little girls don't drink alcohol. I'm sorry I said it. Come here." Bastian took her hand in his. "Let's get you dressed. Then you can play with your new gifts while I finish making dinner. Does that sound like fun?"
"Yes." She nodded, too lost in the perfect moment to say anything else. "I think so." She followed him down the hall and into her room. Even though she knew he’d been there before, it felt different this time.
"Do you have a pretty dress in mind to wear today?"
Kayleigh darted her eyes to the closet and back to him, then shrugged.
"When Daddy asks you a question, I expect a verbal yes or no answer in reply. Am I understood?"
Butterflies did somersaults in her tummy at the tone of his voice. She nodded several times, "Yes, Daddy. I do have a dress at the back of my closet in one of those plastic bag thingies."
"I can't wait to see it."
Bastian moved to the closet and emerged a few moments later with the garment bag. Unzipping the bag carefully, he reached in and laid the dress out on the bed. Kayleigh gasped as she stared at it, a gorgeous crimson colored velvet dress with a huge silver sash around the middle. The lacy sash could be looped into a bow just like the dresses she used to dream about when she was little. Kay had stared at the gown for hours on the computer screen over the course of several weeks before working up the nerve to purchase it, but when it arrived, she’d never even looked at it. Bastian took care to pick out a camisole, plain panties, and a pair of black knee-high stockings: accessories she had added to the purchase. To her incredible surprise, he picked up each item and assisted her into them. She wasn’t sure how to process all of the emotions barreling through her, so she remained quiet. She loved every second of it, wondering if they could recreate this moment again. He brushed out her hair until it fell in waves down her back, curled on the ends from being trapped in a bun. She remained quiet until Bastian turned her around toward the full-length mirror. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she willed them away.
"I look beautiful."
"Yes, sweetheart, you do. Come on. Let's go enjoy the rest of our day."
Kayleigh had the most magical time coloring and crafting while Bastian worked hard in the kitchen. After they'd eaten, he had escaped for a little while to take a shower and get dressed himself, but now the house fell quiet. All of the food had been put away, and she enjoyed the calm atmosphere. They had cuddled on the couch, drinking hot cocoa, and watching holiday cartoons. For the first time in over a year, she felt relaxed.
"It's getting late," Bastian announced, breaking her out of her daze. "Go get ready for bed, and I'll come tuck you in."
"What are you going to do tonight?"
"I'm actually going to bed as well. I was up very late last night, but tomorrow is another day. The snow is supposed to stop around noon or so. You're trapped with me a little longer."
"Okay, I'll call you when I'm ready." She kissed his cheek then got up from the couch and headed to her room. Today had exceeded all of her expectations, and she couldn't wait until tomorrow.
Kayleigh carefully hung the dress back up on its hanger. She took off the plain undergarments and slipped into her regular sleep clothes which were a pair of flannel pants and a tank-top. Her hair got pulled up into a messy bun, and then she got into bed. Her mindset seemed to be in between little and adult, but the calm feeling carried over.
"Bastian!"
He appeared in her doorway and approached the bed. "Did you have a nice day today, Kay?"
"Yeah, I'm not really sure where my head is at the moment, but I'm so relaxed. Thank you for taking care of me today. I really needed it."
"I'm happy to have been here for you." Bastian leaned over and kissed her. He brought the blankets up to her chest, and tucked her in as promised. "We'll have fun tomorrow too."
"Will it involve your famous eggnog?" She grinned. "It's my favorite."
"Only if you're good." He chuckled. "Sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning."
Kay snuggled down into the covers and laid her head on the pillow. He shut the light off and stepped toward the door, but she sniffled as unexpected tears fell down her face. She didn't want him to be so far away.
