Matteo received the reaction he’d been hoping for.
Annika was clearly impressed. After gasping, she stepped deeper into the store and stopped, turning a slow circle as she took it all in.
The smile on her face was radiant. He wanted nothing more than to scoop her into his arms right there and shower her with a million kisses.
But it was best to wait.
She’d already had a huge day. He was acutely aware that just a day ago she’d been living in an alley and scrounging for food. Today, she went in high-end shops in Beverely Hills and Hollywood, stocking up on clothes.
He didn’t want to overwhelm her.
Who knew how long he could hold out, though? Sooner or later, he’d show his cutie exactly how he felt about her.
“This is a Little store!” she exclaimed in the cutest voice Matteo had ever heard.
“That’s right. It’s just for sweetpeas like you. And you can pick out anything you want. As much as you want.”
She giggled and appeared as if she was going to take off in excitement, but stopped before actually running deeper into the store.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
She turned back to look at him. “No. I really appreciate you taking me here. And all the places we’ve gone today.”
He nodded. Inside, though, he still had the impression that something was eating at her.
Perhaps she’d tell in time. Annika would learn that she could tell Daddy anything.
Now wasn’t the time to press it. So, he said, “Ready to do a little bit more shopping?”
“I’m ready!”
He took her hand. “Come on, honey. Let’s pick out some things.”
Thirty minutes later, the shopping cart Matteo pushed was full.
There were stuffies, outfits, and a few accessories like bows and jewelry. But something was missing—or possibly missing—and he figured it was as good a time as any to bring it up.
“Sweetie, we need to talk about just how Little you are.” He jerked his head toward the last few aisles in the store they hadn’t been down. He’d seen her looking that way several times. But she never actually walked toward them. “There are a whole lot of diapers and pull-ups and other things sweeties might need. I’d hate for you to miss out on them.”
A look of unease shaded Annika’s face. He hated that she felt embarrassed around him.
There was no need to. She could be her complete self around Daddy. In time, she’d learn that.
Her eyes darted back toward those rows. She finally looked at him and said quietly, “I need some of that stuff. But…” She just hung her head in what he assumed was shame.
Now he couldn’t resist. He had his arms wrapped around her before he even realized it himself.
Swaying her gently, he said, “Honey, you don’t have to be embarrassed about that. You’re in a store for people just like you. Look at those cuties over there.”
She lifted her head out of his chest and turned it a little to see a group of three people—two women and one man—wearing very Little outfits.
The man had on pants, but it was obvious, thanks to the pouf beneath them, that he also wore a diaper.
It was even more obvious for the ladies. Their short babydoll dresses did little to conceal their thick, bulky nappies. And if that wasn’t enough, the crinkle that accompanied their movements could be heard even from where Matteo and Annika stood.
After watching the group in clear admiration, she turned back to him after a few moments and said, “I need some diapers.”
That’s what he liked to hear.
