“I get plenty,” she rushed to assure him.
“Give me an idea of your normal day during the week.”
His deep brown eyes narrowed as he watched her. She wanted to make her schedule sound better, but somehow the truth squeaked out of her.
“I usually get six, or sometimes seven, hours of sleep. Really. That’s enough for me. I can function on four if I have to.”
“Function is an interesting choice of words. I want you to think about our time together after your nap. Which do you prefer? Tromping mechanically through life like a robot or making up jokes with your Daddy?”
“That’s not a fair question. Of course, I prefer time with you, Daddy. Everybody goes on robot mode at work when they’re doing repetitive tasks. Like cleaning the kennels at the clinic. That’s a necessary task to do but all the techs take turns to do the housekeeping tasks.”
A memory of Isabella spraying out one of the dog runs with the hose and her Daddy popping in to say hi crossed her mind. Coco had passed the entrance at the right time to see the usually focused and serious Isabella turn and target Noah with a blast of cold water. He stopped in his tracks, looking down at the large, drenched spot on his chest.
Drawn in by the drama, Coco had waited to find out what would happen. Noah had moved toward Isabella with panther-like speed. Surprised, she hadn’t fought for control of the hose fast enough. Noah had stripped the sprayer out of her hands and aimed it at Isabella.
No, Daddy. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.
What happens when Little girls make poor decisions?
They get punished.
Isabella had never looked scared. Instead, she’d licked her lips like she savored the idea of her handsome Daddy handing out a consequence.
Come here, Isabella.
Noah had pulled her close and kissed her hard. Isabella had immediately snaked her arms around his neck, plastering herself against him. Seconds later, Coco had burst into delighted giggles when Isabella shrieked at the cascade of water drenching them as Noah shot the sprayer straight up into the air over their heads. When she’d recovered from the shock, Isabella had danced in place around Noah before hugging and kissing her Daddy.
Sofia had nudged her out of the way with a wink. She’d opened the door and ran in to join them, protesting about the cold water as it soaked her clothes and hair. The picture of all three of them together had encouraged Coco to be brave and complete her Little profile on the program.
“What’s going on inside your head, Coco? Are you questioning whether I’m a good Daddy for you because I’m strict?” Roman asked.
“Oh, no, Daddy. You’re the perfect Daddy for me. I was just thinking of Isabella getting in trouble at work one day. I wanted to be her so badly. Only Daddies who care make rules and give consequences.”
“You scared Daddy, Coco.” He pulled her close and kissed the tip of her nose. “We haven’t known each other long, but it would break my heart to lose you, Little girl.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Me, too, Daddy.”
“Then we stay together forever and ever, baby girl.”
“With a later bedtime?” she asked.
“With an early bedtime for a precious Little girl who needs her Daddy to take care of her. I am listening to you. How aboutthis…. After your bath, I’ll tuck you in bed and read you a bedtime story.”
Coco nodded quickly. “I’d like that. Nothing scary. I have bad dreams sometimes if I watch something violent on TV.”
“Thank you for telling me, Little girl. I’ll monitor what you’re watching before bed. Was the movie okay tonight?”
“Daddy! It was a movie about a house floating on balloons!”
“There were some dangerous spots,” he reminded her before adding, “Will you promise to tell me immediately if something is too much?”
His concern made her feel cherished. Roman didn’t focus on anything he might prefer to watch. No one had ever made her the priority for making choices. She’d always left the room before when things got too scary. “I’ll tell you, Daddy.”
“That’s my good girl. Now, bath time. Come see Daddy’s big bathtub.”
She danced by his side when Roman stood and tugged Coco to her feet. “How big is it? Like two people big?”
“You’ll see for yourself in a second.”
