“I can grab some coffee on the way.”
“You will eat breakfast, Coco. I’ll put together your lunch for today. You can grab it on the way out. Now, scoot,” he said, stepping out of her way.
She dashed to shower and dress. Coco never wore makeup to work. The animals licked it off her quickly. After pulling on her cushioned sneakers, Coco rushed to the kitchen.
Roman handed her a travel mug of coffee. “Take a couple of sips to make sure I mixed it the way you like.”
Following his instructions, she tried the hot beverage. It was milky and sweet, just like she concocted it for herself. “Perfect!” she announced with a smile and clung to her cup when he tugged it away.
“Little girl,” he said sternly, holding her gaze until she let go.
“But I want it.”
“You have to pay for your coffee in this house. I think that special brew deserves at least five kisses.”
Her emotions flipped from concern to celebration. She threw her arms around Roman, dancing against him in excitement.
“How did I know that coffee would be all over the front of me if you’d held on to it?” he teased before adding, “I’ll take those kisses, Little girl.”
Coco pressed her lips to his, eagerly paying the charge. She was breathing hard by the time she finished. Leaning against her Daddy’s chest, she reverted to not wishing to go to work again.
“Thank you, Coco. Now off you go. Puppies and kitties need you. I’ll walk out with you.”
He tucked her into her car, setting her lunchbox on the passenger seat and snapping her seatbelt before closing the door. “Only sips of coffee at red lights,” he warned. “Here’s a breakfast sandwich in pieces. Eat it carefully. You need something in your tummy. Text me when you’ve gotten there safely.”
“Yes, Daddy.” She took another bolstering sip of coffee under his watchful eye before setting it down and starting her car.
When she turned the corner, Coco missed him terribly. Who knew that one short weekend with someone could make such an impact on her. She turned on the radio to drown out the voice in the back of her head urging her to go back and busied herself with eating. His homemade concoction was delicious.
When she pulled into the parking lot, Coco had pulled herself together. She gathered her coffee, lunch, and trash. Walking to the door still felt like swimming through pudding. After a weekend of being Little, being a responsible adult was highly overrated.
The welcoming barks and meows helped her dive in to take care of the animals. Her focus changed when everyone was settled to get ready for the day of shepherding pets through exams and treatments. The busy practice was hopping as always on Monday. She didn’t have a second to be lonely.
When she finally got lunch, Coco opened the goodies Roman had packed for her. On each item, he’d attached a kiss sticker in different colors. She stared at the display, blinking away the tears.
Kissy sounds came from behind her. Sofia, usually so reserved and businesslike, slid into the seat next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist to give her a quick hug.“Someone likes you. Let’s see if my lunch is as incredible as yours.”
Sofia opened her lunch to reveal that each of her items had a word taped to it. Quickly, she rearranged them to form two sentences. Drink your water, Little girl. Rewards to come!
Immediately, Sofia picked up her water bottle and grimaced. “I’ve been so busy it’s almost full.” Unscrewing the top, she drank deeply. “I’m going to have to pee all afternoon.”
“But you get a reward,” Coco reminded her. “Do you know what that will be?”
Sofia’s face turned an adorable shade of pink. “Oh, yeah.”
Coco didn’t ask any follow-up questions. She simply picked the red kiss sticker off her sandwich and placed it on her scrub top before sending her Daddy a message. With that sent, she announced, “I’m starting with dessert first.”
“Backward lunch? I’m in!” Isabella announced as she walked into the break room. “Oh, you got a message?” she asked Sofia and rushed to sit down to reveal what her Daddy had sent her. Quickly, she rearranged her lunch to reveal her message.You are precious, Isabella. Hugs soon!
Sofia stuck her tongue out at her twin. “Why didn’t he tell you to drink your water?”
“Mine’s almost gone already,” Isabella reported.
Coco noticed Isabella took a drink before opening her pudding cup. As the receptionist and other techs walked in to join them, Isabella and Sofia shifted into a more professional mode. Pleased the two Littles had accepted her as an insider to share that part of their lives with her, Coco hoped she’d get to meet other Littles.
She crossed her fingers under the table and made a wish to get to live this life forever before diving into the conversation around the table. This staff had become like family. Grieving losses and celebrating triumphs together as they helped animalswho visited, each person around the table supported each other. She felt truly blessed.
Roman’s housewas quiet without his Little there to add fun and company. He headed to his office soon after Coco left for work. Immersing himself in a pile of business that needed his attention, Roman didn’t look up until his phone buzzed around one. A kiss emoji popped up on his screen. His Little girl was eating lunch. He returned the symbol and headed for the kitchen to grab some food.
