Tears filled Coco’s eyes as she sat on the floor with Muffin cradled in her lap. The others joined her, chattering amongst themselves about the decorations in the room.
Zoey’s observation was so true. The nursery had astonished her that first time she’d walked inside it. Now, the space meant so much more. Coco could picture her Daddy sitting in the rocker, watching her as she slept. Over there was her punishment corner. She hated that consequence but Roman never left her alone. He always made sure she was okay—even after she’d been naughty. Of course, he’d taken such intimate care of her here, making all Coco’s fantasies come true and creating new ones for her.
“Are you okay, Coco?” Isabella asked softly when she noticed Coco wipe her tears away.
“I’m so good. I can’t believe this is my life.”
Zoey reached over and pinched her lightly. “You’re definitely awake! You know all the fun has just started for you. We’re going to have so much fun together.”
“Do you think the others will like me?” Coco asked.
“Of course, they will. Everyone is excited to meet you,” Zoey shared.
A question popped into Coco’s head. “How many met through PLAYTIME?”
“Oh, gosh! A lot. We’d have to ask Daddy to know the total now. Each day there’s more people in different places,” Sofia shared before looking at Zoey and Isabella for help. “Who can you all remember as meeting through PLAYTIME?”
“Us, Madi, Oliver, Neil, and Lydia,” Isabella recited.
“Don’t forget Tim. He found his Daddies on PLAYTIME,” Zoey added. “We’re forgetting someone…”
“Matty and Emma! They found their Daddy on PLAYTIME. And each other!” Sofia said.
“That sounds like a lot of people,” Coco suggested and realized she should entertain her visitors. “I can’t wait to meet them. Would you all like to play a game? Does anyone like Go Fish?”
“I love that game,” Zoey told her.
In a few minutes, Muffin was sleeping in her warming box, and the Littles had stretched out on their tummies with the pile of extra cards in the center. Coco didn’t think she’d ever laughed so hard. Zoey dropped her cards at least four times. Isabella kept lying and getting caught by her sister. By the time Roman came to get them, Coco was laughing so hard, she almost wet her pants.
Roman took one look at her face and whisked her to the bathroom as he announced, “Little girls, your Daddies would like you to meet them in the dining room.”
“Daddy, you don’t have to help me.” Coco ran to the toilet while frantically pulling down her leggings. Roman closed the bathroom door behind them before freeing her from the tangle her clothes had become. She sat down in the nick of time.
“Thank you,” she said after a few seconds.
“You’re welcome, Little girl. I’m glad you were enjoying yourself so much you forgot to potty.”
“They’re really nice. I’m done, Daddy.”
He had her dry and put back together in a jiffy. As they stood washing their hands at the sink, Coco looked up to see her handsome Daddy in the mirror behind her. His arms reached around her in an almost hug as he rubbed soap over their skin. Her heart ached with happiness.
“Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” he answered before glancing up to meet her gaze. Instantly, he pulled her close. “Are you okay, Coco?”
“I’m better than okay, Daddy.”
“Me too, Little girl. Are you ready to go have some noodles?”
“Yes, please!”
CHAPTER 17
Coco and Muffin sat on the porch waiting for Roman’s car to pull into the driveway. He’d spent the day at Frank Wilson’s trial. Roman had testified about the bad things Frank had done—bringing a gun to the mall, taking an employee hostage, causing mass hysteria, etc. He also detailed how his former manager had failed to relay the situation and share that Frank had requested to meet with Roman on multiple occasions.
While Coco assured Roman over and over that he wasn’t responsible for Frank’s actions, she suspected her Daddy regretted not having the chance to address Frank’s predicament. When he stepped out of the vehicle, he smiled at her. Instantly, she was relieved. Had everything gone that well?
“What happened, Daddy?” she asked.
