He slowly releases me and carefully pats me dry. When he’s done, he stands and takes my hand. “Think you can walk?”
I take a tentative step and then another. It’s been less than two weeks since I last walked. It’s not like it’s been forever,but my balance is off from the extra gravity I’m experiencing. Nevertheless, I manage to shuffle all the way to the bedroom.
There’s a package on the bed. I didn’t see it before. Daddy lifts me to sit next to it and holds it out for me. It’s a gift. It’s wrapped in pretty paper. I’ve never had a gift before. We never had luxuries like presents on the space station. We didn’t acknowledge holidays or birthdays. We didn’t have the resources for such frivolity.
But I know what gifts are. I’ve seen pictures. I’ve read about them. My hands are shaking as I carefully open the wrapping paper. I’m giddy when I set it aside to open the box.
The breath leaves my lungs as I stare at what I can already tell is a dress.
Daddy holds the box so I can lift the dress out. It’s so pretty. A soft shade of pastel pink with lavender flowers sewn into the hem. The same little flowers make up the straps that will go over my shoulders.
Daddy tosses the box to one side and takes the dress from me. “Arms up, Luna.”
I’m about to cry yet again as he lowers it over my head. It fits perfectly. It falls around me, landing about mid-thigh, which is confirmed when he sets me on my feet on the floor. I lurch forward to hug him. “Thank you, Daddy. I love it. And I love you.”
He wraps his arms around my thighs and picks me up, holding me so we’re eye to eye. “Say that again.”
“I love the dress, Daddy. Thank you.”
He laughs. “Not that part, the other part.”
I blush. I’m not sure either of us was ready for me to say something so important, but it’s out there. I can’t take it back. “I love you, Daddy.”
His grin is huge. “You know what?”
“What?”
“I love you, too, Luna. I didn’t even know what love was until you came into my life. It’s not an emotion we’re used to on Venkoria. But now that I have my own pet human, I’m learning what I’ve been missing out on. Love.” He squeezes me tight.
I squirm in his arms. “You’re going to suffocate me, Daddy.”
He kisses me all over my face, ending with my lips. “Ready for more surprises, Little pet?”
I nod. “Yes, Sir.”
Daddy sets me on my feet and takes my hand. He lets me walk alongside him to the kitchen before lifting me into my highchair. While he buckles me in, he says, “Don’t go thinking I’m going to let you walk all the time. I’m not ready for that level of stress. Baby steps. But sometimes I’ll let you wear a dress and walk, as long as you promise to hold my hand. Stay by my side in case you lose your balance. No running or jumping or giving Daddy a heart attack.”
“Yes, Daddy.” My heart is soaring. I’m so happy, I think I’m going to burst.
It keeps getting better, too, because Daddy pulls some food out of the fridge and fills a plate that I quickly realize is for me. Small portions of some soft foods I’ve never seen before. I’m not familiar with anything they eat on this planet.
I swing my legs while he fixes a much larger meal for himself. By the time he sits at the table with both plates in front of him, my mouth is watering. I can’t wait to eat real food. The formula is good. The kibble is also okay. But I need variety. Those things are boring.
“Yamal assured me these foods are gentle and shouldn’t cause you to have an allergic reaction. We’ll try them one at a time.”
“Yes, Daddy.” I’m not surprised when he fills a spoon with something white and holds it to my mouth. I lean forward andtake the bite. The flavor is unlike anything I’ve tasted before, but it’s good.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, Daddy.” I nod vigorously.
He gives me another bite. I notice the spoon is smaller than the one he uses. My mouth is smaller than his. The second bite is even better.
Daddy is happy. He keeps smiling as he feeds me all of that food and then makes me rest for a few minutes before starting another one. This one is orange. It reminds me of carrots, but it doesn’t taste anything like that. It’s obvious that I’m never going to eat food I was used to on the space station. That’s okay. I’ll adapt.
When the orange food is gone, Daddy makes me wait again and drink some water. I actually love when he lets me have water. It’s so pure and refreshing, unlike the water we had on the space station. Finally he feeds me the last food. It’s green. I wonder if there is more nutrition in colorful foods here like on Earth.
He keeps a close eye on me at all times and seems relieved when I don’t break out in hives or go into anaphylaxis. He still makes me sit and wait while he cleans up from dinner.
