Clearing his throat like a caller about to read from a royal decree, Daniel opened one of the papers. “One: Always speak respectfully to Mommy and the other adults on the Ranch. Two: School and Ranch rules are to be followed at all times. If anyone on the Ranch has a reason to punish you, then you will receive a second punishment from Mommy as well.” Moving the paper down, he wrinkled his nose. “That doesn’t seem fair.”
As he read, Addison plucked the onesie she’d chosen from the pile. “It is entirely fair, little boy. You aremine, which meansyou will conduct yourselves accordingly. If you do not, you will answer to me. Understood?”
“Yes, Mommy,” they chorused together.
“Good.”
But when Addison held up the onesie, Kylie balked, taking a step backward. “Oh, um, I don’t wear those in public.”
“Why not?”
Pink flooded her cheeks. “They’re too… Little.”
“Ah, I see. And you are such a very Big girl.”
The color in Kylie’s face deepened as she shifted from foot to foot. “I’m notthatLittle.”
“Hmm.” She could push, insist Kylie wear the onesie because Mommy had told her to. But she’d promised her babygirl she could veto any item she wasn’t comfortable with, and she intended to keep that promise.
Still, she wasn’t going to give in quite that easily. “Would it really be too much for you to wear it? Even with the skirt? If it is, you can tell me and I won’t be mad. But it would make me so very happy to see you in the outfit I picked out.”
“It’s okay, Ky,” Daniel offered encouragingly. “I bet you can’t even tell it’s a onesie once you put the skirt on.”
Nibbling at her bottom lip, Kylie glanced back and forth between them. “Can I change my mind if it’s too hard?”
“Always, baby.”
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“That’s my good, brave girl.” Rising to her feet, Addison pulled the onesie down over Kylie’s head. “Keep reading, Daniel.”
“Oh, um, right. Three: Always be honest with Mommy. Four: No naughty words, even when you’re Big. Aw, man.” Addison looked over at him and he immediately continued. “Ah… Five: Always ask Mommy’s permission to leave the Ranch. Six: Your pleasure belongs to Mommy. You may play together, but youare not allowed to come without Mommy’s permission. Seven: At least one serving of vegetables with every meal, and only one sweet treat per day unless Mommy says otherwise.”
“Define one sweet treat,” Kylie said as Addison helped her into her fluffy black skirt. “Like, technically one Hershey kiss could be defined as ‘one sweet treat’ but so could a whole brownie.”
“A single serving of your chosen sweet. Which means one scoop of ice cream from the ice cream bar, Kylie Anne.”
“But,Mommy.”
This was clearly going to be one of the rules her babygirl struggled with the most. “If you ask me politely, I’m willing to consider additional sweets on special occasions. But you will ask first. Trust me when I tell you that I am not the person you want to play the ‘ask forgiveness rather than permission’ game with. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Mommy,” Kylie grumbled, her bottom lip puffing out in an adorable little pout.
“Good girl.” Cupping her Little girl’s face in her hands, Addison leaned in, brushing her lips over Kylie’s. “I know this is hard, but you’re being so very brave for me and I’m so proud of you, baby.”
“Really?” Pleasure lit Kylie’s eyes. “You’re proud of me?”
“Yes, baby. I’m so very proud of both of you. But there’s one more rule. Daniel?”
“Oh… Um. The last one says that when Mommy isn’t around, um, I’m in charge.” His voice rose to an uncertain squeak as he finished the sentence. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I am counting on you to set a good example for your sister. And that you will be responsible for reporting any naughty behavior to me, both your own and Kylie’s.”
Jaw firming, he shook his head. “I’m not a tattletale.”
“You aren’t tattling. You are being my Big, responsible boy.” Tilting her head to the side, she studied him, letting her gaze roam his face until he shifted uncomfortably in front of her. “Unless you’re too Little for so much responsibility?”
Perhaps it was cruel of her, but it was a delight to watch the struggle play out on his face. Her boy wanted so badly to be Big, at least bigger than Kylie, but he also wanted to protect her.
