“Because it’s not too much for me and the more time I spend with you, I realize that I want… Ineedto be that person… your person.”
Palmer felt like electricity was coursing through her body. The feeling made her jittery and she jumped from his lap.
“M-my person?”
Beau squeezed his hands into fists and then unclenched them. Palmer noticed the bead of sweat on his brow and the only thing that kept her from giving into the terror swirling around her belly, was the fact that he looked as scared as she felt.
“Palmer, you are the sweetest Little girl I have ever met. You are kind, precious, brave, beautiful…”
Unable to bear his words, she rushed forward and slapped her hands over his mouth, cutting off his compliments. He chuckled before licking her hand. She snatched it back and despite her big feelings, she laughed.
“That’s hard to believe,” she admitted, her voice timid. Talking about all of her feelings was so very hard.
“How I feel about you?” Beau reached out and grabbed the hem of her skirt, before pulling her back into his lap.
“No. Well, yes, but also that you would want to be my D-daddy.”
“It’s hard to believe I would want to beyourDaddy? Honey, I’m pretty sure there’s a line of single Daddies and Mommies hoping to claim you. Once you’re not so scared, I’m sure you will be able to see that a lot of Bigs are interested in you.”
Palmer whipped her head around so quickly that her curls hit Beau in the face. “No.” Surely he was wrong, very, very wrong.
“Yes,” Beau confirmed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“But the truth is you’d never be too much for the right person because communication is always key in any relationship. If something becomes too much, you’d have to trust them to communicate that with you.”
Palmer thought over his words, letting them float around her rapidly racing mind. It was a lot to take in.
“It’s okay if you need to tuck those words into your pocket for later too, honey. You’ve been so brave today and it’s absolutely okay to just take it one day at a time. Not every piece of the puzzle has to fit together today.”
“Master Beau?”
“Yes, honey?”
“I.. I really want you to be my person too. I don’t know very much… I don’t have very much experience with dating or relationships…goodrelationships. I’m scared a lot, and I get nervous. And I don’t like when it feels like people are mad at me. I’m still learning w-who I am too, so it might be a lot of work… being my Daddy, but if you’re willing to c-communicate with me l-like you said, then I-I would like to try it.”
“Then we will try it, baby. We can go as slow as you need. Together.”
Together.
Palmer woke up the next morning, excited about her day. She sat up on the bed and rubbed her eyes. Last night, Master Beau had brought her back to the dorm and tucked her into bed. It had been so lovely. He’d even given herandher new baby a forehead kiss goodnight.
She rushed to get ready. He’d told her last night he had some business with Master Derek this morning, so she was going to have breakfast with Miss Catherine and her family. She had just put her new baby in her backpack when someone knocked on the door.
She put on her best smile and opened it.
“Good morning, Palmer,” Miss Catherine greeted. She looked so beautiful in a pink summer dress and shiny gold sandals.
“Good morning, Ma’am.”
“I’m so glad you’re coming to breakfast with us! I’ve been wanting to play with you for so longs!” Pippi declared. She was dressed just like her Mommy. How precious!
“You have?” Palmer asked, shutting the door behind her.
“Duh.”
Palmer’s cheeks pinkened at her words, but she knew Pippi wasn’t trying to be unkind.
“Piper Webb!” Miss Catherine scolded, stopping in the middle of the hallway. She grabbed her Little girl by the arm and smacked her bottom four times.
