Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
The next door he opens on the hallway is clearly an office. I step inside. “Why do you have two desks, Daddy?”
He points to the one under the window. “That one is new. It’s for you.”
I jerk my attention to him, my mouth falling open. He warned me about having a nursery. He didn’t mention a desk. That somehow feels even more permanent. I wander toward it and run my fingers along the white surface. “You put a desk in here for me?”
“Yep. I’m hoping you’ll start staying here part time. I know it will be a transition, but I want you to feel at home here, and I want you to be able to work from here without needing to go home. I even have a second laptop you can use.”
Tears come to my eyes, and I swallow hard, trying not to let them fall, but they do anyway.
“Hey, Baby girl,” he soothes as he sets my suitcase down in the hallway and comes to me. He takes me in his arms and holds me close. “Are these tears over a desk? You’re going to start bawling when you see the nursery,” he teases.
“It’s just a lot.” I sniffle. “I can’t believe you mean it. Every day I think you’ll change your mind, and every day you show up.”
He unties my coat and pulls it off before draping it over the back of the desk chair. “I won’t change my mind, princess. I’m wrapped so tightly around your little pinky I can’t ever extricate myself.”
I wrap my arms around him and hug him so tight. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome, princess. How about we go see the nursery, yeah?”
I nod against him and let him guide me out of the office and into the next room. And then all the breath leaves my lungs. My knees go weak as I stand two steps into the room, letting my eyes scan the entire area.
The furniture is all white. All the accessories are a pastel pink. And there is a lot of it. Dresser, bookshelf, toy box, small table with two chairs, rocking chair, crib, and changing table. I stare at those last two items for a while before tipping my head back to look at Daddy. “I love it so much, Daddy.”
He wraps his arms around me from behind and sets his chin on my shoulder. “I’m so glad, Baby girl.”
“It’s set up for a very young Little,” I whisper.
“I’m guessing in the long run you’re going to enjoy spending some of your time at a younger age. We’ll ease into it and see what works for you.”
I turn my attention back to the crib. It’s so pretty. One side is down so a Little girl could easily get into it, but my heart races just thinking about how cozy I would feel sleeping in the enclosure.
Daddy releases me. “Go look closer. Explore. Touch everything. Whatever you don’t like, we’ll return.”
I head directly toward the crib and set my hand on the fitted sheet. It’s soft pink and made out of the same material as my sheets in my apartment. “How did you know?” I whisper.
“Daddy pays attention to everything, princess. I got the same sheets for my big bed too.”
I gasp as I turn my head to look at him. “You did?”
“Yep. When you’re ready to sleep in Daddy’s bed, you will not have to worry about the sheets irritating your skin. They are baby soft. I wish I’d known about them years ago. I’ve never felt anything so soft in my life.”
I’m so emotional and overwhelmed but in a good way. I swipe at the tears that trickle down my cheeks. I turn my attention back to the room and wander toward the bookshelf, taking in all the books, coloring books, games and puzzles. The toy box is filled with stuffies and dolls. The rocking chair is big enough for Daddy to sit in it with me in his lap easily.
I stop at the changing table and finger the pile of soft folded items on the shelf. “What are these, Daddy?”
“Diapers, Baby girl. Special ones for Little girls who have sensitivities. I got a few different brands we can try out. They don’t crinkle and they’re supposed to be gentler around your legs than normal elastic.”
I flatten my palm on the pile and take deep breaths. Is it weird that I want to try them? I’ve never considered wearing a diaper. The idea should be foreign to me. But I’m curious, and the thought of lying in that crib wearing one makes my heart race.
Daddy is behind me again, his hands on my shoulders. “There’s no rush, Baby girl. We’ll try new things over time.”
I turn around to face him. “I think I want to try them. I think I want to try everything.”