* * *
“It’s a picture of a flying monkey eating a banana?” Caleb guessed, a look of near-desperation on his face.
Aww. She was starting to feel a bit sorry for him.
“No, it’s not, Daddy.” She gave a soft sigh, shaking her head. “You really can’t see what it is?”
His shoulders slumped. “I can’t.”
“Never mind, Daddy. You can’t be great at everything.”
He raised his eyebrows. “And when did you get so wise, jelly bean?”
“I’ve always been wise. Pay up.” She held out her hand. He shook his head but placed a small package of black jelly beans on her hand.
“You’re not allowed to eat them now.”
She pouted. What ridiculousness was this?
He tapped her nose with his finger. “You’ve had enough sugar today. Save them for tomorrow.”
Enough sugar? Was that a thing?
“I need to use the bathroom. Do you need to go potty?”
She scrunched up her nose. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to hearing him use the word potty.
“No, Daddy. I don’ts gotta go.”
He gave her a skeptical look. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I is sure. I would know. I is a big girl. And I can go all by myself.”
“You’re not a big girl.” He leaned down and rubbed his nose against hers. “You’re my precious baby girl.”
“Daddyyy,” she complained but she was smiling. She loved when he said things like that. Being his baby girl was amazing. Being here with the three of them was a dream.
No pinching. No pinching.
“Meant what I said.” He pointed a finger at her. “No eating any of those. You’ve had enough sugar today. Wolfe is going to have a fit if you eat anymore.”
She pouted. Surely just one or two wouldn’t hurt, right?
She’d been spending more and more time in the playroom. It was easier when she was in here to let her Little side out. She guessed it was because this was a space just for her Little. Where she could relax. She’d been spending the afternoon with Daddy. He’d dressed her up in these cute green overalls. They had bloomer type shorts that puffed out and straps that crossed over at the back. On the front was a picture of a turtle. She wore a tight white t-shirt underneath.
She looked super cute.
Biting her lip, she looked over to the bathroom door. She was sure she could sneak a couple of jelly beans without Daddy seeing.
She opened the package enthusiastically and they all flew everywhere.
Her lower lip dropped open and then trembled. “Oh no! My jelly beans have mutinied. Daddy! My jelly beans have all gone! Daddyyyy!”
“What happened? What is it?” He raced back into the room. “Why are you upset, jelly bean? Did you hurt yourself?”
“My jelly beans went e-everywhere! I lost them all!” she wailed, throwing herself into his arms for comfort.
He hugged her, rubbing his hand up and down her back. “Hush, now. We can get them all back.”