Chapter Fifteen

Jack

I'd just sat down, stiff drink in hand, when there was a knock at the door. "Hi."

"Vale, what are you doing here? Are you okay? Is Sarah okay? Please, come inside." Every question tumbled out with no break between.

"Daddy, I owe you an apology."

"You owe me no such thing, sweet boy."

"I do. You opened your heart and your dreams to me and I just…froze."

"It was a lot all at once and I got ahead of myself. I didn't mean to scare you off." Fuck, had I ruined the best thing that'd ever happened to me? Always in forward motion I was, thinking of myself and my wants when I should've asked Vale first.

"You didn't scare me off. I'm here now, aren't I?"

"Yes, but the question is why?" Though I wasn't sure I'd like his answer.

"Okay, this isn't going the way I expected." Vale drew in a deep breath. "Sit."

I wasn't sure if it was the command in his voice or the serious look on Vale's face, but I did as he ordered even though I was supposed to be the Daddy here.

He paced a couple of times in front of the windows before he finally came to a stop. "I had a very interesting conversation with my mom when I got home. Learned a lot of things I didn't know about a father I never met." He shook his head. "Sorry, veered off course. Long story short, I want all the same things that you do, and I want them with you. The house, the life, marriage—the whole enchilada, but you blindsided me with it and I guess I just had to take a step back and assess it. And talk to my mom."

"Come here, sweet boy." I patted my lap, and he curled right up. Fuck, to think I almost lost this, or so I had thought. "I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention. I want to build a life with you, when you're ready. From now on when I go too fast, tell me to take it down a notch and I will. I love you more than anything in the world, Vale."

"I love you, too, Daddy, and I don't ever want to be without you."

In the back of my mind, this was a good idea, though it too could go horribly wrong.

"Good evening, Darcy. How are you today?" Vale and I had just shown up at her house to take her to Blush with us.

"I'm good, Daddy Jack. I've got my bag. I'm ready to go." Already slipping into little space it seemed as she took my hand and walked to the car with us. This bit of information gave me ideas for the playroom I wanted to build for her and Vale and future gifts for Darcy.

"I like your backpack. Are you a little princess?" Vale asked her and she nodded. "It's sparkly and I like the big silver tiara on top."

"Thank you. I like your monkey bag," she giggled. "It fits you perfectly."

These two were adorable. We'd not even made it to the club yet and I couldn't wait to see them play. I knew at some point my cheeky boy would veer away from the pet play area and wind up in the littles' room with his friend. I bet the other littles would love that. Silly monkey.

"All safe," I buckled them both into the back seat as neither wanted to be separated. They were so cute, holding hands and grinning wide-eyed up at me.

We arrived before the club opened and came in through the employee entrance at the rear of the building then walked toward the front where Vivienne's office was.

"Knock, knock," I called out at the open door and peeked my head inside. "Open to guests?"

"Always. It's wonderful to see you, my friend," Vivienne said as we embraced. "I'm dying to meet the boy who stole my best friend's heart."

"Hi," Vale peeked around me. "I'm Vale."

"Vale," Vivienne hugged him. I loved how personable my dear friend was. Don't get me wrong, cross her and you'd pay a hell of a penance. Her inner Domme took no shit. "I can't believe you tamed the bachelor's heart but given how adorable you are, I can see why. And who is this little one?"

Showtime.

Let's see if my feeble attempt at matchmaking worked.

"Ms. Vivienne, this is Vale's best friend, Darcy." I forgot to ask if she used a different name as a little, something to remedy later.

"Hello, Princess. It's wonderful to meet you." Vivienne extended her hand to Darcy. Vale still protectively held Darcy's other hand. Curiously, Darcy assessed Vivienne before reciprocating and I wondered if my forethoughts of a possible connection had been incorrect.

"I'll take them to the changing room and get them ready. I'll bounce between the playroom and pet area." Vivienne nodded though her eyes hadn't moved from Darcy. Did they already know each other? What was I missing here?

Darcy waited in the hall while I changed Vale then took her turn in the room. When she reappeared, she took my free hand as Vale held the other and together we went to the littles' room first.

"Squee!" One of the littles in the room squealed and ran toward us. "Look, Daddy, a monkey."

"My monkey," Darcy said rather firmly.

"Be nice, little one," I warned her, though not as firmly as she'd claimed Vale.

"Is that your Daddy?" another pointed to me and asked. "Do we have to ask him if we can play with your monkey?"

"What do you think, Little Monkey? Do you want to play with the littles tonight?"

Vale glanced from me to Darcy. Insecurity marred her adorable face, and I knew he wouldn't leave her alone. "Yes, please, Daddy," he whispered.

Hand in hand, Vale and Darcy walked to the center of the room where a handful of littles stood, waiting for the silly monkey to pounce. My boy was such a sweetheart and in no time he chased the giggling littles around the room. He'd drop on the floor and roll over and they'd try to catch him. With no obstacle courses in here, he sure had found another way to entertain the crowd and himself.

"He's perfect for you." My friend's sultry voice drew me from the hilarious scene.

"More than you know. What do you think of Darcy?" I had to ask. The suspense was killing me.

"Ah, I wondered how long it would take for you to ask. I see what you're up to, but I can't deny there is just something about her." Vivienne's gaze was on Darcy the entire time we spoke.

Darcy's head popped up as if she'd heard her name and she wobbled over to us and tugged at Vivienne's skirt. "Will you be my Mommy?"

I'd never witnessed a Domme, well, this Domme, stunned silent before as it took her a few moments to answer.

"Yes," Vivienne finally replied, took Darcy's hand and together they went to the reading nook.

My sweaty monkey appeared, having freed himself from the littles pile "Daddy, did you do this?"

"Mayyybbbeee."

Vale laughed. "I think Darcy's okay with us going to the pet room now."

I smiled as I watched Darcy sit in front of the chair Vivienne had claimed, the book Darcy had picked in hand, ready to read to what I hoped was her new girl.

"I think so, too, my love."

The pet room was full of wild animals, literally. There was no rock wall, though I'd be adding one soon along with a rope area where my monkey and others could swing. Vale stood beside me, taking it all in until a rogue puppy appeared at his feet.

"Hello, pup," I said, and he barked. "You want to play with my monkey?"

Bark. Bark.

"What do you say, Monkey? Care to entertain the pup?"

Vale's head bobbed. The pup ran out and came back when Vale hadn't moved and barked at him.

"Better go, Monkey. I don't think your new friend cares to wait any longer."

I watched as the pup led my monkey into the waiting group of new friends. Pups, kittens, another silly ferret, or perhaps the same one from the ship. Now that I thought about it, many of these costumes were familiar so I bet these were old friends Vale didn't realize he'd made.

The other handlers/Daddies and I gathered, chatting about our pets and come to find out, these were some of the same pets from the cruise. What a wonderful world my monkey and I had come into. Play dates were arranged and before I knew it, the time had come for the club to close for the night.

We gathered in the lobby, exchanging numbers and what not. Darcy joined us and as security locked the door, Vivienne emerged from her office.

"Did everyone have fun tonight?" she asked.

"Yes!" Vale energetically answered, though how he still had any energy at all I'd never know. I was worn out just from watching him. "My new friends are the same ones I played with on the cruise. This is so awesome!"

Vivienne smiled. "I'm so happy to hear that, Little Monkey."

"Are you ready to go, Darcy?" Vale asked her and Darcy stared wide-eyed up at Vivienne.

"I'll see to it she gets home safely," Vivienne smirked.

"Ah, indeed you will, my friend." I hugged her as Darcy and Vale did the same, though I did hear Vale whisper, "I'm so happy for you, Darcy. I love you."

"I love you, too, Vale."

My heart was near bursting and my smile wider than ever. Not only had I found the love of my life but it appeared my best friend, and Vale's, too, may have found theirs as well.