Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Lulu

She was his.

And he was hers.

Her Daddy. His Little. But only if they passed the test, and even then, it was only for as long as they were both at the ranch together. “ While we’re here.” This was strictly a holiday romance, and Louisa was okay with that.

Wasn’t she?

She blinked her eyes as pale winter sunlight streamed through the lace curtains. Her cozy quilt was pulled up to her chin and Flopsy was hugged close to her. She nuzzled his fuzzy rabbit ears and rubbed her nose on his soft belly.

“I’ve never had a Daddy before, Flopsy. Not even for a day, never mind for a whole Christmas. I’m going to make the most of this time.”

Flopsy didn’t say much, but his presence alone was reassuring. “I’m not going to get caught up in worrying about the future,” Lulu said. “I’m going to enjoy the holidays. And I’m going to enjoy today so much!”

Ben had asked her whether she wanted to have playtime in the ranch Nursery today. She was excited but nervous, too. She didn’t want to make any mistakes or do anything wrong. The word he had used was “test,” and there was no way on earth that she wanted to fail.

“I’m going to be brave,” she said to Flopsy. “And do my best!”

Lulu hopped out of bed with a giggle and twirled to the wardrobe. She selected a red Christmassy dress covered in tiny embroidered snowflakes with a lacy Peter Pan collar. The flowy skirt swished around her knees. Soft white socks and glittery jelly sandals completed the playful look.

After a hearty breakfast with some of the other Littles in the dining hall, Louisa made her way to the nursery.

Although she’d had a meeting with Zoey there the other day to talk through the illustrations for the book, she hadn’t actually spent much time playing. She was keen to give it a try.

Butterflies danced in her tummy as the Nursery door came into view. She paused, fingertips grazing the smooth wood, and took a deep breath. What magical moments would unfold in this special place today?

Easing the door open, Louisa peeked inside. Soft pastel hues and twinkling fairy lights greeted her. The cozy space overflowed with plush stuffed animals, colorful toys, and whimsical decorations. It felt like stepping into a storybook world where imagination ruled and grown-up worries melted away.

Perched on a fluffy beanbag chair in the center of the room was Ben. He looked up from the picture book in his hands, blue eyes crinkling with a warm smile. "Hello, Lulu! Come on in, babygirl."

Louisa skipped over to him, a bright grin lighting up her face. She felt aware of a few pairs of eyes watching them, but seeing as she and Ben were working on the carnival together, people didn’t seem all that surprised to see the two of them together. Or, at least, they didn’t seem surprised until the hug happened.

Ben set the storybook aside and held his arms open wide. Lulu happily snuggled into his comforting embrace, breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne. All her nervous flutters disappeared, replaced by a deep sense of safety and acceptance. She looked around at the wide eyes watching her and giggled happily.

"Good morning, Daddy," she murmured, nuzzling her cheek against the soft fabric of his shirt. "I'm so excited to play with you today."

Ben pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Me too, little one. I have all sorts of fun things planned." He pulled back slightly to meet her gaze, eyes sparkling with playfulness. Quietly, he asked: "But first, I wanted to check how your bottom’s feeling after yesterday?”

She couldn’t help but blush. “Careful, Daddy,” she said. “A lot of Littles seem to be staring at us right now.”

He grinned widely. “I don’t mind. I’m proud to be seen with you. We’re not doing anything wrong. Chuck was the one that tried to matchmake us, you know.”

“He was?” she asked, shocked.

“Apparently, it’s kind of his thing. I think he did a pretty good job, don’t you?”

Lulu smiled. “I feel like we matchmade ourselves, honestly, Daddy. The moment I bumped into you with all my drawings.” She winced at the memory. “Although you did seem kind of distant that day.”

Ben nodded. “I had pretty much sworn off intimacy before I met you, Lulu. Told myself I had to focus on work. No distractions. But there’s something about being here, among all this holiday cheer . . . well, let’s just say it’s warmed old Scrooge’s heart.”

She chuckled. “Glad to hear it. And by the way, my bottom is doing fine. A little bit hurty. But I like it. Reminds me of what we did yesterday.”

“Good girl,” he said. “Now I think you need a proper 'good morning' kiss from your Daddy Dom!"

Louisa let out a delighted squeal as Ben peppered her face with silly smooches, tickling her sides until giggles bubbled out of her. Her cheeks flushed pink with joy. When he finally relented, they were both breathless with laughter. It was so easy to feel close to him, like it was no effort at all.

"There's my happy girl," Ben said fondly, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "Now, are you ready for a day filled with giggles, surprises, and lots of Daddy-Little time?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Louisa bounced eagerly on the beanbag. "What are we going to do first? Can Flopsy join in too?" She held up her beloved stuffed rabbit, wide green eyes pleading.

"Of course Flopsy can play with us." Ben gave the bunny a gentle pat on the head. "Hmm, why don't you pick out your favorite coloring book and crayons? We'll start our morning with some Christmassy arts-and-crafts time."

"Ooh, goodie!" Louisa hopped up and scurried over to the art supplies. She plucked a Christmas coloring book from the shelf and a fresh box of crayons, presenting them to Ben. "All set, Daddy!"

Settling in at the child-sized table, Ben flipped open the coloring book as Louisa plopped down beside him. He watched her small hands carefully select the perfect shades of pink and purple. A wave of warmth spread through his chest, marveling at the trust and vulnerability she placed in his care.

In this magical bubble, the rest of the world fell away. Louisa happily scribbled away, her imagination dancing across the pages. Ben's hand rested protectively at the small of her back while he colored alongside her, stealing glances filled with deep affection. Their laughter rang out as he scribbled silly faces on the prince and princess.

Surrounded by toys, love, and acceptance, Louisa felt truly cherished. Ben's steady presence wrapped around her like a soothing lullaby. In his eyes, she saw herself reflected—not as broken or strange, but as a treasured Little, cherished exactly as she was.

Lulu lost track of time. The coloring, and her Daddy’s gentle, encouraging presence, was all there was. Eventually, when she’d completed countless pages of the book, Ben held up the beautifully illustrated copy of The Night Before Christmas . "How about we read a story together, Lulu? Something to get into the spirit of things?"

Her face lit up with delight. "Yes, please!" She giggled, bouncing on her toes.

Leading her to a cozy reading nook, Ben settled into the plush cushions and patted the space beside him. Louisa eagerly snuggled up, resting her head against his sturdy shoulder as he draped a soft blanket over their laps. The scent of his cologne mingled with the pages as he cracked open the book.

As Ben began to read, his voice took on a magical quality. The words of the classic tale filled the room, painting vivid images of Santa and his reindeer flying through the winter night. Louisa's eyes grew wide with wonder as she listened, her imagination soaring with each verse.

As Ben continued reading, Louisa found herself drifting into a daydream. In her mind's eye, she pictured Santa Claus soaring across the starlit sky, his sleigh filled with gifts for children around the world. She imagined herself riding alongside him, the wind tousling her hair as they journeyed through the night. Ben's soothing voice served as a comforting anchor, grounding her daydream in reality.

In Ben's arms, the outside world melted away. No more worries about being misunderstood or judged. Here, she could simply be Little Lulu, safe and cherished. His soothing voice wrapped around her like a warm hug, and she felt her eyelids grow heavy with contentment.

As the story reached its happily ever after, an idea sparked in Louisa's mind. She sat up, eyes twinkling. "Daddy, let's play Night Before Christmas!”

He smiled, puzzled. “Okay. But how?”

“We can build a pillow fort, which will be the house,” she explained, “and we can make the stuffies be the children.”

“And this guy can be Santa!” Ben added, finding an actual Santa Claus doll, complete with reindeers and sleigh.

“Hmmm, are you sure?” she said playfully. “Doesn’t look much like him to me.”

He laughed. “We’ll have to use our imaginations. Pretend he looks like the real Santa. Two heads, lizard tongue, orange frilly dress.”

She gave a hearty belly laugh. “And don’t forget the real Santa has curly feet,” she said. “Like a great big snail on the end of each leg.”

“Oh yes,” agreed Ben solemnly. “We won’t forget the snail feet.”

They chuckled together then sprang into action, gathering every cushion and blanket they could find. Laughter filled the air as they draped sheets over chairs and stacked pillows high. Ben lifted Louisa up to tuck in the edges, making sure their little house was ready for a visit from Santa.

Crawling inside, they strung twinkling fairy lights along the house's cozy walls. Louisa gasped in wonder, her eyes reflecting the magical glow. "It's perfect! The bestest, most amazing house ever!"

Louisa clutched her beloved rabbit, Flopsy, close to her chest while Ben arranged the Santa Claus doll and his miniature sleigh within their cozy dwelling. She shivered with anticipation as she imagined the scene unfolding before her like a magical storybook come to life.

"Daddy, look how magical it is!” Louisa exclaimed, her voice filled with childlike wonder. "I can almost see Santa flying over our house with his reindeer! Do you think he'll stop by and leave us presents too?"

Ben chuckled warmly at her excitement, his eyes alight with an affectionate gleam. "I wouldn't be surprised if Santa and his snail feet make a special visit just for you.”

Nestled in their enchanted Christmas pillow house, Louisa felt a profound sense of belonging. With Ben by her side, she could let her imagination soar and her true self shine.

All of a sudden, she felt a pang of sadness. It was almost overwhelming.

Instantly, Ben sensed that something was off.

“What is it, darling?”

She fidgeted with the hem of her dress, voice growing softer. "Sometimes . . . sometimes people don't really understand me. When I let my Little side show, they think it's weird or immature."

Ben shifted to face her, his expression gentle and attentive. "I'm listening, sweetheart. It's okay to share what's on your mind."

Tears pricked at the corners of Louisa's eyes. "Back home, I always felt like I had to hide this part of me. Like I couldn't truly be myself without being judged." A sniffle escaped her. "It's been lonely, Daddy."

"Oh, Lulu. . . " Ben tenderly wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. "I understand how painful that must have been. Feeling misunderstood, especially about something so deeply personal."

Louisa nodded, finding solace in his validation. Ben continued, his voice warm and reassuring. "But I want you to know that here, with me, you never have to hide. Your Little side is a beautiful, precious part of who you are."

A watery smile formed on Louisa's lips. "Really? You don't think it's . . . too much?"

"Not at all, princess. Embracing your true self is so important. It's brave, and it's the key to finding genuine happiness." Ben's eyes shone with sincerity. "I've been on my own journey as a Daddy, learning how to create a safe, nurturing space for Littles like you."

Curiosity piqued, Louisa tilted her head. "What made you want to be a Daddy Dom?"

Ben smiled thoughtfully. "I've always had a protective nature and a desire to care for others. When I discovered the ageplay community, it resonated deeply with me. I knew I wanted to be a source of comfort, guidance, and unconditional love."

Louisa's heart swelled with appreciation. "You're really good at it, Daddy. I feel so safe and accepted with you."

"That means the world to me, Lulu. I'm honored to be a part of your journey." Ben's expression brightened. "And speaking of journeys. . . "

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden charm shaped like a bunny—a perfect miniature of Flopsy. Louisa's eyes widened in surprise and delight.

"I made this for you," Ben said softly, placing the charm in her palm. "A reminder that you're special and cherished, no matter where your path takes you."

Louisa cradled the tiny bunny in her hands, marveling at the intricate details. Each delicate line spoke of Ben's care and dedication. Tears of gratitude welled up once more.

"It's beautiful, Daddy," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Thank you. For everything."

“Something to remember me by. When you’re back to your real life.”

She bit her lip. “Right. When this is all just a memory.”

There was a moment of silence, then Ben drew her into a warm embrace, the string lights casting a comforting glow around them. In the safety of their pillow fort haven, Louisa felt the weight of loneliness and self-doubt melt away.

"I feel really happy when I'm with you," she admitted, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.

Ben smiled gently, his blue eyes reflecting the warm glow of the lights. "And I feel honored to be here for you, Lulu," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "Seeing you find happiness here brings me so much joy."

"Daddy?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can we . . . can we keep exploring this together? Our special dynamic? Have I passed the test yet?"

Ben looked surprised. “Oh, honey, I’m not testing you. When I talked about a test before, I meant we were just testing out . . . this. This . . . relationship. Seeing if we were both comfortable with it?”

“And are we?” she asked, her lip trembling.

“So far,” Ben said, giving her a grin, “I’m loving every minute of it. Possibly too much.”

She frowned. “Can there be such a thing?”

“No, no,” he assured her. "I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just having a good time. That’s all. And as long as you are, too, then we’ll keep taking things further. As far as you’d like to go. Your happiness and well-being are my top priorities."

“I know it’s not forever.”

“Right.” His voice caught in his throat. “I came to Littlecreek to learn how to open my own ranch.”

“I understand. You don’t have time for a relationship in your real life.”

Please change your mind. Please change your mind.

“I’m glad you understand.”

It was hard not to feel disappointed. She wanted to cling onto this feeling forever. But everything has to come to an end eventually.

Ben began to hum a soothing melody, his deep voice resonating through his chest.

Louisa closed her eyes, allowing the comforting vibrations to wash over her. The tune was unfamiliar, but it felt like coming home—a lullaby that spoke of safety, belonging, and unending love.

Be in the moment, Lulu , she told herself. The moment is all you have.