Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Ben

That morning, he suddenly realized that he felt like a different person.

The previously laser-focused, work-obsessed Ben suddenly felt like a stranger. Replaced by a man who couldn’t stop thinking about his Little.

That’s right.

She was his .

Maybe it was only for a few more days, but that didn’t change the fact that someone as perfect and charming as Lulu wanted him— him —to be her Daddy Dom.

He was the luckiest man alive.

There had been so many incredible moments. The spanking. The kisses. The nursery play. Hell, even seeing her at meal times and catching her eye across the room was pure magic.

And then there was last night. Last night, they had gone to see Chuck, to ask him to draw up a temporary contract for them. Even though their relationship wouldn’t last forever, Ben wanted Lulu to know that he was serious about things. That he would abide by the correct protocol around her. That he wasn’t about to lie to her or let her down or hurt her.

Chuck had drawn something up for them with a big, knowing smile, and left them to fill out the more personal details with one another. Hard limits. Soft limits. Promises. It had been eye-opening to see how compatible they were, to say the least. Lulu was very open-minded when it came to toys and parts of her body she wanted to explore. She was extremely submissive, and all she asked was that Ben helped her to stay in the moment, to focus on all the sensations and sounds around her. Which, of course, he was more than happy to do.

They had also discussed protection. Lulu, it turned out, was on birth control, and both of them had been tested for STIs upon arrival at the ranch, which was standard practice. Knowing all of this, how easy it was for the two of them to just fit their bodies together as one, was powerful information. Ben had thought about it a lot. Whether it was fair on Lulu given the temporary nature of their situation. Whether he had the willpower to hold himself back from suggesting it. Whether that was the right thing to do.

Over the past few days, caring for Lulu had become as natural as breathing. He loved being her Daddy, guiding and nurturing her, watching her blossom with confidence and joy. A warmth bloomed in his chest at the thought of seeing her smiling face at the breakfast table.

He made his way to the dining room in the main lodge where Lulu was already seated, hands clasped eagerly as she waited for him.

"Morning, pumpkin," he greeted, ruffling her chestnut curls. "Sleep well?"

"Uh-huh, Daddy!" Lulu chirped. "I had the best dream about riding Strawberry the horse through a field of lollipops! It was just delicious!"

Ben chuckled. "Is that so? Lollipops, eh? Sounds yummy.”

“Do you think it’s a sign that I should have lollipops for breakfast?”

“Maybe you can have a lollipop later on. But first, some healthy fuel for your day, little miss. Have you eaten anything yet?"

She shook her head. “Nope. Waiting for you, Daddy.”

He smiled. “Good girl.”

He went up to the breakfast bar and filled his tray with plenty of food for them both. Returning to Lulu, he set a stack of pancakes in front of her, and popped a couple of banana slices on for eyes and a blueberry mouth. "Tell you what—if you eat all your fruit like a good girl, we can take Strawberry on an extra-long trail ride later. Deal?"

"Yay! Thank you, Daddy!" Her emerald eyes sparkled with delight as she dug into her food.

Ben watched her affectionately, his heart swelling with contentment. Her pure joy over the simplest things made him happier than he could ever remember being.

As she polished off the last berry, Lulu beamed up at him. "I did it, Daddy! Cleaned my plate!"

"Good job, babygirl," Ben praised, the words flowing easily off his tongue.

Lulu preened under his approval, and Ben felt a deep sense of fulfillment wash over him. Being Lulu's Daddy, providing the loving guidance and care she needed to thrive—it had quickly become the most meaningful part of his life. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

How would he ever bring himself to leave her after the ranch?

Shit.

What if he couldn’t?

And this wasn’t the only concerning thought on his mind. Back when he’d been with Kayla, he’d been very fond of her, to be sure. But she hadn’t gripped his heart quite like this. Hadn’t made him forget everything else in the world around him. Was this what true love looked like? No. Surely not. It was too soon for that. This was just . . . an infatuation.

After breakfast, they headed to the lounge, eager to continue the preparations for the upcoming Christmas Eve carnival. Ben followed behind Lulu, his longer strides easily keeping pace with her excited skipping.

Inside the bustling common area, Littles and their Caregivers worked together on various projects. Colorful streamers hung from the rafters, and the air smelled of paint and glue.

Ben’s management of the carnival was going well. The stalls for the magical Christmas forest had all been built, and the supplies for the Christmas games and activities had arrived.

He felt proud that he’d managed to corral so many people who he didn’t know, and there had been no disagreements or disputes of any kind.

All that was left were the final touches.

Lulu made a beeline for the decoration table, her eyes widening at the array of craft supplies.

"Look, Daddy!" She held up a glittery foam star, bouncing on her toes. "Isn't it pretty? I think these would look perfect on the. . . "

Her words trailed off as inspiration struck. She grabbed a handful of stars and dashed over to the tree in the corner, arranging them on the branches with intense concentration.

Ben watched, amazed by her creative vision.

Lulu flitted from one idea to the next, her enthusiasm infectious. She enlisted Ben's help in cutting out paper snowflakes, giggling as he struggled with the tiny scissors. "Here, let me show you, Daddy," she offered, with a sly grin, her nimble fingers making quick work of the intricate designs.

Their rapport felt so natural, thoughts flowing seamlessly between them. When Lulu needed a steady hand for a tricky bit of gluing, Ben was right there. When he couldn't decide between two shades of blue for the banner, she instinctively pointed to the one that perfectly matched her vision.

Hours flew by. Ben couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so fulfilled, so connected to another person.

Later, as Lulu focused on painting a backdrop for their interactive exhibit, Ben noticed a flicker of doubt cross her face. Her brush strokes became hesitant, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

"What's on your mind, sweetpea?" he asked gently, crouching beside her.

Lulu's gaze dropped to her lap, her voice barely a whisper. "What if . . . what if it's not good enough? What if everyone thinks it's silly?"

Ben's heart clenched at the vulnerability in her tone. He tilted her chin up, meeting her watery eyes with a reassuring smile.

"Lulu, your art is incredible. It comes straight from your beautiful heart." He brushed a thumb across her cheek, catching a stray tear. "When people see this, they'll feel the joy and love you pour into every brushstroke. Trust me, little one."

She leaned into his touch, a shaky smile blooming on her face. "You really think so, Daddy?"

"I know so," Ben affirmed, pulling her into a hug. "Never doubt how special you are, Lulu. Your art brings light to everyone around you, just like you've brought so much light into my life."

“You don’t think it’s too out there? Too weird?”

“Of course not. It’s perfect.”

“At the greetings card company, my boss always says I’m too creative for my own good.”

“No such thing as too creative, darling.”

“The cards I have to do are so boring. It’s just Easter Bunnies at Easter and, you know, Santa at Christmas. I’m never allowed to think outside the box. In fact, I’m punished for it.”

“Must be tough to keep having to draw the same thing.”

“It is! But mostly I just hate the way my boss belittles me. It’s so hard to ever believe in myself, to be brave enough to trust my instincts.”

Ben held her close, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair, wondering how many weeks it took before you really could say you loved someone. Probably months. Maybe years. Definitely not days.

“Hey Lulu,” Zoey’s quiet voice popped up from nearby.

“Hey, hon!” his Little replied.

“Want to hang in the Nursery for a while? I need to zone out and play.”

Lulu looked up at him. “Can I, Daddy?”

“Of course. Go have some fun. I’ll see you later.”

She gave him a squeeze and scampered off with her friend. He hated seeing her walk away from him. Another thing that was different back when he was with Kayla. As much as he loved her company, he always looked forward to having his own space. Right now, though, he felt jealous and possessive as hell any time another member of the ranch got to spend time with Lulu. Maybe it was because their relationship was just temporary. He knew that he needed to make the most of this brief time together, which made him get antsy whenever that didn’t happen.

After making sure that everything was running smoothly for the event, Ben decided to go for a walk. He hoped that the crisp air and beautiful scenery would help clear his mind.

As he strolled through the ranch, his boots crunching softly in the snow, he marveled at the beauty surrounding him. The vast expanse of untouched snow spread out in all directions, interrupted only by the occasional animal track or set of hoofprints. Frost-laden trees stood like sentinels, their branches heavy with delicate icicles that sparkled like diamonds. The air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of pine and wood smoke from the cozy cabins. In the distance, he could see a herd of cows peacefully grazing, their breath forming fluffy clouds in the cold air.

Lost in thought, he barely noticed Chuck approaching until the older man clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"How’s it going, Ben?" Chuck asked, his keen eyes studying Ben's face.

Ben blinked, a smile tugging at his lips. "Good, thanks. It’s another perfect day here.”

“Sure is easy on the eyes, huh?”

“You know, I've learned so much here, Chuck. Not just about running the ranch, but about myself too."

Chuck nodded, a knowing glint in his eye. "And how are things with Lulu? I was very pleased you came to me last night about a contract. You know, I haven’t always looked so favorably on staff members at the ranch having relationships with one another, but . . . well, strictly speaking, you two are just visitors. And, more importantly than that, I’m getting soft in my old age. You two are just about the greatest thing since sliced bread. You’re clearly perfect for each other."

A blush crept up Ben's neck. He hesitated, but the genuine concern in Chuck's gaze compelled him to be honest. "How do you know that? If someone’s perfect for you?"

Chuck shrugged. “It’s simple really. If you like the person you are around them, and if you like the person they are, then chances are, it’s the real deal.”

“And you can tell that just by looking at the two of us?”

“I can tell that you’re both being yourselves. And that you’re both thriving in one another’s company.”

Ben couldn’t help but smile. “We are.” The smile quickly faded. “Problem is, the holidays won’t last long.”

“Is that a problem?” asked Chuck, raising an eyebrow.

Ben shifted. "I won't have time for a relationship afterward," he replied, but even as the words left his mouth, a part of him protested. “And she’s in Philly. I’d only make her sad, let her down.”

Chuck hummed, a thoughtful look on his face. "You know, sometimes the best things in life are the ones we don't plan for. If it’s meant to work, though, you’ll find a way."

As Chuck's words sank in, Ben felt a tug in his chest. The idea of leaving Lulu behind, of returning to a life without her laughter and warmth, suddenly seemed unimaginable. Yet, the fear of hurting her, or of messing up his ambitions to open a ranch and help all those Littles who needed him, seemed unimaginable too.

Chuck seemed to sense his inner turmoil. He squeezed Ben's shoulder, a fatherly gesture of support. "I'm sure you'll make the right choice, son. Just remember, love's always worth the risk."

With a final nod, Chuck strode away, leaving Ben alone with his thoughts swirling like the light smattering of snowflakes around him.

At dinner, Lulu was nowhere to be seen. Ben went to the Nursery, to see if she was still there, but the room was empty. Eventually, he found her in the craft room, hunched over her worktable, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Little one," he called softly, crouching beside her. "Have you eaten dinner?"

She glanced up, her eyes wide and slightly unfocused. "Oh, um, not yet, Daddy. I just wanted to finish this. . . "

Ben shook his head, gently but firmly taking the paintbrush from her hand. "No, sweetheart. You need to take care of yourself. That means eating regular meals."

“But I had so much fun with Zoey in the Nursery and I didn’t have time to finish, and what if I can’t finish in tim?—”

“Baby, I know you want to do well, but you have to look after yourself before you can look after anything else.”

Lulu pouted, a protest forming on her lips, but Ben's stern gaze brooked no argument. He guided her to the dining area, his hand resting reassuringly on the small of her back.

As they sat together, Ben took her plate and filled it high, before returning to her. A playful smile danced on his face, and with deft movements, he began cutting her food into whimsical shapes—stars, hearts, and even a little bunny.

Lulu giggled, her earlier resistance melting away. "Daddy, you're so silly!"

Ben chuckled, warmth blooming in his chest at the sight of her smile. "Anything to make my little girl happy."

As he watched her tuck into her meal, Ben marveled at the effortless way their dynamic flowed. The care, the gentle discipline, the laughter—it all felt so right, so natural.

After dinner, Ben took Lulu back to the craft room. They settled on the plush rug, the children's book spread out before them, pages filled with Lulu's whimsical illustrations.

"Okay, so for the interactive exhibit," Lulu began, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "is it too late to make a treehouse?"

“It might be a little too late. We only have a few days.”

“What about a kind of . . . fake tree house?”

“Fake?”

“Like a flat piece of wood, painted to look like a treehouse? And we could use it on stage during the reading of the book, too?”

“That could work.”

Lulu bounced her knees up and down, her enthusiasm infectious. "Yes! And we could put little stuffed animals on the roof, like squirrels and songbirds! Ooh, maybe we could put a wise owl on the roof, and somehow we could make it say things during the event? Maybe if we put a speaker inside it, it could introduce the story?”

Their laughter echoed through the lounge as they playfully debated the merits of talking rabbits versus wise old owls. Ben felt a lightness in his chest, a sense of pure joy that had eluded him for so long. Chuck was right. He liked himself around her. That’s what he’d been missing for so long. It wasn’t like Ben hated himself by any means. But he’d always felt like he had to be helping someone, doing something big and life-changing for humanity, in order to be a worthwhile human being.

Around Lulu, though? He felt like he was enough.

As the night wore on, they found themselves huddled close, sketches and notes scattered around them. Lulu's head rested on Ben's shoulder, her soft breaths tickling his neck. He savored the closeness, the trust she placed in him. But sadly, it was difficult to enjoy the moment, because he knew it was going to end.

Suddenly, Lulu lifted her head, her green eyes searching his face. "Daddy, is everything okay? You seem distant."

Ben's heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by her perceptiveness. He hesitated, the old walls threatening to rise, to shield him from the vulnerability of truth. But as he gazed into Lulu's eyes, he saw only compassion and understanding.

With a deep breath, Ben began to speak, his voice low and measured. "I . . . I haven't always been good at this, Lulu. Opening up, letting people in."

“Really? You seem good at it.”

He told her of his past relationship with Kayla, of the hurt that still lingered like a dull ache. The thing that hurt most of all, he explained, was that he never felt good enough for her. He spoke of his fear of making himself vulnerable, of discovering that he still wasn’t good enough for a partner. The words tumbled out, a cathartic release he hadn't known he needed.

Throughout it all, Lulu listened, her hand gently clasping his, her thumb tracing soothing circles on his skin. She didn't interrupt, didn't offer platitudes or empty reassurances. She simply held space for him.

As his words trailed off, Lulu squeezed his hand, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "Thank you for trusting me, Daddy. I know it's not easy, but I'm here for you. Always."

Ben felt a lump form in his throat, a swell of emotion threatening to overwhelm him.

He pulled her close, his arms encircling her petite frame, and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head. "Thank you, babygirl. You have no idea how much that means to me."

As they held each other, the crackling of the fire and the distant sounds of the ranch fading into the background, Ben felt a shift within himself. A dawning realization that perhaps, just perhaps, he was ready to take a leap of faith, to open his heart to the possibility of something more.

“Lulu, would you like to take our relationship to the next level?”

She squirmed in his arms. “I would love that, Daddy!”

He felt heat surge in his chest. “Come on,” Ben said, heart pounding, “let’s head to my cabin.”