Chapter 26

"Are you sure that it's okay? That we're not moving too fast?" asked Rachel.

Isla looked at her girlfriend's surprised face and laughed. "Darling, we moved in together after mere months. I'm in this, we're committed. I'm not going anywhere. And if I'd love to pick out a collar with you, if that's something that you'd like too."

Rachel's face lit up, finally convinced, and turned back to Emma's stall. "Bring out the delicate ones please, Emma!"

Emma smiled. "The ones you really liked that first time?"

Blushing, Rachel nodded, reaching with shaky fingers to touch the pretty necklaces.

"Nothing too obvious," reassured Isla. "I know you have to consider work."

As Rachel perused the stall, Isla caught sight of a woman watching them. Her purple hair caught the eye first, but then it was the longing in her eyes. A sadness that Isla couldn't quite place. She offered a smile, but the moment the woman realized that someone had noticed her, she drew back and hurried off to look at another stall. Odd that someone with such vibrant hair should be so shy.

"Daddy!" Rachel sounded excited, and Isla turned her attention back to her princess. "What do you think of this one?"

It was silver, with an intricate chain; no o-ring adorning it, but a heart locket joined the two ends together.

"It comes with a key," said Emma.

"A key?" exclaimed Rachel, clearly delighted.

Emma and Isla swapped looks of Dommes bemused by an adorable sub. "That's right, a key."

"Well? What do you think?" Rachel's face fell slightly. "Is it a lot? Is the key thing too much?"

"You are mine," said Isla. "My babygirl, my princess, and if you want a locket on your collar, you shall have one."

When Emma nodded, Isla picked up the collar. "Would you like me to put it on you?"

"Here? At the Littles' Market?" Rachel sounded surprised, but not displeased.

Isla stepped closed and kissed her sweetly. "I know the doors are about to open, and the day about to get even busier, but I love you. And I want you to have a reminder that no matter what, I've got you, and you've got me."

"Then yes," said Rachel. "Collar me, Daddy, and let's get to work."

Her fingers tingled as Isla fiddled with the clasp, and she felt joy waterfalling through her. When it latched shut, Emma handed Rachel the locket.

Rachel looked up at Isla, wide eyed and smiling. "Here you go, Daddy."

The weight of the locket in Isla's hand felt like commitment, it felt like strength, it felt like love. Affixing it to the day collar, she leaned down and pressed a kiss to the nape Rachel's neck. "My beautiful girl, my best friend."

Her eyes filled as Rachel turned to look at her, the chain glinting at her throat. "Daddy? Are you okay?"

"Just counting my lucky stars that we found each other," said Isla. "My life is so much better because of you. I am better because of you. The collar may say that you are mine, but I am yours completely, my darling."

Rachel took Isla's face in her palms, and Isla had never felt more cherished. "I got you, Daddy." And she kissed her.

The End