35. Ally

Watching the movie with Luke had been so comforting. She didn't cry as much as she normally did when she had watched it alone. She had no idea how he was able to enjoy the movie given how closely he was watching her, though he seemed to genuinely enjoy it.

Hearing him tell her he wanted to watch it every year with her made her feel so good, knowing that he wanted this to be one of their traditions. He had made the entire evening special, from trying to recreate her mom's Christmas Eve dinner to decorating the table with place settings for them with their own ornaments.

Ally knew her parents were there with them in spirit; she could feel them around her. She also knew they would approve of Luke. Her mom would have loved him, and her dad would have become good friends with him. She so wished they could have met the sweet man who swept her off her feet.

"Okay, little girl. It's time for bed. Little girls need to go to bed so Santa can come."

"Awwww, but, Daddy I wanna stay up," she said, trying to give him sad puppy dog eyes in hopes he would give in.

Luke gave her the look that told her she was going to be in trouble if she didn't obey.

"Santa doesn't bring presents to naughty little bunnies who don't obey their Daddies."

Sticking her tongue out at him, she threw her head back onto a throw pillow in an attempt to look pitiful.

Luke chuckled, reaching out to tickle her tummy. She screamed and giggled, trying to squirm out from under his tickle attack.

"Daddyyyyyyy, stopppp!"

He continued tickling her until he was on top of her on the couch, his face only inches from hers.

"Are you going to obey Daddy and go to bed?"

Sticking her lip out dramatically in a pout, she nodded her head. Luke smiled and kissed her pouty lip.

"Good girl. Come on, I'll tuck you in and read you a story."

"Wait, Daddy, we have to set out cookies and milk for Santa!"

Luke chuckled and nodded. "Okay, baby girl."

He helped her pick out cookies, setting them out on the counter along with a glass of milk. She insisted on setting out carrots for the reindeer as well. When she was satisfied with what they left out for Santa, Luke effortlessly picked her up, carrying her to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he unzipped her pajamas down to her crotch, squeezing the front of her diaper to check it before slipping his finger inside the leg to check the inside.

"I think all the hot cocoa went right through you, baby."

Ally blushed. She still felt shy whenever he talked to her about the state of her diaper, though it became less and less embarrassing as time went by. It was becoming such a natural thing between them. Diaper changes and using her diaper no longer felt quite as awkward or humiliating. She also knew how proud it made Luke when she used her diaper. He quickly changed her into a dry diaper, zipping her pajamas back into place and patting her padded bottom proudly.

"Okay, pick your story. I have three Christmas books for you to choose from."

Ally looked at each of the illustrated books, unable to decide.

"Can't you read all of them, Daddy? It's Christmas Eve after all and I've been sooooo good."

Luke smiled, shaking his head. "Baby, you kill me. How am I ever going to be able to say no to that face?"

Ally grinned, popping the pacifier into her mouth that he had held out to offer her.

"Pleading the fifth, huh? Okay, I'll read all three. But don't get used to three bedtime stories. This is just for tonight."

Clapping her hands, Ally wiggled down into the blankets. Luke laid next to her, propping himself up with pillows. Before he even finished the first story, Ally had already fallen asleep.

The next morning, Ally woke to the aroma of maple and bacon filling the air. She felt at home in his house, like she had belonged there all along.

Luke appeared in the doorway and Ally felt her heart pitter patter. She loved him so much and couldn't ever imagine her life without him. He had saved her when she needed it the most and helped her heal, supporting her through it all and never wavering.

"Merry Christmas, baby girl."

Sitting up in bed, Ally grinned. "Merry Christmas, Daddy."

"Who's hungry for Santa pancakes?"

Ally raised her hand excitedly. She loved that he always did cute shapes with her food. It made it taste extra yummy and also made her feel very Little.

Luke chuckled, making his way into the bedroom to the side of the bed.

"Okay, let's change your diaper because I'm sure once you see what Santa brought, you are going to be a busy Little girl the rest of the day."

Ally laid in place quickly, excited to see what Santa brought for her. Luke changed her, carefully wiping her folds, lingering briefly when she moaned against his hand before pulling away and fastening a clean diaper on her. She protested briefly but knew they had all day to play together. He always loved to tease her during diaper changes until she was practically begging him for more. She found it very hot that he did that and by the time he gave her what she wanted, she was nearly coming undone as soon as he entered her.

"Come on, baby."

Following him to the living room, Ally looked around in awe. More boxes surrounded the tree, big and small, wrapped in different colored metallic paper. He had Christmas cartoons playing on the TV and a blanket spread on the floor for her.

Pointing toward the mountain of gifts, she looked up at him wide-eyed. "Is all that for me?"

Luke laughed and nodded. "Yes, baby. Daddy and Santa couldn't help ourselves."

Ally giggled. "You and Santa are the same person, Daddy."

Looking shocked, he shook his head. "No, we're not, and Santa would be hurt that you would say such a thing."

Giggling, she wrapped her hand around his thick index finger and followed him to the kitchen to find only crumbs left on the cookie plate that was set out for Santa. Luke set her in her highchair and placed a plate of Santa-shaped pancakes in front of her, along with a sippy cup of chocolate milk.

"Let's eat, baby, and then we can go see what's over there."

Ally nodded happily, accepting the bites of food he offered her. When they finished, Luke put the dishes in the sink and carried her to the living room, setting her on the blanket he'd laid out. He started bringing her gifts, telling her to wait to open. She started to peek into a bag until she got caught and he threatened to spank her, though his tone was playful and light when he said it.

Luke finally sat down on the couch and told her to start opening. She opened box after box of new dresses, onesies, toys, books, art supplies, stuffed animals, and movies. She squealed excitedly and thanked her Daddy each time. His expression looked as excited as she felt, and it made her happy to see him so happy. He had become so relaxed around her compared to when they first met, and he wasn't nearly as grumpy as she originally thought.

By the time she was finished opening everything, Ally was surrounded by paper and boxes. Luke worked to pick up the paper and stuff it in a garbage bag, clearing the space around her. Crawling to his feet when he sat back down, Ally reached up for him to pick her up. He did so without hesitation, pulling her into his lap.

"Thank you for everything, Daddy. I didn't expect any presents and you totally spoiled me, but I love everything so much."

Luke pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. "I know you didn't expect any presents, Ally. That's why it makes it so special for me to do these things for you. I'm so glad you like it all."

Ally relaxed in his arms, feeling happier than she'd felt in years. Christmas no longer made her feel sad. There had been moments that the emotions of missing her parents washed over her, but those feelings didn't overtake the entire holiday. She also felt that those moments of sad emotions were her way of healing a little bit at a time. She would always miss her parents, but she knew Luke would help her celebrate their memory each year moving forward.

"I think I see a few more tiny presents over there sitting on some tree branches. Go get them and bring them here."

Ally sat up and scanned the tree, locating three small, wrapped boxes on tree branches. Standing from his lap, she waddled to the tree and picked up the tiny boxes, bringing them back to him. He pulled her into his lap again, taking the boxes from her. He handed her one of the boxes wrapped in green paper.

"Open this first."

Ally obediently opened the gift to find a set of keys with a fob.

"You are not driving your death mobile anymore. There's an SUV out in the driveway for you to drive from now on."

Ally squealed, looking at him wide eyed before jumping from his lap and running to the front door, flinging it open. She stepped out on the deck and found a burgundy-colored SUV with a huge red bow on it parked in the driveway.

Luke walked up behind her, smiling as she stared at the vehicle, speechless for several minutes.

"Daddy, this is too much. You can't buy me a car."

Luke grinned down at her. "I can do whatever I want. I am the Daddy. No arguing, baby girl, or you might find yourself over my knee on Christmas."

Smiling up at him, she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

"Thank you, Daddy."

"You're more than welcome, baby. Come on, you have more boxes to open."

She followed him back inside where he pulled her into his lap again, handing her a second box. She opened it and looked at him, confused when she saw another set of keys.

"Those are keys to the house. I want you to move in here, Ally. You belong here, with me, in our home."

Tears sprang to her eyes as she pulled the keys from the box. "You really want me to move in?"

Luke lifted her chin until she was looking at him. "More than anything in the world, baby. You belong here. I couldn't imagine you not being here with me."

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Ally pulled him in to kiss her. She wanted to be with him, too. She didn't ever want to go home to an empty house again. Ally felt as though her life couldn't get any happier. She felt his grin against her mouth when she nodded and whispered yes to moving in.

"Okay, one last box to open."

The last box was even smaller than the previous. When she pulled away the wrapping paper, she held a tiny velvet box. Luke took it from her hands and opened it, displaying a sparkling diamond ring.

"Oh my God!" she squealed, her hands coming up to her mouth in shock.

"Ally Blake, I need you in my life forever, not just living with me, but as my wife. You have become my everything and made my heart come alive again. I want to be with you forever, as your Daddy and asyour husband. Will you do me the honor of being my baby and my wife forever?"

Nodding her head, Ally could feel her entire body trembling as tears of happiness streamed down her face. She watched Luke blink back his own tears as he took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger.

"Use your words, Ally."

"Yes, Daddy! Of course!"

Luke pulled her shaking body closer to him, holding her tightly while she stared at the beautiful ring. She had never thought she would find someone to marry, and she had accepted that, but now she had found someone who wanted to marry her, and she wanted nothing more than to marry the amazing man who found her on the side of the road on a snowy night and saved her.