Chapter Forty-One

Aiden

As soon as Aiden entered the living room he was bombarded by the gaggle of Littles rushing to give him hugs. He knew they were just excited to see him, but he couldn't help the grimace since he hadn't quite been prepared. Daddy looked like he would step in and stop the girls from their mission to squeeze the life out of him, but Aiden subtly shook his head. These women were family and no way would he chance hurting them by stopping them from showing affection. Besides, Aiden thought it was kind of nice to feel cared for and loved. This was his family, the first one that had ever accepted every part of who he was with no reservations. Somehow, knowing that made the hugs not quite as bad as he feared they might be.

"We all brought markers to sign your cast." Arabella exclaimed, holding up a blue marker. Behind her, Jane raised a pink one and Sapphire brandished a purple one. Standing amongst the men was Rich who also held up a marker which looked to be a metallic gold. Rich's shy and uncertain smile reminded Aiden that he'd meant to talk to the other man, but not in a room filled with people so, for now, he offered the other man a smile that he hoped conveyed his gratitude instead.

To Aiden's surprise all the other men, including Daddy held up markers of varying colors as well, as Stone said, "You didn't think only the Littles were signing that cast, did you?"

One by one, each person wrote notes on his cast with a signature.

Be true to you, Sapphire.

One day at a time, Jane.

Broken wrist or not you're enlisted in the next sleepover. Deal with it. Arabella.

Friends forever? Rich

Strength comes in many forms and yours is astounding. Stone.

Way to kick ass! Spike.

Super Pup! Ham

Guess you learned more self defense than you thought you did. Good job! Blade

You are braver than you think and stronger than you know. I'm so proud of you. Daddy.

As Aiden inspected the many notes on his cast, he teared up. The people in this room really were his family, and he couldn't have asked for a better one. When he reached Rich's note he walked over to the other man and plucked the marker from Rich's hand. It was awkward writing one handed and on himself at the angle he needed to reach Rich's note but he did it. With a smile he added the word Best to the beginning and turned the question mark into a heart. Then, he handed the marker back and showed Rich what he'd done.

"Fixed it for you."

Rich inspected Aiden's handiwork, blinking rapidly before throwing his arms around Aiden and squeezing so hard Aiden wondered if he'd ever breathe right again.

"Thank you." Rich's voice was a bit choked up, but Aiden couldn't blame him since he was fighting tears of his own.

The group stayed for over an hour, just laughing and visiting. Aiden had started to become a bit fidgety and had been trying to hide it but apparently Daddy really did miss nothing because, as soon as Aiden had begun to subtly tap his fingers, Daddy had started ushering the group away. Aiden hadn't wanted them to go but as soon as the room fell quiet again, he realized it was probably best for him that everyone had gone home.

Daddy approached and cupped his cheek asking, "How you doin', baby?"

"I'm okay." Aiden replied automatically.

"Are you?" Aiden wasn't sure what Daddy meant until he'd reached down and stilled Aiden's hand which had been tapping on his thigh. "I have an idea, baby. Come with me."

Daddy helped Aiden up and led him into their bedroom. It was truly theirs now. Some time while he'd been sleeping that first day after the hospital, all the guys had helped move Aiden's stuff from his rooms at the clubhouse into the house. They'd even gone in and gotten Octavia for him. He'd woken to find himself completely moved in without having to lift a finger.

Daddy sat on the edge of the bed and drew Aiden between his thighs. "If this is going to work, I first need you to know that it is in no way a punishment and that if we try it and it works for you, it will never be used as one. This is meant to be a safe way to release your emotions, so they won't overwhelm you so often. I don't want it to have bad connotations, so if we do this and it works, it will be taken off the table as a punishment and we'll find other ways to correct infractions. Okay?"

Aiden nodded though he was still pretty confused. Not that he stayed that way long. Daddy was quick to explain, "Collin told me that a spanking might help you release emotions that you might otherwise have a hard time letting go of. So, I'd like to try it and see how it works for you. Are you willing to do that, baby?"

Aiden gulped because part of him wanted to shout that no, he didn't want anything to do with a spanking, but the other part of him had always wondered about them and if getting one would be good for him. He thought his answer through, but he knew if he didn't give this a chance he'd always wonder.

"Okay, Daddy. We can try."

Rocky

Rocky couldn't have been prouder of Aiden at that moment. He'd seen the initial hesitation and even worried for a minute that Aiden wouldn't be willing to give the plan a shot, but he'd quickly taken the leap.

"Good boy. Daddy's so proud of you, baby." Rocky kissed Aiden's forehead before helping him to lower his jeans and bare his beautiful backside. Then, he guided Aiden over his knee and placed a hand on Aiden's back before gently rubbing circles on the plump cheeks of his ass.

For a while that's all he did. Aiden was tense, unsure of the unknown, and Rocky wanted this to be something that helped, not something for him to fear. So, he continued rubbing those soothing circles and whispering words of encouragement until Aiden had finally relaxed over his knees.

Rocky lifted his palm and let it fall with just enough force to cause a slight sting. This wasn't a punishment and he wasn't going for the shock factor, so he continued laying steady slaps across Aiden's round globes, gradually increasing the pressure and watching as the pale skin of his bottom bloomed with shades of pink.

Aiden was mostly silent as Rocky worked, only the occasional gasp or hitch of his breath a sign that the spanking was having any effect, but Rocky wasn't worried, they weren't nearly done yet. By the time he'd finished, Aiden would be releasing everything he tended to keep held in. Rocky had all the time in the world to devote to making sure of it.