Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

The rest of the day is a whirlwind of activity. After feeding me a bottle, Daddy puts me in a playpen and tells me I'm not allowed to stand inside it. He leaves me surrounded by toys while he makes a lot of phone calls and does things on his computer.

I don't ask many questions, but I know he talks to his boss at the clinic, Dr. Morgan, someone who's in charge of sponsorships on the island, and two other doctors—Dr. Pedersen and Dr. Keys. He lets them all know he'll be returning with me and that he'll need some time to help me get settled.

It sounds like his boss is very kind. Daddy tells me he'll be able to take the next week off. Other nurses will cover for him. He also tells me he'll be taking me straight to the clinic when we arrive tomorrow.

Even though it will be a Sunday, Dr. Morgan will meet us at the clinic to give me a thorough checkup. I'm not too excited about that part, but I understand Daddy is worried about my injuries.

At first, I feel kind of silly playing with all the toys in my playpen. I'm twenty years old. I haven't had toys in years. My father didn't let me take any with me when we moved. He said I had to be a woman and learn to do things around the house. He felt almost the same way about toys as he did about books.

I'm lured to the dolls, though, and I eventually pick one up and hold her like a baby in my arms. Like Daddy has held me several times. She's very pretty with a pink dress and eyes that close when I lay her down. I'm very careful with her because she's not mine. She belongs to Noah. I don't want to get her dirty.

When Daddy comes to check on me, he leans over the side of the playpen, propping himself up with his elbows. "Do you like that babydoll, sweet girl?"

I nod and carefully put her back. "She's very pretty."

"You've been rocking her and staring at her for a long time."

I bite my lip.

Daddy points toward the shelf. "I think there are some clothes over there that fit her. You could change her outfit. She probably has diapers, too."

I shake my head. "I don't want to mess her up. She's not mine."

Daddy swallows and reaches over the side of the playpen to stroke one of my braids. He put my hair in braids after he had his mouth on me and made me come. He taught me several words while I sat very still and let him fix my hair.

I almost cried at how careful he was and how attentive. He never pulled my hair once. And I learned that come is the same as orgasm . The little button that feels so good is my clitoris, but Daddy calls it my clit more often. The special hole behind my clit is my vagina. That's where Daddy's cock will go when I'm ready.

Some of the words are words I've heard before, he was very patient explaining them to me so I wouldn't wonder what he was talking about in the future.

After stroking my braid, Daddy reaches across to where I set the doll, picks her up, and hands her to me. "You can keep her, Baby girl. Let's find everything that came with her and take it all with us."

I gasp. "I can't take her. She's not mine."

He smiles. "I'll order another just like her and have it shipped here to replace her, okay? I promise Noah won't mind. She doesn't belong to a specific Little girl."

"Why does Noah have so much stuff if he doesn't have his own Little girl?" Daddy told me Noah was just prepared for when he found her, but it seems like he's far more than prepared.

"Sometimes he watches someone else's Little for a day or two. Sometimes he invites a Little to spend time with him. They don't have to be his own special Little for him to take care of them."

"Oh." I stare at the doll for a moment and then slowly pull her against my chest. I hug her tight. If she were a real baby, I would be squishing her too hard. My heart is racing. I love her so much. I can't believe she's mine.

Daddy strokes the top of my head before he steps over the gate and into the playpen. He squats down and gathers up all the things that seem to belong to my doll. He makes a pile of clothes, diapers, blankets, bottles, and pajamas. "There," he declares. "I think I got it all. I ordered you a pretty backpack. When it arrives, we'll put all your things in it."

I purse my lips and keep my gaze on the doll. I don't want to cry.

"Have you named her?"

I shake my head. Not yet. I haven't let myself get too attached to her. I finally turn to look at Daddy. He's smiling, but he looks sad at the same time. His brow is furrowed as he strokes my arm.

"Thank you so much, Daddy."

"You're welcome, Little one. I placed an order from the toy store on the island. They will deliver some things today so when we get there tomorrow, you will have plenty of stuff to play with."

"When can we go to the library?" I ask. I wince immediately. I don't want to sound ungrateful.

He smiles. "As soon as you want, Little one. How about we plan to stop there after we see the doctor, yeah?"

I can't stop the smile that splits my face. Books. I want to hold them against me. I'm so excited. "Maybe my dolly can go with us. She should learn to read, too."

"That's a great idea." He strokes my sore wrist. "How is your arm feeling this afternoon?"

"It's okay. It's better." It does feel better, but I know it will take a long time to heal.

"That's a good sign. I'm going to have the doctor take X-rays tomorrow just to be sure."

I wiggle my wrist and look up at him. "I don't think it's broken, Daddy. X-rays are expensive."

He cups my face. "You'll be under my insurance, Little one. Daddies on the island take their Littles to the clinic far more often than people go on the mainland. It's preventative. In your case, I want X-rays of your entire body. I want to be certain you don't have any internal damage we need to be aware of."

"Okay," I mutter. There is no way I'm going to be able to talk Daddy out of going to the clinic. I might as well accept it.

"Good girl."

My body gets warm when he calls me his good girl .

"I have something for you, Little one."

I glance around. "Where?"

"One of the packages that came earlier. Want to come see it?"

I nod. I'm excited. I shouldn't be letting him buy me things, but I'm swept up in the excitement. Someone cares. Daddy does.

He gently lifts me out of the playpen and props me on his hip. "Hold on to your doll, Little one."

I keep her tight against my chest.

Daddy sits on the recliner, settles me across his lap, and then reaches down to pick up the package next to him. It's flat and still in the brown delivery packaging.

I put my doll in my lap and take the mysterious gift from his hands.

"Pull the little tab across the top to open it," he instructs.

I give a tug, and it unravels in a curly Q. When I reach inside, I squeal. I don't have to pull it out to know it's a book, but I yank it out and let the packaging fall to the floor.

"Daddy!" At first, I don't care what book it is. It's a book, and it's mine, but then as I'm petting the front of it, I realize it's the same book I showed Daddy in the nursery—the one that got burned in the fire.

I can't help the fact that I start to cry.

Daddy sets my doll on the end table and hugs me to his chest. "I'm a horrible Daddy," he says.

I frown as I sob. "Why?"

"Because I keep making you cry."

I shake my head. "These are happy tears, Daddy. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever gotten me." I hug him tighter. I'm such a lucky Little girl.