Chapter 20

"Good heavens, Maya! Is there a hurricane going on out there?" Ellie asked when Maya raced into Little Cakes.

"Just inside La Havana," Maya explained, trying to pat down her hair. She'd yanked the hair covering off to race to the cupcake shop before they closed. "Sorry to get here at the last minute. We've been slammed today. That's a good thing, but I haven't even had time to pee today, and Daddy suggested we get some cupcakes."

"Go to the bathroom. I've got you," Ellie promised.

With a grateful nod, Maya raced into the bathroom. When she came back into the dining area, Sue was sweeping the floors as Ellie wiped off the tables. "I really got here at the last minute, didn't I?"

"I put the last Malted Milk cupcakes in a box for you and your Daddy, Maya," Ellie told her cheerfully. "And I will always open the door for you. We're being super-efficient today to get out of here because a bunch of us are all going to Blaze. You should come some time."

"That would be fun."

"Why don't you come after work? That's early. The crowd will gather later," Ellie explained.

"I'll talk to Deke," Maya promised, but thought ‘not tonight.' "Look at me. I look like I took a bath in salsa."

"I'm sure I have some Little clothes that would fit you. You're not too much shorter than I am," Ellie said, assessing her friend.

"Oh, I don't want to stretch your clothes out," Maya said quickly.

"Stretch them out? Not likely. I'll bring some just in case." Ellie walked with her to the counter where a box of cupcakes awaited.

"You're so sweet. Maybe we'll see you there," Maya told her as she opened her billfold to pay. She knew they'd never get there tonight.

Minutes later, she walked slowly down to the restaurant with the cupcakes. It would be so fun to see what an adult club looked like. She was sure it was all black and red with velvet and leather everywhere. Lost in thought, she almost walked past La Havana's door.

"Hey, Maya. Come in and sit while you wait for Deke. I know you're exhausted. Did you get dinner?" Mateo asked.

"No, but that's okay," Maya answered, sliding into a booth after setting the cupcakes down carefully.

"No, it isn't. Sit. I'll go grab some of the cheese and crackers I keep in the office to munch on."

In a few minutes, he was back with a bottle of cold water and a treat. "These were all I had. Peanut butter crackers."

"Thanks, Mateo. I love those," Maya said gratefully, tearing into the wrapper.

"I do, too." He pulled another pack out of his pocket and opened it up.

They sat there quietly eating for a couple of minutes.

Maya studied his face before daring to ask, "Can you tell me about Blaze?"

"It's a fun place. There's a Littles area with lots of space to have fun. Are you thinking about going tonight?"

"I don't really look like I should go tonight. I won't impress anyone looking like this," she said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"After a quick shower and brushing your hair, you'll be fine. There's always an excuse not to try something new," Mateo counseled.

"Are you going tonight?"

"I'm taking Nora. She likes having time to enjoy herself without responsibilities."

"Will it be strange to see me being Little?" Maya asked, forcing herself to be brave.

"No. I want you to be happy. If being Little makes you happy, why would I have a problem with that? If you'd chosen destructive things—drugs, alcohol, crime—I would have had a big problem. Being yourself isn't a problem."

Maya smiled at her brother. "Thanks, Mateo. Deke makes me happy. I love him as much as he loves me."

"I'm glad to hear that, Precious Girl."

Hopping to her feet, Maya rushed toward the handsome man who had approached without her noticing. "Hi, Daddy."

"Would you repeat that last part again, Precious? I never get tired of hearing it," Deke said with a smile on his face.

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Maya."

Deke swept her into his arms and gave her a fierce kiss that made her heart beat faster. When he lifted his head, Deke told her, "I'm never letting you go, Precious Girl."

"I'm okay with that," Maya answered, clinging to his shirt.

"Congratulations, you two. Welcome to the family, Deke." Mateo stood and held his hand out to Deke.

"Thank you, Mateo," Deke answered as he shook his hand.

"I got cupcakes, Daddy. Ellie and Nora are going to Blaze tonight. Could we go home and clean up a bit? I think I'd like to go, too."

"I think that is a great idea, Precious Girl. I think you'll have a lot of fun. Go grab the cupcakes and we'll be off," Deke instructed.

* * *

Looking around as they walked in, Maya clung nervously to Deke's hand. Maybe this isn't a good idea.

"Deke! Maya! I'm glad you came tonight. There has been a spy sent from the Littles' daycare every ten minutes. Look, here's the next one," Bear said, pointing to Ellie who peeked around the door.

"Maya! You came." Ellie rushed in to hug her friend.

"Ellie, they have some paperwork to fill out, and then I'll bring Maya to you," Bear told the excited Little.

"I could just stay here," Ellie suggested, holding Maya's hand.

"I could just tell your Daddy that you didn't stay in the daycare as he instructed," Bear mentioned casually.

"You never saw me!" Ellie said quickly before hugging Maya again. She whispered into her friend's ear, "Everyone can't wait to meet you."

Maya didn't have time to answer as Ellie raced back down the hall. "Is she going to get in trouble?"

"I think she's okay," Bear reassured her, pointing toward Ellie's Daddy, Garrett, who watched from a position just out of view. "Come into the office and we'll get everything set up for you."

In just a couple of minutes, they stored their things in a locker. Maya liked seeing her things intermingled with Deke's. That simple visual image reassured her that this relationship was real.

"You're thinking too hard, Precious Girl. Come on. I bet the Littles are getting impatient," Deke told her, taking her hand.

"Are they going to like me? My Little, I mean."

"They like Maya. Your Little is just a part of you. They already like your Little," Deke reassured her as they got closer.

He laughed and pointed at the row of Littles lined up against the half wall of the daycare. They all waved and called, "Hi, Maya!"

Maya walked faster as she returned their greetings. When she got inside the play area, there was a swarm of hugs from everyone she knew and introductions to a few people she didn't. Everyone seemed very nice.

"Come color with us!" Riley invited. "I have a new tattoo design, and I need color suggestions. Would you color one for me?"

"Of course."

Maya didn't have any tattoos, but she knew that it was important to get everything right when putting something permanently on someone. "What a great way to try out different combinations."

"Whatever we decide is the best, Riley's going to make temporary tattoos for us to wear," Daisy told her.

"That's neat," Maya answered.

She looked around at all the different ways the Littles colored their suggestion. There weren't any with somber colors. She picked up a deep brown and started filling in some of the areas. As she added different shades of brown and dark red, the design popped off the page. It looked totally different from everyone else's.

"Wow," Nora exclaimed, looking at Maya's progress. "I wouldn't have thought of using those colors on the design. It looks amazing."

"Wait until I'm finished. I may screw something up," Maya said with a laugh.

"I don't think so," Riley commented, nodding as she watched Maya color.

A new voice interrupted their discussion. "Isn't this an adorable collection of Littles," he commented from the entrance to the daycare.

Maya looked up to see the older man her mother had tried to fix her up with at La Havana. Immediately her face heated, and she knew she was blushing. "Oh, no," she whispered to the others.

"Maya, your mother should have shared with me that you're a member of Blaze. That would have been much easier than me sending roses every day. I have kept my messenger service busy."

Deke stepped up next to the man and cleared his throat before speaking pointedly. "Membership in Blaze is kept confidential. While Maya's mother might be aware that she is here, it's not up for general conversation."

"Oh, of course. I would never out a member to her family," the man explained. "We haven't met. My name is Salvador Solis. I have been wooing Maya since her mother suggested we should date."

Deke looked at him skeptically before turning to Maya. "Precious Girl? Will you come join us?"

Maya stood up and walked to them, feeling everyone's eyes on her. "Yes?"

"This is Salvador Solis."

"Hi. I remember you from the restaurant," Maya said politely.

"Have you enjoyed the roses I've sent?" Salvador asked with a gallant wave of his hand.

"You're the one who sent flowers?" Maya said, trying to keep her mouth from gaping open.

"Of course. Who did you think was lavishing blossoms on you?" Salvador said, looking confused.

"We actually viewed them as a threat," Deke explained for her.

"Really? Oh, I didn't mean that at all. I was trying to be mysterious. I'm so sorry, Maya."

"It's good to know now that I don't have to watch my back. I'm glad we ran into each other," Maya said graciously.

"And I see that we would never be a good match. I'm actually looking for a Domme," Salvador shared. "I miss my late wife very much."

"I'm so sorry," Maya said, feeling his pain.

"We had many years together. I wish you well, Maya. Deke." He nodded as he said each name to excuse himself from the conversation.

"You have to take really good care of your health, Daddy," Maya told him when the older man was out of hearing distance.

"And I will take good care of you, too, Precious Girl. Now go play with your friends. They have missed you," Deke suggested.

Smiling at him, Maya skipped back to the table and took her seat back. Without hesitating, she picked up her crayon and rubbed it over her picture.

"Is everything okay?" Sue whispered.

"It's really good. Thank you for being concerned." The stress that had been with her since the roses began was dissolving.

"I have an idea," Ellie suggested, drawing the attention her way. She leaned forward to whisper, "Everyone send your Daddy away. I don't want them to hear this."

Immediately, all the Littles swarmed toward the half wall where the Daddies all stood chatting. Each urged their partner to go sit down and relax. They knew they were too obvious when Maniac commented, "I think they're trying to get rid of us."

"Oh, no, Daddy. You were just complaining about your knee today at work. I'm trying to take care of you," Tatiana assured him.

When the Littles were all once again huddled together, Ellie began, "I'm planning two parties. One here at Blaze and one at Little Cakes. To keep the Daddies from getting suspicious, choose your favorite one. I'll have the other Littles who aren't here tonight sign up when they come into Little Cakes. Don't tell your Daddies that it's anything important. Just a small gathering of Littles to color or something like that," Ellie warned.

"Then we'll smuggle in fun stuff?" Maya asked.

When everyone turned to look at her, Maya backtracked, "I mean we'll be good girls and color?"

"We will definitely not be good girls," Ellie assured her and everyone nodded their agreement. "We're just amazed how well you're going to fit in with this group."

Cheers erupted from the other Littles, and Maya grinned at all of their happy faces. She was going to love being part of this group. "I have a naughty side," she confessed.

"I do, too," Kiki shared, shifting uncomfortably on her bottom.

There was a moment of silence and then giggles filled the air.

"What? I'm not always bad," Kiki protested.

Tears of mirth streamed from several Littles' eyes. Maya jumped up to grab the tissue box and bring it to the table.

As they dabbed their eyes, Elizabeth commented, "I want to go to the party Kiki is at." She held her hand up to the other Little for a high five and everyone chimed in their "Me, too."

"I can't wait to see all the parties," Ellie commented. "Here's the list. Oops, here comes Davis. Slide it under your picture, Maya."

"Just checking on everyone," the handsome man said, looking around the angelically lifted faces.

"We're having fun coloring, Daddy," Sue shared.

Maya was impressed. She didn't look nervous at all. It was as if Sue wasn't lying at all. Maya looked at the crayon in her hand and pressed it to the paper. She was coloring! Sue didn't have to lie. Oh, these Littles are good. She had so much to learn.