Chapter 9

Sadie was almost bouncingwith excitement as they walked down the corridor toward Master Derek's office. She seemed almost more excited than Mandi did at the prospect of Mandi having found a Mommy in Amelia Grayson.

"This is amazing, Mandi. And your Little! You found her!"

"Kind of," said Mandi. "I mean, she's definitely around, but I don't think she's all the way back just yet." But she was skipping, and she did feel happy, and Beau was still in her hand, but not clutched quite as tightly as when she'd arrived that morning.

Sadie opened the door to Master Derek's office without knocking, to Mandi's wide-eyed astonishment, and the admonishment that he gave his angel made Mandi giggle instead of cower.

"Oh yes," he said, turning to look at her. "I see our Little Lady is a little more giggly than she was this morning. I take it that you're settling in with Miss Grayson okay?"

Mandi almost bounced on the spot, and some happy wiggles escaped. "Yes, Mommy Amelia is amazing."

"Mommy Ame—well," he said, recovering rather quickly, "I see things have changed quite a bit since this morning. I thought you weren't looking for a Mommy or a Daddy, Mandi?"

"I wasn't," she said, moving to sit in one of the large leather chairs. "May I sit?"

"You may," Master Derek said. Sadie went to sit down on the other, but he raised a hand. "Not you, angel. You may turn and face the bookshelf over there and consider why we knock on doors instead of bursting through them."

Sadie pulled a face at him, and then hurriedly ran to the bookshelf when he went to get up out of his chair.

"And no turning round, or I'll spank you and then make you stand in the corner all over again."

He winked at Mandi, and she hid a giggle. It was like Mommy Amelia had said, Sadie didn't mind her punishments, even if she gave exaggerated sighs or rolled her eyes about it.

"So, why don't you explain what changed your mind."

"To be honest," she said, "it was my Little. I got a bit nervous around some of the other Bigs, and my Little came out, and she clung to Miss Grayson and called her Mommy."

Master Derek looked thoughtful. "And what did Miss Grayson say about that?"

Blushing, Mandi smiled. "She said she liked it, but we also sat down and had a grown-up talk about it too, so my Little wasn't making all my decisions for me. And then I even took some extra time to work out what it is that I want from our dynamic."

"And what is that?"

"I don't want to be Little all of the time. Even if I was in a place like this where I technically could be if I wanted, she's still really hurt and scared, and doesn't want to come out around lots of people. And I also like being Big, particularly when I'm at work. And also when… well, um…" she ducked her head to hide the color she felt flooding into her cheeks but not before seeing Master Derek smile.

"Ah yes, those times. You're happy about these changes you've decided to make?"

"Absolutely. I don't think I've ever been surer of anything!" She lifted her head and nodded as to make sure he was clear about how sure she was.

He looked at her then, the kindly expression on his face very gentle. "I do want to say though, you're only booked in to stay for a week. It might be quite difficult for you—and for your Little—to find a Mommy and then have to say goodbye to her."

Mandi must have blanched, because he poured her a glass of water, and spoke quietly while she drank it. "I'm not saying don't explore this connection with Miss Grayson—in fact, I think it will be very good for the both of you—I'm just saying be careful of your heart, and of your Little."

"I will. Thank you though; you've been very kind. Both of you," she added, turning to include Sadie in that statement. "I was wondering actually, if the two of you are not too busy tomorrow night, would you like to have dinner in my suite? I make a mean mac and cheese."

Sadie started bouncing up and down on the spot, though wisely remained silent and continued to steadfastly face the bookshelves.

"That would be lovely, thank you, Mandi."

She beamed.

"But you do know you don't have to earn our friendship. You have it, whether you invite us around for dinner or not. And we are more looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with you, than we are the mac and cheese."

There was a muffled squeak from the corner.

Master Derek grinned. "Although," he admitted, "the mac and cheese is most certainly an added bonus."