Chapter Eighteen

After the spanking, Ireneo and Taylor had breakfast together on the suite's balcony, overlooking the ocean as the cruise liner sailed farther south.

"Look at those birds!" Taylor said, pointing to a large flock that flapped their wings noisily as they trekked away. "I guess I never thought about them flying across the ocean. Don't they have to land somewhere and rest?"

"Some don't," Ireneo explained. "They just fly continuously. Some even sleep while flying."

"They do?"

He nodded and popped another chunk of pineapple into his mouth. After the bite, he added, "Some birds land on ships they come across. Others on islands. Anything above water will do while they catch a quick break. But others just keep on going. It's quite amazing."

"Huh," Taylor said, still watching the flock as they disappeared on the infinite horizon. "Are they traveling south to warmer temperatures?"

"Sure are," Ireneo confirmed. "Just like us." He gave her a wink that caused her to smile bashfully as she forked some more pancakes in her mouth.

After breakfast, Ireneo gave her a bath and put a fresh diaper on her. He then sat her back at the table on the balcony with a coloring book and crayons.

"You stay right here while I shower, little girl," Ireneo instructed. "Don't wander off."

With her bottom still sore from the spanking, there was no way Taylor would disobey that order!

"When I'm done," he continued, "we'll go find your friends and you all can play. If you can promise there will be no more dangerous stunts like yesterday."

"I promise, Daddy!" She gulped and covered her mouth. She'd accidentally called him that during the spanking, too. He hadn't mentioned it or acted as if he minded. He didn't now, either. He simply smiled down at her sweetly, his eyes revealing just how cute he found her.

"I won't be long," he said before leaving her alone to color.

She flipped through the book, found a pretty picture with unicorns, and then selected her colors. It was then that her stomach rumbled.

She tried to ignore it and focus on shading the picture just right, but her insides felt heavy and as if they were twisting. She wailed as she lamented her fate. She knew, even as she tried to sit still and fight against it, that it was a losing battle. She was shocked that she'd been able to hold out as long as she had been, especially considering how she'd had three of Dr. Kirk's medicated packets mixed in her sippy cups.

She groaned once again as she accepted her fate.

She shifted on the chair, getting on her knees, and resting her elbows on the table.

And filled her diaper like Daddy had told her to.

***

Ireneo stepped onto the balcony to see Little Taylor sitting in her chair, sobbing.

He ran to her. "What's wrong, sweet girl?"

It didn't take him long to realize the source of her despair, even without her answering.

"Daddy is so, so proud of you," he said in a soothing tone. He scooped her into his arms and held her tightly, gently swaying.

She continued to sob, but as his words set in, her cries tapered off.

"Are you my Daddy?" she said in a shaky voice.

"Yes, princess. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you," he said, kissing the top of her head. "Fate had delivered my little girl directly to me. At long last."

She sighed as she clung to him even tighter.

"Daddy!" she cried through tears, though thankfully, they were now brought about by overwhelming joy.

"There, there, little one. Daddy has you. And I will take care of all your needs. You just need to rely on me."

She kissed his neck happily, giggles escaping her lips as she did so. She didn't care about the dirty diaper or the humiliation that being cleaned and changed would bring.

She was with Daddy now. He'd take care of everything. He loved her.

And that's all that mattered.