Page 7 of Amelia's Daddy

“And you work at the restaurant, too?”

“Yep, because that’s steady income I can count on. I can’t always be certain Ellie will have enough jobs to pay the rent.”

“Ah. That makes sense. This is stunning and so professional.”

I smile broadly. It pleases me that he likes my work. It makes me feel all warm and proud inside, even though it’s kind of confusing mixing Ellie with Amelia. Amelia only colors pictures. Ellie is the artist. I wonder if other Littles keep their adult side so separated from their Little side as if they two are different people.

“So, there’s a theme in here. A rainbow theme. Everything is so colorful.”

“I like bright colors.”

“I see that.” He strokes a finger over the puffy sleeve of my bright yellow dress. “This is very pretty, by the way. I feel underdressed. You look like you’re going to a party.”

I glance down, feeling self-conscious.

Noah lifts my chin. “I didn’t say that to make you feel overdressed, Little one. I love that you’re wearing such a pretty dress. It tells me a lot about your Little. I do have a question, though.”

I bite my lip, waiting.

“Did you change into this after I spoke to you, or were you already wearing it?”

“I was already wearing it,” I whisper, hoping that doesn’t make me sound too weird.

He beams. “Good.”

“I like to pretend I’m going to a party,” I tell him.

“Ah. That’s fun. Except when you’re at home pretending, you never actually get to go to the party and see other people, do you?”

I shake my head. “No, but it’s okay.” I point toward the small white table I have in one corner of the room where I have propped up three of my dolls as if they’re guests at the party with me.

As Noah wanders around my space, I look at it, wondering what he’s thinking. In addition to my table, I have two bookshelves and a toybox. All the furniture is white. The rugs, beanbag, pillows, and curtains are colorful.

He returns to the mural. “If you lived on the island, you would never run out of work,” he comments.

My breath hitches. I’ve never been to the island where Littleworld is located. I’ve always wished I could go, but I’ve never been in a relationship with a Daddy who could take me. Littles can’t just show up on the island. They have to have a caregiver.

I’m aware some Littles find someone to sponsor them so they can go visit or experience the deeply regressed lifestyle, but I’ve never been brave enough to try that out. What if the Daddy and I didn’t get along?

Noah turns toward me. “Have you ever thought about going there, Little one?”

I nod slowly.

He smiles and strokes my cheek. “Maybe you would consider visiting with me?”

I stop breathing. He’s only been here a few minutes. I can’t believe he’s suggested something like that. It would be a dream. I feel like I’m dreaming.

“Let’s start with chicken nuggets, and then maybe you can invite me to your party.” He lifts a brow.

“Yes, Sir.” My confidence is building. Noah has shown no indication he is unnerved by my lifestyle. I remind myself he really shouldn’t be bothered since he lives parttime on the island. “Why don’t you have a Little girl of your own?” I ask, skipping along beside him on the way to the kitchen.

“I haven’t found the right Little girl yet.” He surprises me when he grabs me by the hips and lifts me onto one of my kitchen chairs as if I couldn’t have done it by myself.

I giggle. It feels good to laugh. It feels good to let myself be free with him. He’s so handsome and so broad and tall that he makes me feel tiny even though I’m not nearly that small. I’m five-six, which is pretty average for a woman, but he’s like six-four, almost a foot taller than me.

As he reaches for the bag of fast food he brought, he glances at me. “Also, I’ve been traveling back and forth between the island and the mainland a lot. That’s a hard life for a Little girl. She would have to go with me every time.”

“Why couldn’t she stay on the island?”