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Chapter Two

Vivienne

What was it going to take to get through to Darcy?

Deep breath, Vivienne. You’ve broken through tougher exteriors.

Yeah, but as part of my job. My heart was never involved.

Until now.

I’d been around littles, middles, and pets for years and understood the lifestyle inside and out, but Darcy had been my first little.

Flogging a sub and bringing them deep into subspace and orgasm I could do in my sleep.

Breaking through to a troubled girl who wanted nothing more than to be loved was the equivalent of full-time aftercare.

But Darcy was worth it, and I’d prove that to her come hell or high water.

I sat at the foot of the bed and patted my lap. “Lay across mommy’s lap.” Tears welled in her eyes, and I had to look away. Once she was in place I ran my hand along her spine and over that beautiful derriere I was about to redden. “Princess, why is mommy spanking you?”

“Be-because I scared mommy,” she sniffled, and I landed the first slap.

“And?”

“Be-because I didn’t use my words and tell mommy what was wrong.”

Thwack! “And?”

“Be-because I lied to mommy, twice.”

Thwack! Thwack!

Darcy’s tears dampened the material of the floor length skirt I wore. “That right there is the biggest reason why you’re being punished. Why did you lie to mommy?”

Full body shivers consumed her tiny body as I rubbed circles over the perfect handprints on her cheeks. “Why?”

Thwack!

“Be-because I’m in love with my mommy and I’m afraid of losing her by being needy.”

I swear to fuck my heart stopped. I knew Darcy had insecurities though I did my best to combat them. But this last week together on our lovely holiday I thought I’d broken through that barrier, but her words now absolutely broke me. The depth of her anxieties ran far deeper than I’d imagined.

“Sweet girl,” I turned her over to face me and she curled into my chest and twirled my hair. “I love you too much to let you go but mommy can’t help you if she doesn’t know what’s wrong.”

“You-you love me?” Darcy sniffled and turned those amazing aqua eyes on mine.

I tucked one of the golden locks that had freed itself from her ponytail behind her ear and pressed my lips to hers in the gentlest of kisses.

I thought I’d made myself clear when I said I love you at the airport but evidently it hadn’t sunk in.

“With all my heart, Darcy. You’re mommy’s princess but I can’t have you lying to me.

That’s unacceptable.” Her sobbing slowed as I held her, tenderly caressing her naked flesh.

My Princesses’ beauty ran deep which was why her ugly attitude today really threw me off.

We’d only touched on the subject of her home life, but I hoped Jack had more insight into it that he’d share with me while we visited them this week.

“Mommy, I was so scared this was over. That this month-long dream had been just that and I was a temporary fling for you.”

Well, no one ever said honesty didn’t hurt.

“I’m sorry for whatever I said or did to make you feel that way, but I promise you it’s quite the opposite.

You’re not a fling or a plaything, Darcy, you’re not a toy.

You’re a living, breathing, human being with thoughts and feelings.

Sounds like we both need to fine tune our communication skills.

Can you forgive Mommy for making you feel that way? ”

Yup, I was a sap. Long gone was the stern dominatrix who wielded a whip in a manner Indiana Jones would be jealous of. She’d been replaced by a woman in love. Heaven, help us all.

“It wasn’t you mommy, it was me. I was naughty and I’m sorry.” Poor sweet girl was programmed to automatically accept responsibility even when it wasn’t all hers to take on.

“Agree to disagree but I promise to do better by my princess. Now, how about tubby time before bed?”

“Can my rubber duckies play too, Mommy?”

Who knew all it took to melt a stone-cold heart was a sweet little…

Why did I just envision Jack doing a goofy celebration dance?

There will be no dealing with him now.

“Well look at you. Aren’t you a tall dish of woman?”

I tried to hold it in, I swear, but this woman’s comedic words threw me off guard. Laughter burst forth. Vale shook his head, and my Princess got a mad case of the giggles. Jack was nearly rolling on the ground, doubled over cackling.

“You must be Vale’s mother, I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” In lieu of the handshake I was going for the surprisingly strong, yet dainty woman pulled me into a fierce hug.

“Sarah,” she grabbed my hand as we parted and held on tight. “I may not have birthed that girl, but she’s as much mine as Vale is.”

“Understood.” Little did Sarah know I held her in high regard given all she’d done for my girl.

“Momma, what show have you binged now and where did that horrific southern accent come from?” Vale shook his head. “We’ve never even been to the south.”

“Don’t matter none, boy. Mind your p’s and q’s.” Their exchange was just as entertaining as her opening greeting had been. I must get her story from Vale and Darcy later but as far as first meets went, this one ranked right up there as one I’d forever remember.

Jack had invited Darcy and I out to their place on Whidbey Island for a family barbeque and sleepover which really meant a lot, especially with the word family included in the invite.

After yesterday’s incident with Darcy, being with Vale was what the doctor ordered, and it gave me the opportunity to probe Jack for info.

“I can promise you I’ll take excellent care of Darcy.” Sarah nodded but still attempted, and somehow failed miserably, at giving me a glaring side-eye. This woman was quite the comedian.

Jacks’ parents walked across the yard from their place next door.

It had been so long since I’d seen them.

This outing had quickly become a gathering of old friends.

I was jealous and so very happy for Jack and Vale at the same time, surrounded by those they loved and who accepted them for the wonderful men they truly were.

We should all be so lucky. My goddess, how long had I kept to myself, buried in building the business ,all while ignoring those who’d always treated me with kindness and love?

I swore right then and there that would come to an end.

This was my family. Not by blood, but by acceptance.

“Vivienne, just as beautiful as I remember you.” Linda, Jack’s mom, hugged me.

“You are too kind, Linda.”

Jackson senior drew me into a fatherly embrace. “Wonderful to see you again, Vivienne. I see you met the resident jokester.” He gestured toward Sarah with a big smile. Clearly they all got along famously. “She’s a, what did you call it Sarah?”

“A hoot.”

“Daddy, can we please take the TV out of her cottage?” Vale begged Jack, who only smiled and kissed his worried boy’s forehead.

“Sweetheart, until she does something unsafe we have nothing to worry about. She’s just having fun, let her be.” Vale huffed, but didn’t argue with his Daddy.

Whidbey was one of my favorite places to get lost in.

But living this far from Blush would be a challenge.

Before my princess came along, I was a workaholic.

Now, putting in all those hours had lost their appeal.

A complete revamping of my life was in order, I had a little to care for now, after all.

The staff I had in place went through extensive training and the club ran just fine this last week without me there.

Learning to trust in them and let go would be challenging, but I’d work past that.

Nothing was worth losing Darcy over and short term relationships has fizzed out for me over less.

She and Vale were running around, blowing bubbles at each other and giggling. I joined the others on the gorgeous deck that spanned the back of Jack’s house. Jack had a jungle gym built for his monkey that rivaled the one at Pride Camp. It was placed near dead center in their back yard.

“Wine, V?” Jack was the only one who got away with calling me that.

“Love some. Let me help you.” We didn’t so much as close the door behind us before his grilling began.

“So, a month now? How’s it going? How was Pride Camp?” I shook my head at him. “What? I’m allowed to check on my bestie as Vale calls you.” That evil smirk of his said he knew more than he’d allude to.

“Pride Camp was fantastic. I scheduled a week next year for another littles camp but we’re including pets too this time. I expect you and Vale to be there.”

“Vale and I are so in. Can we share a cabin? Vale and Darcy will drive us crazy otherwise.”

“Possibly, I’ll reach out to Kyler later about that. We um, well, Darcy had a bit of a meltdown on the way home.”

“Meltdown as in?”

How much do I share without crossing a line? Or had we already sailed past that point?

I leaned back against the counter and took a swig of wine.

Not a proper sip but a full-on mouthful.

“Honestly, it’s as much my fault as it was Darcy’s.

Neither of us used our words but instead of talking she acted out at Seatac.

A guy on the plane flirted with me and if looks could kill she’d have burned a hole straight through his skull.

” Jack laughed. “As we were walking through the terminal she lost it. Anxiety attack with tears, sobbing about not wanting this to be over.”

“Oh no. Hadn’t you already talked about wanting more?”

“No. We had a fantastic week at camp and my dumbass just assumed all was well and had fallen into place famously. I don’t know much about her past but what little I do know has me fuming.

” Darcy obviously had deep-rooted issues coupled with separation anxiety and working through that was non-negotiable.

My girls’ mental and physical well-being was number one and I’d pay for whatever help she required.