smile, I don’t care, as long as I get to be by him.
I thought it would be fun to dance around and sing to the music but this is nothing like the dance party I have at home with Daddy. I thought he’d be coming with me, and when I spot him at the bar, he’s sitting between a man and a woman and they are all talking. He lets out the deep laugh I love, and I feel a lump form in my throat.
I can’t give him that. I made our outing last night boring as I pouted through half of the meal. When the elegant woman puts her hand on his arm, I feel a tear run down my cheek. He suddenly looks up, as if he senses me, and our eyes meet.
I run.
9
WILLIAM
I see Haley run , and I stand up to follow her. “Excuse me,” I call over my shoulder as I leave the bar and chase after my little.
I make it down to the beach before I can catch her, and I scoop her up in my arms. She’s throwing a fit and kicking out against me. I take her over to one of the cabanas and lay her down, pinning her arms by her side and trying to control her outburst.
“Haley, stop! Calm down, little one. What happened? Tell me what’s wrong.”
She won’t look at me as she cries. She’s breathing hard, and I look her over to make sure she hasn’t been physically hurt.
“Haley, honey, tell me what happened. Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“No! I’m just a big dummy, that’s all. I’m just some immature kid who doesn’t know shit.”
“Language, young lady.” I hate to be stern with her when she’s so upset, but she doesn't normally talk that way. “What happened in the club? Talk to me.”
“You were right. I was dressed so stupid. I looked like a joke. All I wanted to do was get back to you, but then you were at the bar with those old people, and I didn’t fit in there either. I don’t fit in anywhere. What’s wrong with me?”
She starts to sob, and I sit her up, curling her up in my lap and letting her cry. I rub her back and make shushing noises, trying to give her comfort when she’s clearly hurting so much. “Let it out, little one. Let it all out.”
It takes a few minutes before her big sobs turn into little sniffles. I lean down and kiss the top of her head, folding her in closer to me. “You fit perfectly right here, little one.”
I feel her nod her head, but she still doesn’t speak. This is the hardest part of our DD/lg relationship; knowing when to allow her to learn things for herself and knowing when to step in.
“Haley, my sweet love, you don’t have to fit in anywhere but with me. It’s okay if you try new things. This is a part of life, trying new things and discovering what works. I want us to be able to do everything together, but the reality is that sometimes you have to see for yourself. The things I love the most about you are how young and spirited you are. I love your brattiness and the fact that you own your feelings. If you want to pout, you pout. And if you want to stamp your foot, you definitely stamp your foot.”
I feel her laugh a little and I keep going.
“We both work better when I’m in control and I make the decisions for us, but every now and then, you have to be a big girl and do something outside your comfort zone. What kind of Daddy would I be to you if I didn’t push your boundaries and help you be the best little Haley you can be?”
She wipes her face on my suit, and I smile down at her.
“The best part about you is that you are so innocent and sweet, and you always give me everything in your heart. You don’t hide your emotions away because you’re scared, you embrace your inner little and that only makes me love you more. I adore that you dress like this.” I pull at one of her pigtails to get her to look up at me. Her watery eyes connect with mine.
“I don’t care what anyone says or thinks when they see you or they see us together. You look beautiful and perfect to me. I want you exactly how you want to be, and if that’s in pigtails and lollipops, then that’s