Page 22 of Saving Little Jenna
Stepping out of my way, Daddy bent over and gently rubbed my back. "Aw, it's alright darling. Go ahead and play with Michael. I'll be right here if you need me. I'll stay for a little while and then leave. I know it's hard, but be brave and trust Daddy."
I looked up at Daddy before nodding and turning to Michael, but my limbs refused to move.
Michael put the toy on the floor and patted the space next to him. "Come here, friend! I no bite."
Hearing the wordfriendwas enough to make me crawl to him swiftly. I sat my bottom down on the floor next to him and let the pacifier fall out of my mouth, placing Doggo between us.
"You're so pretty!" Michael giggled and pet Doggo's head.
"Thanks," I said, looking at him with big excited eyes. "First, I got an uncle, and now I get a new friend! Those are two things I've never had but always wanted. Did you really mean it when you just called me your friend?"
Our Daddies walked over to the couch nearby and took seats, looking at each other in amusement before watching us with bright smiles. They were probably thinking how cute we looked.
Michael put on a genuine smile. "Of course, silly. You know how we Littles are. We don't hide how we feel and we have so much in common, we become friends the moment we meet. I've been excited to meet you ever since uncle Clark told me about you. Your Daddy has been so nice to me for years, playing with me sometimes and giving me all the pressies. When he told me he was going to be a Daddy soon, I could hardly wait to meet you, friend."
"You're my friend too." I threw my arms around him and hugged him. "My first and only friend."
"Aw," uncle John said to Michael. "What a lovely start to a beautiful friendship. You're being such a good boy, Michael. I'm proud of you, darling."
Michael's expressions suddenly changed as he lowered his chin and looked up at his Daddy with big twinkling eyes, slowly fluttering his big eyelashes. "Good enough to have ice cream for dinner tonight, Daddy?"
"Aw, how could I say no to that sweet face?" Uncle John said, patting his head.
"Whoa!" I bounced and clapped my hands in excitement. "How do you do that? Teach me, Michael! Teach me!"
"Oh, this?" Michael said proudly, waving a hand nonchalantly. "It's nothing. You're new to this but I've been doing this for years. You should see some of my other tricks. I'll just teach them all together. The key is to get what you want by looking too cute to resist. Got into some major trouble and want to save your naughty bottom from getting busted? Easy! Just pull one of my signature moves and you're safe, patent pending. Now watch carefully and learn."
Michael turned his head away before dramatically turning it back to me, childlike innocence on his face as he pushed his lips out in a pout and put a finger on his lips. "Aren't I cute?"
I giggled as I bobbed my head up and down.
"Brat!" Uncle John said with a laugh as he leaned over and playfully pinched Michael's diapered bottom, making him squeal in surprise. "You'll turn this sweet little girl naughty within a week at this rate. You keep your naughty tricks to yourself, Michael."
"Sorry, Daddy," Michael said to his Daddy before putting a hand on my ear and whispering loudly. "Don't worry. I'll still teach you my ways, but when the grown-ups aren't around."
"We can hear you, you know," Uncle John said in a stern voice, crossing his arms. "Would you like to earn yourself some spankings today? How many days have you gone without one, darling?"
Michael shivered as he spoke in a low voice. "Five days and counting, Daddy. I miss them because I enjoy them too much."
When I opened my mouth to speak, a golden retriever puppy raced down the stairs and leaped towards Michael, jumping into his lap and wildly wagging its tail.
"I missed you too, Princess." Michael scratched her tiny head, which only made her wag her tail harder. "I hope you had a nice nap. Did you dream about running around with other dogs again?"
She was so adorable I couldn't help letting out an excited squeal. "Ah, she's so cute I'm gonna die! I've never seen a real dog before, but I love them so much. Can I touch her?"
When Michael nodded, Princess turned to me and as if she understood Michael, instantly jumped into my lap and sniffed my hand.
"Surely, you're joking," Michael said with a smile. "Everyone's seen a real dog before."
As I pet Princess' head, my smile faded. I had slipped up, but how could I tell him the reason without lying.
When I sadly sat there in silence, Uncle John cleared his throat and I saw him gesturing Michael to stop from the corner of my eye.
"Never mind." Michael tapped my cheek with a finger before whistling, which turned Princess' attention to my face. "Kiss attacks, Princess!"
Putting her forepaws onto my chest, Princess began licking my cheek. It made me throw my head back and laugh hysterically.
"It tickles, Michael!" I said between gasps. "Make her stop. I get enough tickles from Daddy."
