Page 18 of Milo
“No spanking, please.” He pleads with his eyes as I help him from his chair.
“I’m not going to spank you. That’s not part of my arsenal.” I guide him back to the couch and pull him into my lap. “Are you comfortable?”
He nods and I hold him closer. “Good. I want you to tell me three things you like about yourself. Take all the time you need.”
“What I like about myself?”
“Yep. You gotta be nice to yourself. No more of this bad-mouthing Milo. He’s my Little sweetheart now.”
He sniffles and burrows his head into my chest. “I don’t know.”
“I’m sure you do. It’ll make you feel better, too. I promise you’re not defective.” I’ll use all my Daddy tricks to make sure he knows.
“I like my art. I know I’m talented even if I can’t get into the art galas or craft fairs or anything like that. I have publishing houses hire me for fantasy book covers and thousands of people around the world buy those books withmycover art. Not to mention the people thatwearmy art. I’m fucking good.” He looks up at me. “Like, really good.”
“You are very talented. Two more.”
“Do I have to? I feel better.” He bats his lashes.
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m not that much of a pushover.”
He gives me the sweetest giggle. “Good. Okay, what about I like that I’m organized? It means less clutter, and I’m not as anxious when my place is clean.”
“Perfect. And I like my place organized too. I can’t think when there’s a huge mess or anything.”
“One more is…” He hums as he thinks. “I don’t know.” He slumps back into me. “I like that I’m a safe driver, but I get made fun of becauseapparentlyI drive like a little old lady. I’m just cautious! I always go at least the speed limit, so it’s not like I’m slowing people down.”
“That’s a good one, but I think you need another one because you got a little negative there.” I kiss the top of his head. His hair is so soft and the blond curls tickle my nose.
“Okay, okay. I like…” He sits up and looks around the living room. “My blankie.Imade it and I think it’s the softest, nicest blankie ever. It took me a long time to decide on the fabric and it’s just one of those fleece tie blankets, but I had fun making it and think I did a good job.” He slides out of my lap to grab the blanket draped across the back of the recliner. He opens it and it does indeed look lovely. “I have like three I made, but I like this one the mostest.”
“I like the colors you chose.”
“Pastel rainbows are the bestest. Buttttt…” He flips it over to reveal bright primary color dinosaurs. “So are dinosaurs! Rwar!” He wraps himself in the blanket and sways from side to side. “I named all the dinosaurs too. And I have a set of dinosaurs to match them. I love them!”
“Do you have a favorite?”
“I likeallof the sauropods. They’re the long-necked ones!” He runs to his bedroom and when he comes back, he has an armful of dinosaurs that he tosses on the floor.
I don’t know if he knows how easily he slips into Little space.
“This one is Rexy, because he’s a t-rex. Oh! I have a tiny lamb in here from Easter one year. Her name is LuLu. LuLu the lamb! She’s Penelope, the triceratops’s bestie. But you know my favorites are these ones.” He lines up five long-necked dinosaurs. “Bob. Lucky, because he survived the great bed tumble of 2022. Ginger, Gerold, and Lando.”
I hate to say it, but I think Milo already has my heart.
Chapter 8
Milo
Dinosaurs are alwaysfun and Daddy Clay has the prettiest smile on his face as he watches me play. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but he made me so calm.
“Do you wanna play with Lando?” I offer my dinosaur to Daddy Clay.
“I’d love to.” He slides off the couch and takes the toy from my hand. “You’ll have to show me how to do this. I’m a little rusty.”
“Lando likes to munch on plants. Oh!” I scramble to my feet and run to my room to drag out my toy box. “I forgot the plants!” I dig them out and stand them on the floor. “Okay, now he can eat.” I grab Gerold and help him nom nom the leaves from the plants while Daddy Clay follows my lead.
“Yum yum. These are good.” He makes Lando talk with a silly voice and I giggle.
