Page 248 of Daddy's Naughty List

After a hearty breakfast with some of the other Littles in the dining hall, Louisa made her way to the nursery.

Although she’d had a meeting with Zoey there the other day to talk through the illustrations for the book, she hadn’t actually spent much time playing. She was keen to give it a try.

Butterflies danced in her tummy as the Nursery door came into view. She paused, fingertips grazing the smooth wood, and took a deep breath. What magical moments would unfold in this special place today?

Easing the door open, Louisa peeked inside. Soft pastel hues and twinkling fairy lights greeted her. The cozy space overflowed with plush stuffed animals, colorful toys, and whimsical decorations. It felt like stepping into a storybook world where imagination ruled and grown-up worries melted away.

Perched on a fluffy beanbag chair in the center of the room was Ben. He looked up from the picture book in his hands, blue eyes crinkling with a warm smile. "Hello, Lulu! Come on in, babygirl."

Louisa skipped over to him, a bright grin lighting up her face. She felt aware of a few pairs of eyes watching them, but seeing as she and Ben were working on the carnival together, people didn’t seem all that surprised to see the two of them together. Or, at least, they didn’t seem surprised until the hug happened.

Ben set the storybook aside and held his arms open wide. Lulu happily snuggled into his comforting embrace, breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne. All her nervous flutters disappeared, replaced by a deep sense of safety and acceptance. She looked around at the wide eyes watching her and giggled happily.

"Good morning, Daddy," she murmured, nuzzling her cheek against the soft fabric of his shirt. "I'm so excited to play with you today."

Ben pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "Me too, little one. I have all sorts of fun things planned." He pulled back slightly to meet her gaze, eyes sparkling with playfulness. Quietly, he asked: "But first, I wanted to check how your bottom’s feeling after yesterday?”

She couldn’t help but blush. “Careful, Daddy,” she said. “A lot of Littles seem to be staring at us right now.”

He grinned widely. “I don’t mind. I’m proud to be seen with you. We’re not doing anything wrong. Chuck was the one that tried to matchmake us, you know.”

“He was?” she asked, shocked.

“Apparently, it’s kind of his thing. I think he did a pretty good job, don’t you?”

Lulu smiled. “I feel like we matchmade ourselves, honestly, Daddy. The moment I bumped into you with all my drawings.” She winced at the memory. “Although you did seem kind of distant that day.”

Ben nodded. “I had pretty much sworn off intimacy before I met you, Lulu. Told myself I had to focus on work. No distractions. But there’s something about being here, among all this holiday cheer . . . well, let’s just say it’s warmed old Scrooge’s heart.”

She chuckled. “Glad to hear it. And by the way, my bottom is doing fine. A little bit hurty. But I like it. Reminds me of what we did yesterday.”

“Good girl,” he said. “Now I think you need a proper 'good morning' kiss from your Daddy Dom!"

Louisa let out a delighted squeal as Ben peppered her face with silly smooches, tickling her sides until giggles bubbled out of her. Her cheeks flushed pink with joy. When he finally relented, they were both breathless with laughter. It was so easy to feel close to him, like it was no effort at all.

"There's my happy girl," Ben said fondly, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "Now, are you ready for a day filled with giggles, surprises, and lots of Daddy-Little time?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Louisa bounced eagerly on the beanbag. "What are we going to do first? Can Flopsy join in too?" She held up her beloved stuffed rabbit, wide green eyes pleading.

"Of course Flopsy can play with us." Ben gave the bunny a gentle pat on the head. "Hmm, why don't you pick out your favorite coloring book and crayons? We'll start our morning with some Christmassy arts-and-crafts time."

"Ooh, goodie!" Louisa hopped up and scurried over to the art supplies. She plucked a Christmas coloring book from the shelf and a fresh box of crayons, presenting them to Ben. "All set, Daddy!"

Settling in at the child-sized table, Ben flipped open the coloring book as Louisa plopped down beside him. He watched her small hands carefully select the perfect shades of pink and purple. A wave of warmth spread through his chest, marveling at the trust and vulnerability she placed in his care.

In this magical bubble, the rest of the world fell away. Louisa happily scribbled away, her imagination dancing across the pages. Ben's hand rested protectively at the small of her back while he colored alongside her, stealing glances filled with deep affection. Their laughter rang out as he scribbled silly faces on the prince and princess.

Surrounded by toys, love, and acceptance, Louisa felt truly cherished. Ben's steady presence wrapped around her like a soothing lullaby. In his eyes, she saw herself reflected—not as broken or strange, but as a treasured Little, cherished exactly as she was.

Lulu lost track of time. The coloring, and her Daddy’s gentle, encouraging presence, was all there was. Eventually, when she’d completed countless pages of the book, Ben held up the beautifully illustrated copy ofThe Night Before Christmas. "How about we read a story together, Lulu? Something to get into the spirit of things?"

Her face lit up with delight. "Yes, please!" She giggled, bouncing on her toes.

Leading her to a cozy reading nook, Ben settled into the plush cushions and patted the space beside him. Louisa eagerly snuggled up, resting her head against his sturdy shoulder as he draped a soft blanket over their laps. The scent of his cologne mingled with the pages as he cracked open the book.

As Ben began to read, his voice took on a magical quality. The words of the classic tale filled the room, painting vivid images of Santa and his reindeer flying through the winter night. Louisa's eyes grew wide with wonder as she listened, her imagination soaring with each verse.

As Ben continued reading, Louisa found herself drifting into a daydream. In her mind's eye, she pictured Santa Claus soaring across the starlit sky, his sleigh filled with gifts for children around the world. She imagined herself riding alongside him, the wind tousling her hair as they journeyed through the night. Ben's soothing voice served as a comforting anchor, grounding her daydream in reality.

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