Page 3 of Joining Little Jessica

Excitement bubbled in Sebastian’s chest. Suddenly, he wasn’t feeling so weary anymore.

After unpacking, Sebastian couldn’t shake the image of the Little by the fireplace. Her delicate frame, the quiet determination in her expression—it stirred something protective in him. There was a part of him that wanted to know more, to understand why she seemed so out of place, yet at peace.

The lodge’s lively atmosphere had died down when Sebastian stepped back into the main hall. The fire crackled, casting warm shadows along the wooden beams. His eyes scanned the room, hoping to catch another glimpse of her, but she was nowhere in sight. Instead, he found Forrest and Rowan seated by the fireplace, deep in conversation with two women. Both Littles, judging by their attire and mannerisms. Rowan was already in his element, laughing and gesturing animatedly.

“Where’d you go?” Forrest asked as Sebastian approached, his expression more relaxed than earlier.

“Unpacking. What’s going on here?” Sebastian nodded toward the women, who giggled at something Rowan had said.

“Just making friends,” Rowan answered, flashing a mischievous grin. “You should join us. They were telling us about the New Year’s festivities here. Apparently, it’s a whole week-long thing—workshops, parties, plenty to keep us busy. Starting with a mixer tonight.”

Sebastian smiled faintly but felt his mind drifting again. Maybe he would meet the Little from earlier there. “Sounds good. We can relax and catch up at a mixer as much as anywhere else, right?”

Forrest stared at Sebastian, his brows furrowed, but he didn’t respond to his best friend, instead opting to continue in hisconversation with the Littles in front of him. Rowan just smiled before doing the same.

“I’m going to get myself something to drink,” Sebastian said to his friends, but before he could step away, one of the girls sitting by his friends jumped up with an eager smile.

“Oh, let me, Sir! What would you like?”

Sebastian looked at her, trying to see if he’d have the same reaction to her he’d had to the rainbow-sweater girl, but nothing happened.

“That’s fine, sweetheart. I’ve got it.” He clapped Rowan on the back and wandered off in search of some coffee. Maybe a decaf, Sebastian thought while rubbing at the scar on his chest.

CHAPTER 2

The soft hum of chatter filled the lodge’s event hall as guests mingled. Laughter and lighthearted conversations bounced off the wooden beams overhead. The festive Christmas decorations from earlier were now no more. Instead lights hung from the rafters, casting a warm glow, while a twinkling banner read “New Year’s Mixer” in the corner. It was colorfully crafted and very obviously hand-painted by some creative Littles if the amount of glitter on it was anything to go by. The energy in the room was light and carefree, with everyone settling into the celebratory spirit of the Ranch.

Rowan, Forrest, and Sebastian stood near the drink table, each with a glass in hand. The Ranch, while serene and calming earlier, had transformed into a lively space filled with playful energy. Rowan had already made friends with a couple of other guests and was well into a conversation with a bubbly redhead. Forrest, on the other hand, kept a more reserved stance, quietly observing the people around them. Sebastian’s attention, however, wandered.

The girl from earlier hadn’t been at dinner, and now at the mixer, Sebastian’s eyes scanned the room again, seeking her out.Something about her pulled at him in a way he couldn’t explain, and he found himself quietly hoping she’d be here tonight.

“She’s cute,” Rowan said, nodding towards a girl dressed in a pastel onesie, her hair tied up in two pink pigtails. She giggled as she ran across the room to join another Little, her Daddy trailing behind her with an indulgent smile. “I see why you booked this place, Seb. It’s like a playground for Littles.”

Forrest nodded, though his gaze was more thoughtful. “It’s... different from what I’m used to. But it’s good. Everyone seems comfortable. It’s nice.” His gaze shifted toward the corner of the large room where a couple of staff members were setting up for what appeared to be some kind of game or activity. Perhaps someone would do a demonstration or a scene for the evening’s entertainment?

“I didn’t book it just for the Littles, you know,” Sebastian said, though his tone was absent, distracted. He sipped his drink, his eyes continuing to roam the room. “It’s more than that.”

“Oh, I know,” Rowan replied with a playful grin, nudging him in the ribs. “But you’ve got to admit, it’s a delightful bonus.”

Before Sebastian could respond, a sudden burst of laughter caught his attention, and his gaze snapped to the far corner of the room. There she was.

The girl in the rainbow sweater, only now she was dressed in an outfit that made his chest tighten unexpectedly. She wore a soft pink sweater covered in pale blue and purple hearts. The sweater was cut to expose her midriff, her soft expanse of skin meeting up with the shortest, most tempting white skirt and she’d completed her outfit with knee-high white socks and adorable black Mary Jane’s. Her dark braids hung over her shoulders, as they had earlier, and a soft collection of curls framed her face in a way that made her look even younger, more vulnerable. She was laughing, the sound soft and sweet as sheplayed a game of tag with a couple of other Littles near the craft table.

There was something about the way she moved, light and carefree, that reminded Sebastian of what it felt like to be truly young again—to be unburdened. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, mesmerized by the sight.

“Seb?” Forrest’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You good? You’ve been a little out of it since we got here.”

Sebastian blinked, snapping his focus back to his friends. “Yeah, just... thinking.”

“About?” Rowan raised an eyebrow, his signature grin never far from his lips.

“Her.” Sebastian nodded subtly in the direction of the girl, not wanting to draw too much attention. “I saw her earlier. There’s something about her.”

Rowan and Forrest followed his gaze, their eyes landing on the girl as she twirled around in her skirt, her braids bouncing with the movement. The quick movement flicked up her skirt, showing a delightful surprise. The girl was wearing rainbow-colored bloomers under her skirt.

“Oh, I see what you mean,” Rowan said, leaning back against the table with a playful smirk. “She’s adorable. Definitely a Little through and through.”

Forrest, on the other hand, remained quiet, his brows furrowing as he watched her for a moment. He said nothing, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—concern, maybe? Or recognition? Sebastian couldn’t tell, but it was clear Forrest had noticed the same fragility that had caught Sebastian’s attention.

---