Page 34 of Cherishing Little Charlee

“Thank you for always having my best interest in mind, Daddy. And for handling things to the point where I don’t have to worry. You doing all that has made my brain hurt less.”

“I think my starlet was overworking herself. What do you think?” He tapped his pointer finger off my chin.

“I think you’re right, Daddy. Overdoing, overworking, over all the things instead of listening to my body and what it needed. I guess the accident was a weird blessing. Not that I would want someone to get hurt. But it changed my perspective about a lot of things.”

Pierce leaned down and scooped me into his arms, setting me inside his truck on the passenger seat. He kissed my forehead, each of my cheeks, and planted a soft kiss on my lips.

“I know what you mean, starlet. I hate that you were injured especially at the theater, a place you love so much. However, I believed things were spiraling out of control in your life. Doesn’t it feel like you have a better handle on everything?”

“It really does, but isn’t that because you’re doing it?”

“No, babygirl. I’m only guiding you to do the things you need as well as holding you accountable when you let your needs slip. You’ve embraced this role beautifully, and I know it’s not because of your acting skills.”

“Yes, Daddy. Thank you for being proud of me. I finally feel like myself. Like the version that I have always wanted to be.”

“It makes me so happy to hear you say that, starlet.”

I threw my arms around Pierce, hugging him tightly. Though we hadn’t been in a dynamic very long, it seemed like we were both starting to get our needs met. For as much as he was helping me, I knew from what he explained that having a submissive of his own was important. Our wants and needs and desires were different but they overlapped in the best way possible. Too bad it took me forever to actually admit them. Having Pierce step into the role of my Daddy had been unexpected, but the best idea he could have presented me with. I didn’t want to jump the gun but I kept getting the feeling that we were meant to be forever.

CHAPTER 10

CHARLEE

Opening Night! I couldn’t believe it was here. Months of planning, rehearsal and hard work got us to the end.The show will go on!I repeated the line Haven had said to me about two weeks ago like a mantra. Whenever I got overwhelmed, I thought about how everything was always working out as it was supposed to. Things were running smoothly and I had checked off all the last minute things on my to-do list. My wrist healed quicker than expected but I kept my splint on, mostly to appease my Daddy. Speaking of, he was set to join us in about ten minutes. Haven had gotten two of the stage crew hands to rig the feather and confetti bucket. Everyone backstage, with the exception of Pierce of course, knew about the initiation. All of us pretended it was a normal part of the set up and avoided the main stage door so that we wouldn’t wreck the “surprise”.

“Charlee! The props have grown legs and exited stage right,” Billy, the acting stage manager said as he rushed across the auditorium.

“What? That’s impossible. We had a dress rehearsal this morning!” Groaning, I left my spot and began searching for saidprops. They must have been misplaced or moved. Billy and I searched high and low before bumping into Haven.

“Whatcha doing?” she asked playfully.

“The props are apparently playing hide and seek,” Billy muttered, still glancing around.

“No, they aren’t. I put them in the utility closet.” Haven jerked her thumb in the opposite direction.

“All of them?” Billy asked, amazed.

“Yeah, someone… well I don’t know who now, but someone said they needed the space they were in so I moved them. I’m so sorry for causing an issue,” Haven apologized sincerely.

“No, it’s not an issue. I just couldn’t find them. Thanks, Haven.” Billy waved and jogged away in the direction of the closet.

Haven linked her arm through mine. “Hey. So, is your Daddy on his way?”

“Yes, oh my goddess. He just texted me that he’s on his way in. Come on! You need a front row seat, or a spot near me. I have three different people in place to video the initiation!”

We giggled as we stood about a foot away from the main stage door. I knew Pierce wouldn’t actually be angry with me, but butterflies swarmed my tummy all the same.

With bated breath we waited until the door opened to yell, “Welcome to the theater!”

As if watching a slow-motion car crash–the contents of a bucket containing confetti and feathers of all colors of the rainbow fell… onto the top and brim of averyfamiliar cowboy hat.Oh no!

The entire backstage gasped at the same time. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“What on earth?” Master Derek shook his head making some of the feathers float off his hat and onto the stage floor.

Pierce had one hand over his mouth but he couldn’t stop the laughter as the picture made itself clear. “Confetti. Feathers,” he mumbled as if that explained everything while cracking up under his palm. “Oh, wow!”

I wanted to cry as much as I wanted to laugh. But then I saw Master Derek bent at the waist, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.Phew! He wasn’t mad, though it shouldn’t have been my first thought. Pierce crooked a finger at me as everyone quickly returned to their last-minute tasks. I didn’t love what this meant for my bottom. Crossing to the door, I worried about whether or not Master Derek might punish me for dumping art supplies on his head.

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