Page 8 of Raelynn's Little Repeat Day
“How would that work? Don’t you live somewhere else?”
“I live in the staff housing on the property, but I was thinking I could move into your room while you’re here.”
“Um.” Rae-Rae hesitated, and for a minute, Les’ heart sank. He really wanted her to say yes.
“I guess that could work. I do want as much time in Little space as I can get while I’m here.”
Les didn’t pump his fist in victory. But it was close.
“Okay. Now, I’m sure your limits have changed in twenty years so we should go over those.”
For the next thirty minutes, the two of them went over rules, limits, expectations, and safewords. When they’d finished, there was only one burning question left in Les’ mind.
“What about physical intimacy? Are you open to that? Do you want only certain aspects? Or would you like me to list it under hard limits?”
Raelynn’s cheeks grew pink, and she twisted her hands. “I don’t know,” she said, her words sounding more like a question than an answer.
“Maybe I can just note down that we’ll see how it develops. If it happens, it can happen organically, and if it doesn’t, that’s fine too.”
God, he hoped it happened, but he’d respect her wishes in whatever she decided.
“I think letting it develop or not on its own is a good idea. I don’t want to completely discount the possibility, but I’m not keen on planning it out either.”
Thank fuck.
“Okay, I think that’s everything,” Les declared after typing in the last bit and closing the app on his phone. “Would you like to get some dinner? Then maybe we can find something to do before my shift. I can move what I need for the rest of the week to your room in the morning, after my shift.”
“That sounds great... Daddy.”
Holy Christ on a cracker! Hearing her call him that name sent shivers of lust through him. It was a good thing they weren’t alone, or things would bedevelopingright then and there.
Before his thoughts could go too far downthatrabbit hole, he stood and offered her his hand.
“Let’s go eat something, babygirl.”
Raelynn
Dinner had been a simple affair.Nothing too complicated. They’d gone to the Italian restaurant and had chatted more about things that had happened to each of them while they’d been separated. The only serious moment in their conversation was when Raelynn couldn’t take it anymore and had blurted out, “I’m sorry I left like that.”
Les’ fork had stopped halfway to his mouth as he watched her with caution. Finally, he lowered the utensil and said, “I’m sorry I did something that made you feel you needed to.”
“What?” she asked, genuinely shocked. “Les, you didn’t do anything. It was all me. I was freaked out about my feelings for you and my age. Thinking I was going to end up like my mother. I had all these people’s words ringing in my ears about how our relationship wasn’t normal, or how you were controlling, or how I’d regret making such a commitment so young. I found that ring in your drawer and I panicked. I knew if I stayed and talked to you, I’d never leave andthatfreaked me out, too. I was young and stupid and scared of how in love I was.”
“I don’t know what to say. Part of me feels like accepting your words, but part of me thinks if I’d been just alittle bitbetter of a Daddy, I would have seen how upset you were, and we couldhave talked about it. I guess we’ll never really know now, but we have this time together. I forgave you for leaving a long time ago, so there’s no need to apologize.”
Raelynn felt a bit lighter, knowing he’d already forgiven her. Maybe now she could forgive herself. She searched inside and realized that might take some time. The guilt she carried was heavy and it ran deep.
Raelynn reached for Les’ hands and took hold of both. “You did nothing wrong. You were the best Daddy in the whole wide world, and I’ve regretted leaving since before I even did it. I’m glad we have now, and I know you’ll still be the best Daddy in the whole wide world.” She gave him a smile she hoped showed her joy at what the future might bring.
“You still fascinatedwith mystical stones and such?” Daddy asked as they headed out of the building and into the early evening light.
A crisp breeze blew, and the rays of the sun lost strength with each passing moment. The mountains seemed to shimmer where the light touched, and Raelynn had the fanciful thought that they looked like pointy cupcakes with white glitter frosting. She almost giggled at the thought, but Daddy nudged her, and she remembered he’d asked a question.
“Yeah, I love them. They really do help. I know you never believed it, but they do. Plus, they’re pretty and they sparkle.” She smiled big at him, and he laughed. It was a wonderful sound. Rich and deep and unbridled. Like he hadn’t a single care in the world.
“There’s a sapphire mine here, you know,” he told her. “Maybe we can visit it tomorrow, and you might find a new, pretty stone to add to your collection.”
“I saw that! I really do want to go.” Her excited words were punctuated with a happy little jump and clap of her hands. Before he could reply, she continued, “and I want to go horseback riding, and do some crafts and maybe some hiking, but I don’t own any hiking boots. I couldn’t find them in purple.”
