She probably should have heeded the stern note in his voice, but she was too busy playing.
“Little girl, put away your toys now. Daddy is going to put you down for a nap.”
“I don’t need no nap, Daddy. Naps are for babies, I is a big girl.”
“You’re a little girl who only got out of the hospital a few days ago. Daddy isn’t even certain you should be out of bed at all. I’m only going to say this once more. Time to put your toys away and have a nap.”
She let out a big sigh. Then looked up at his stern face. She gave him her biggest eyes, pleading with him. He just folded his arms over his chest.
“Fine,” she sulked as she started placing the tea set back in the suitcase.
“Little girl, you might want to correct your tone of voice before I do something about it.”
She’d never heard him sound that strict. Then again, she’d never spoken that way to him before.
“Sorry, Daddy,” she told him.
“That’s better. Come on, I’ll help you. You don’t need to wrap them back up in the tissue, I’m sure you’ll want to play with them again. Let’s just put them in with the blanket. That’s it.” He stood and held out his hand, helping her up. She grabbed hold of Bunnykins and Kiki and followed him into the bathroom.
“Go potty while I shut the curtains in the bedroom.”
“I don’ts gotta go potty, though.”
“Hm, how much water did you drink?” He turned and walked out and she could have kicked herself. Why did she go and say that? She knew she hadn’t drunk as much water as he wanted her to. When he returned, that stern look was back and he was holding up a nearly full bottle of water.
Whoops.
“I can see I’m going to have to try something different, aren’t I? Maybe Daddy needs to get you a special bottle and feed it to you himself.”
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She wasn’t entirely sure whether she felt more horror or interest over the idea.
“I’ve ordered a few things online for you. The post office just called to tell me I had a package waiting that they couldn’t deliver. So we’ll see what you think about them.”
What had he ordered? Oh hell, she had a feeling she was in trouble. She chewed her lip. “I’m not a baby. I don’t need a bottle.”
“Then you better prove how much of a big girl you can be and start drinking your water. I even put some lime in this one.”
“Sorry, Daddy. I just got busy playing. It was Kiki and Bunnykins’ fault. They are very demanding. Maybe you should spank them.” She gave him a serious look.
He returned her look with one of his own. He tapped his chin. “Hm, you make a good point. Perhaps you are right, they also need a good spanking for not reminding you to drink and for taking up your time.” He reached for Bunnykins and she snatched the toy rabbit back.
“No, Daddy, don’t spank Bunnykins! That’s mean!” To her shock, her eyes welled with tears. She clutched both toys to her chest protectively.
“Sweet pea, it was a joke.”
“It wasn’t a very funny joke.”
“Baby, you were the one who suggested it in the first place,” he reminded her calmly.
“I didn’t think you would do it though,” she wailed. A few tears slipped down her face.
“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. What can I do to make it better?” The look of desperation on his face would have been funny, if she wasn’t so upset.
“I don’t know.” Her lower lip wobbled.
“Sweet pea, I don’t want you so upset. I promise, I would never spank Bunnykins and Kiki.”