“But write down which ice cream you like later on a list along with other food, it’s nearly time for another grocery shop.”
“And sour gummy worms?”
“Not sure that Lochlan would approve.”
“Pfft, who wants to listen to him? You’re not going to let him tell you what to do, are you, Daddy Z?”
“Nice try,” he told her dryly.
Drat. She thought it was worth a try.
“Maybe we should just scrap the idea of rules.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, and I think you should just do whatever baby girl says you should do. There, easy, done. TV, Daddy?”
“No TV until we talk.”
“But we might miss the start of the marathon.”
“Then I suggest you listen to Daddy,” he warned.
She sighed. “For a person who doesn’t like talking, you sure seem to want to do it a lot.”
“Rules for my baby girl,” he stated. “You’ll let me bathe you. Once you feel more at ease with me. In a few days.”
It was going to be odd having him bathe her, but it also intrigued her, so she nodded.
“You will not swear when in Little space.”
Okay, that was going to be harder. She chewed her lip. “I’ll try, Daddy.”
“When you’re in Little headspace, you’ll only call me Daddy or Daddy Z.”
That was easier.
“You’ll tell me when you are scared or worried or need something.”
That would be harder.
“I’ll try, Daddy.”
“That rule applies to you all the time. Whenever something worries you, I want to know, understand?”
“I understand.”
“You’ll have a nap each day and your bedtime will be nine-thirty.”
Now that was just nonsense.
“Daddy, I can’t do that!”
“Why not?”
“Cause I’m a big girl and big girls don’t need naps or bedtimes.”
“How young is your Little?”