"I sorryyyyyy mama! I never do it again! Owieeee!!!" Amanda cries as the wooden spoon is brought down hard on her near cherry red bottom for the second run. Between the warm up with Liv and the spoon from Alex, and a soon to come mouthsoaping Amanda is nearing her limit. Finally she goes limp over Alex's lap, sobbing hard, her chest heaving as she shakes. "No mores! Please I be good. No mores!" That's all it takes and Alex throws the spoon far, fast as if it was burning her as she then cuddles Amanda up in her arms. "Shhhh, there there, all finished my darling. All finished, you were so brave." Amanda clings to Alex for what feels like hours, until Olivia says it's time to lay down in bed and even then she doesn't want to be alone.
The next day Amanda's bottom is extremely sore, not only had Liv used the spoon, but Alex also had done her part, and her spankings are worse than Liv's. Olivia cradles her girl the best she can while Alex rubs arnica on her sore bottom. Having two mommies isn't so bad Amanda thought as the burn slowly diminished. Sometimes it's hard, but it also means twice the support and love, and twice the cuddles. Amanda knows that when Mama has to punish her that it's as hard for her as it is for Mandy, but it doesn't make it easier, especially when there is so much back and forth like there has been lately.
It's never an easy feat having to punish her girl, but if the relationship dynamic is to work it has to happen. Usually it involves mama having to pin Amanda over her knee in some sort of a comfort hold. Some days like today, Mandy is fully out and deep in little space, making it especially difficult, to punish and do the needed things. "But mama, I don't want to!!" Mandy yells after mama had asked her to stop playing and come sit over her lap for the post punishment talk, raising her voice at mama is wrong and she knows it, but even so somehow yelling gives an element of control to Little Mandy.
Liv, who had been sitting in the rocker with a book, looks up and cocks an eyebrow, as if to say "what did you just say little girl?" Mandy still afraid mama would use the same tactics he father did, repeats her sentence in softer verbiage. "That's better, I know you're nervous sweet one but that's no excuse to yell at mama or I." Alex reminds gently, slowly beginning the process of meandering over to the supplies. Mandy whimpers as she tries to explain her fear to Mama, failing she slumps down with her knees to her chest in the furthest corner of the room. Liv follows after a few, gently tapping her little love on the shoulder and swallowing her in a cuddle before asking "Sweetums would it help to cuddle first?" Mandy shakes her head, fighting Liv's comforting grip as she can and closing her eyes tight. "Mama, no!" Mandy tried to reason, still fighting to free herself from Liv's tight but comforting grip on a fear response. She scrambled away from Liv into the furthest corner of the room, promising to be extra extra good and eat all of her vegetables but it did no good. "Sweetheart... easy there. No more spanking right now. No more. I promise. We're just gonna talk, and after we finish that, me or mama will give your shot and I can hold you for as long as you want. You wanna sit with Liv or with me right now sweetie?" Alex enters the room expecting to discuss "big girl Amanda" things but upon noticing the switch, she changes tactics. Alex murmurs gentle words and comfort softly, her gentle words settle in Amanda's spirit cutting off the fear.
Little Mandy whimpers a thank you thru her pacifier she tightly clings to Alex, wrapping herself around her momma's torso nearly immobilizing her. Alex slowly moves to start the process, asking the right questions to provoke response but not too much as to trigger Amanda's raging PTSD. Mandy shivers when Alex reminds her of how different their way of handling this has been compared to her growing up, then taking a step back Liv slowly explains what the three of them can to do better carry the dynamic out. Eventually after some prodding and persuasion Amanda admits how the last few days have gone was helpful, despite it being hard to get used to at first."Okay honey, see? I told you talking helps." Amanda cowers to Alex's shoulder, hiding her face in her hands as she blushes. "Look at mama for a second sweetheart, take a big deep breath" Alex soothes, coaxing as she tries to pull Amanda from the pit of fear and guilt just as she looks toward Olivia.
