Daddy's Boy

Speaking of Hungry

The paparazzi were voracious once again. This time we were a celebrity couple to envy. The outpouring of support from our fans was thunderous on social media. I couldn't escape the flashes as soon as we left a building. Edmund became my personal bodyguard in truth. Many of the ladies in the office felt like 'popping in to wish us luck,' and in a way I suppose it was sweet.

It was tiring some days. Other days it could be energizing. Having the world see us as some amazing love story was not a bad thing. We still had our private lives and secrets. Even if they got out, I don't know that I would care very much anymore. What were they going to say? That it was weird for him to call me 'baby'? So many people did that in relationships already.

Thanks to the amusing connotation of the pet name 'daddy,' well I could probably get away unscathed with that as well. We would be fine. We would be great even. How many people would be understanding if I liked doing the things I never got to do as a kid? Hopefully lots. Who could blame me for my colouring books? Who would blame me for my teddy bear?

No one. Not really. There might be a few jealous souls out there who had lost that part of themselves which craved simple joys and pleasures. Most of our adoring fans hadn't, I knew that much. They believed in love and happily ever afters after all. I was the prince swept off his feet by an average joe. I was the misunderstood soul running away from an arranged marriage.

I might as well have been the prince that Edmund said I was. I tried to make the most of it. I liaised with the clients that came flocking because of my name. I went to the fundraisers and events that my boss sent me to in order to be the 'face of the company.' It was not easy work, and more than I had bargained for when I signed with them.

They gave me a promotion to make up for it. It was more money, but a whole lot more work too. I had to wear my 'outside face' all the time when we left the building. My little had to stay firmly planted at home. Edmund was very understanding about all the extra time and restrictions. He did something for me I never expected. He quit his job.

He became my full time Daddy. Without question he took on everything at home that he wasn't already doing. He cooked, cleaned, but also dropped me off and picked me up at work every day. My suits were always fresh and ready. My toiletries never ran low. I had hand delivered meals to my new office. He was perfect. Amazing. I didn't have to think outside the office. He was my saviour. My Daddy. Mine.

When we went to events, he was dashing and supportive. He charmed the old ladies. He spoke intelligently to the crotchety old men. He made me look good. He helped me stay on my toes, stay awake during the long nights and stay sane all the time. I couldn't have done it without him. I wouldn't have wanted to either. He was so much a part of my life that I didn't know what I had ever done without him.

If I loved him before, I adored him now. I would do anything for him. Sometimes I did. We cuddled. We played. If he wanted to ravish me in my bath still, I bent over and took it. It didn't matter how exhausted I was, I always made time for my Daddy. He knew it too. He knew that when I stepped in that door, he was in charge until I left again.

He managed everything. He managed me. I never imagined that I would turn out to be a full time job, but I was. I respected him so much for what he did. He was so strong. He was so capable. He listened to me complain and lifted me back up again. Kept me going. Even when all I wanted to do was roll over in bed and cry, he helped me get up and go out that door.

I knew, you see, that when I got home again he would be there to lift me up in his arms. He would stroke my hair and tell me everything was going to be alright. He would help me into my pajamas and not ask me to do another adult thing for the rest of the night. I was done for the day. I earned my time to be little. I earned my time to relax and unwind.

If I fell asleep during my cartoons a little sooner, so be it. Now that we were popular and Edmund was liked, I thought I had less to worry about. They saw him for the amazing guy I see him as every day. That was good, right? Uhh. Maybe. The only problem with that, was that they wanted to get to know him now too.

What was I going to do? My bosses were now the executive board themselves, and they wanted me to get him to do an interview.

On TV. Live. With me.

I was so screwed. I barely tolerated the pictures. They wanted me to actually go to an interview? That meant lights, an audience, asking questions... I shook inside just thinking about it. I was seriously considering those diapers I saw online cause I might sh*t myself. When I thought about being asked intimate questions about our relationship in public... sweat trickled down my back.

Edmund could tell something was up. He was a perceptive guy at the worst of times. I had to ask him for his opinion, but honestly I was putting it off as long as possible. What would he think? Would he leave me over all this stupid publicity? No. I had to think positively. At worst he would be disappointed with more visibility, maybe annoyed at the extra exposure.

He wouldn't be mad at me. It wasn't my fault, not really. I felt like it was sometimes. I would hug my teddy and wonder what it would have been like growing up like Edmund. In a normal house with reasonably normal parents and siblings. I wondered what it would be like if no one recognized my name, my family, or my face. I could walk down the street and no one would glance my way.

"What are you thinking about baby?" Daddy leaned over and stroked my hair. I blinked and looked up at him. His eyes were so kind. That was the very first thing I had noticed about him, all that while back. I smiled at the thought. It would be okay.

"My bosses sent me an email today and you have to look at it Daddy. It is on my phone." I waved my hand over in the general direction of the work phone I had. I bit my lip and abandoned my colouring book to watch him open the message. His eyes scanned over the words quickly and his brow raised a little bit.

"Do you want to do this with me? Or do you feel like you have to?" He tilted his head at me and I pursed my lips in thought.

"I dunno. Mostly 'have to' I guess. I'm kind of scared to do it. I think I could if you go with me though." I nodded to myself and ducked back to my page. He was quiet for a while and I let him just think to himself.

"Maybe we can meet with them and find out a little more about it before we commit to anything. Ask to set up a meeting tomorrow, okay Bren baby?" He sat back with his novel on the couch and I smiled at him. I crawled over and climbed up next to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.

"Okay Daddy. Can I watch a movie now?" I pouted and he rolled his eyes at me. A few clicks of a remote and I was curled between his legs to watch a purple alien movie. I really hoped that the little girl would find her mommy. Especially if she was as great as my Daddy.