Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Mindy’s face heated further as she shook her head.
“Do you think you could stop looking for a Daddy and accept a Mommy instead?”
Mindy nodded vigorously. “Do you mean it? Could I be your Baby girl?”
“I’ve wanted that for months, Mindy.”
Mindy gasped. “Months? But…”
Tricia nodded. “Yep. I had my eye on you for a long time at the club. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Your sweet cherub face, your big wide eyes, your innocence. I was hoping you would look up one day and realize you wanted the same thing from me.”
“I do, Mommy. I want the same thing. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it until now.”
Tricia stared into Mindy’s eyes, grinning. “I guess you needed an intervention.”
Mindy giggled. “I’m glad you made that happen.”
“Will you be mine?”
Mindy nodded again. “I want that.”
“I’ll make it happen then.”
“When?” Suddenly Mindy was eager. So eager she felt fidgety.
Tricia gave her one more quick kiss. “How about tomorrow?”
Mindy’s eyes widened. “Really?” She was thinking today would be better, but she wouldn’t push her good luck.
Tricia sat up and pulled Mindy to sitting before grabbing her T-shirt and tugging it back over Mindy’s head. “Let’s get this back on you before I ravish you on the nursery floor.”
“I wouldn’t mind,” Mindy murmured trying not to let her disappointment show.
Tricia kissed her nose. “Don’t tempt me, naughty girl. Tomorrow.” She grabbed Mindy’s face with both hands and held her gaze. “Tomorrow.”
Chapter Eight
Nurse Theo had to give Mindy some medicine to help her relax when he put her to bed a few hours later. She didn’t even mind him pushing the pills into her bottom for once. She wished the fingers inside her belonged to her Mommy, but after tonight she would get her wish.
As she snuggled under the covers in her crib, she couldn’t stop grinning. “Annie is going to be so glad to see you. She asks about you all the time.”
Mindy giggled even though she was starting to drift off. “I can’t wait either.”
“I’ll talk to your Mommy and arrange a playdate soon.”
My Mommy… Mindy continued to grin. The words sounded so welcome. How had she gone so long denying what she truly wanted? How had she allowed her mother to continue to hold power over her even after four years of separation. Thank goodness Tricia had helped her come to her senses.
It seemed like only moments passed between when Mindy closed her eyes and reopened them. For a second she forgot everything that had happened the day before, and then it all flooded back, and she sat upright in her crib.
Nurse Kay entered in less than a minute, chuckling. “Someone is eager this morning.”
“I get to go to my forever home today,” Mindy declared.
“You sure do, sweetie. I’m so excited for you.” Nurse Kay held up a shopping bag. “Your Mommy will be here soon, but she sent this for you.” Nurse Kay pulled out the prettiest peach-colored dress Mindy had ever seen. It was frilly and poofy with layers and layers of flouncy material and lace.
Mindy clapped her hands together as Theo entered the room. He was also grinning, and he lifted her out of her crib and settled her on the changing table.
After a quick diaper change, the two caregivers helped Mindy into the pretty dress. The front section that covered her chest was comprised of an intricate smocking that made her nipples pucker. There was even a matching diaper cover, and then Nurse Kay rounded out the outfit with frilly peach socks and white tennis shoes.
“Do you think Miss Tricia… I mean Mommy, will let me walk?”
“Not yet, sweetie,” Nurse Kay responded. “You let your Mommy decide when you’ll be permitted to progress to the next stage. You’ve been sitting and crawling for over two months. Your legs will be wobbly.”
Theo nodded. “Don’t you worry. Annie isn’t walking yet either. The two of you can play together without standing up yet. Don’t get in a rush, Little one. We caregivers like our Little girls to stay as young as possible for as long as possible.”
Mindy couldn’t stop grinning as Nurse Kay fixed her hair in the usual pigtails that stuck up all spiky. For once Mindy didn’t care. Tricia said she liked Mindy’s hair. She thought it was adorable. That was all that mattered.
The next hour was a whirlwind of excitement as Mindy took her morning bottle before Theo settled her in an upright stroller and wheeled her to Dr. Farwell’s office.
Dr. Farwell’s brow was furrowed as he sat down so the two of them were eye to eye. “Are you happy, Little one?”
“Yes, Sir,” she insisted, wondering where her Mommy was.
“I’m very careful about placing Littles with their forever caregivers. Even though all of us have suspected Tricia was the best fit for you for the past two months, you only acknowledged this fact yesterday. I want to be certain you aren’t feeling pressured or coerced. Being adopted and moving into a forever home is a huge step. There’s no going back.”