Page 8 of Disciplined by the Sexy Lumberjack

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kaylee

Pulling my stuffs out of the bag feels almost like my reunion with Kaylen after not seeing her for months on end. Of course, there’s a big difference. That separation doesn’t compare because of all the phone calls, emails, texts, and pics exchanged during the time apart. Stuffed animals don’t talk on the phone, so this reunion is almost better.

Yeah, okay, they’re stuffed animals. I know that. Don’t judge me for missing them.

I put Captain Manatee in his rightful place on the left pillow of my bed and smile at him. “Welcome home,” I say. I put Sir Archibald Mouse next to him and Lady Farnsworth, a beautiful purple iguana, goes next to Sir Archibald. Finally, Theodore T. MacBearsly goes on the left side. I feel giggly and excited as I carefully fold up the heavy trash bag. I carry it to the kitchen, and I put it under the sink with the other big, folded bag.

It's kind of crazy to realize I have two big plastic bags worth of stuffed animals! Each of those bags holds about twice as much as one of those big black yard bags. Since I could fit in one of those bags from head to toe, the number of plush friends I have is enormous. I stand up and giggle as I look around my apartment. There are stuffies everywhere! I feel like dancing around.

Well, why the hell not?

My job work is done for the day.

My schoolwork is done for the day.

My housework is done for the day.

Plus, I’m wearing perfectly comfortable clothes. I have a little pink tee shirt and pink stretch pants on. I’m barefoot and my hair is in two braided pigtails. I don’t think I could be more comfortable if I tried. I rush over to my laptop and choose my favorite playlist for dancing. A lot of people, I guess, would think of most of the music on this list as guilty pleasures. I don’t think there’s anything to be guilty about. One thing Daddy helps me see is that I don’t have to like what other people like. I sure as hell don’t have to feel guilty about music I enjoy!

I connect my laptop to the television so I can use the speakers and a few minutes later, I’m dancing all around the kitchen, dining room, and the living room. With every song, I change to a new stuffed animal dance partner, and I feel like the whole situation is the most fun possible. I dance around and end up collapsing on the living room floor, giggling with Oswald the Octopus on top of me. The giggles start when I realize just how many personalities I create with my animals.

I mean, I have a neurotic frog, a bubbly French poodle, a busybody moth, a grumpy lion… Well, Oswald is a clown, a natural comedian. I imagine him telling jokes to keep me laughing and that just makes my giggles worse. I’m laughing so loudly that I don’t notice Daniel until I see him standing at the edge of the living room floor.

I leap up right away. “Daddy!” I scream. I try to run to him but getting up so fast makes me a little lightheaded.

I giggle as I slow down and instantly, he’s there, holding me. I feel like I’m going to faint for a second but I lift up my head and say weakly, “Hi, Daddy.” He helps me back to the couch and sits next to me. It takes a good minute or two to convince her I just got up too quickly and the blood rushed out of my head. Eventually, he does though, and I hold him for a while before I squeal! “I got all caught up!”

He laughs and says, “When I saw your friends everywhere, I kind of guessed that princess.”

“And it’s three days ahead of schedule!” I say proudly.

“That’s my girl,” he replies, and it makes me feel pretty damned happy. He kisses me and says, “Okay, well you’ve still submitted school to me even though we’re passed that. What do you think will help you stay on track?”

I hadn’t thought about that but it’s really hard for me to prioritize school the way I should. “What if you check my classes every week with me?” I ask, “Is that a good plan?”

He nods. “Sure. And I’ll keep an eye on the syllabuses, so you don’t find yourself with a ten-page paper or something due in an hour.”

“Okay, Captain Daddy,” I say. “At your service.”

He chuckles and says, “Wait a minute. Is it syllabuses or syllabi?”

I kiss him and say, “You’re the best, Daddy. It’s either one. People who want to feel smarter than everyone else say syllabi.”

He chuckles at that and says, “Okay then. So do you think that plan works?”

I nod importantly. “And don’t you worry. I’ll always have the syllabi ready.” It takes him a second to realize the joke and when he does, I know I’m in trouble. I jump off the chair and take off as fast as I can. Of course, he catches me and it isn’t long before I’m shrieking, squealing, and laughing like crazy. I’m also flailing about and kicking and, when I can get enough breath, begging him to stop tickling me.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I realize I’m happy.

I’m really and truly happy right now, and it’s a wonderful thing to feel really and truly happy.

With my Daddy.