Nanny for Hire

Author’s Note: This story is one that is very close to my heart. As a widower, I relate very closely to Bryan in this story. The overwhelming feeling of darkness at the death of a spouse is something I am keenly familiar with. Fortunately, I too found an angel who saved me from that darkness. She still does. She is… my soul’s twin flame and I am blessed beyond measure to have such a remarkable woman and slave as my companion in this life.

~~November 2056~~

Kayleigh logged into her computer, rubbing her temples. This latest short term house had been a hassle and a half, but it was over with and the owner had returned home from their stint overseas to their kids. She tapped her lower lip with her pen. ‘Full-time nanny for a single daughter, and housekeeper needed, location, Fairbanks, Alaska,’ the job advertisement on her company’s website read. The pay was really good, with room and board provided. The man had a good rating based on the company’s vetting process, and everything appeared to be on the up and up. She pondered a bit longer, then studied the qualification requirements. All of them she had, and it was volunteer-only with a year’s contract. “Well, Alaska is someplace I wanted to visit…,” she sighed before clicking the submit button.

It was nearly a week later that she got a message, her application had been approved. Her tickets would be available at the airline’s terminal at Heathrow. She was allowed two checked bags and a carry on. She snorted at that; she didn’t even have enough stuff for one checked bag. Rising to her feet, she started packing. She would leave in two days, and the furnished London apartment she was living in would go to another with the agency. It was three days later that she landed in Fairbanks, Alaska. The travel had exhausted her and the delay was frustrating, but she had finally made it. She hoped that whoever she was meeting had made it too. Looking out the window as the plane landed, almost all she could see was white.

She walked out of the airpoint checkpoint into the main section of the terminal and saw a large man, dark hair and beard holding a sign that read ‘Walsh’. Down clutching at his leg was a beautiful little girl, brown hair pulled back and braided into a ponytail. She was looking around at all the people. As she got closer, Kayleigh could hear her. “Is that her, daddy?” to which he would respond, “No, Cherry.” This repeated several times and Kayleigh could not help but smile at the little girl’s enthusiasm.

Kayleigh stepped closer, she knew she was smaller than most, being just over five feet, but she felt positively diminutive next to the man. “Hello.”

“I knew it was her Daddy!” the little girl exclaimed, not realizing that both her father and Kayleigh had heard her ask about the last three females that had exited the checkpoint. The man smiled at her. Looking up at him, he had at least a foot, probably a little more on her.

“Welcome to Fairbanks. Have you been to Alaska before?” he asked in a rumbling but warm tone.

“No, sir,” she murmured, “It was on my list of places to visit however, and now here we are.”

“Wonderful. I hope you enjoy it here. Have you got a coat?”

“Yes, it’s with my checked luggage… with the delays and the close quarters there really wasn’t much room for an onboard bag,” she paused, “I hope it’s heavy enough… I bought it in Texas before I started this job a couple of years ago.”

His lips twitched, as he tried not to smile. “There’s a good store here in town. We’ll get you fixed up. And my Land Rover heats up pretty quickly,” he murmured. Gesturing off to the side where the carousels were, he asked simply, “Shall we?”

She nodded, “Sounds good,” she smiled down at Cherry, “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.”

“I’m Cherry. I’m seven. My mommy named me Cherry because she said her life was so good. I was like the cherry on top of a biiiiiiig ice cream,” Her hands spread as far apart as they could go and she concentrated as if trying to spread them just a little wider.

“It’s a wonderful name,” Kayleigh agreed, crouching down slightly, “As a matter of fact, my favorite treat is chocolate covered cherries.”

“They cover them in chocolate?” she gasped. “Daddy! Did you know they cover cherries in chocolate?” she asked in a voice that said that this was the most brilliant idea that had ever been conceived.

The man smiled, “I did. But I’ve got the only cherry I need already. Are you saying I need to dip you in chocolate too?”

“NO!” she squeaked and gently smacked his leg. “But someday can I try some?”

He looked at Kayleigh for a moment, then smiled, “I think we could figure out a way to get the two of you some chocolate covered cherries to share.”

Kayleigh gave him a small smile, then offered Cherry her hand as they walked towards the carousel, “Of course, do you know what’s as much fun as eating chocolate covered cherries?” She winked down at Cherry, “Making them.”

Cherry’s mouth dropped open, “You know how to make chocolate covered cherries?”

“Yes ma’am, I know how to make all kinds of things that are fun,” Kayleigh smiled at her fondly, “But, if your Dad agrees to us making things you have to be very careful and follow my instructions, because melted chocolate is a little hot.”

Cherry giggled at being called ‘ma’am’. “I’m not ma’am, I’m Cherry,” she stated firmly.

“Well then Cherry, I’m Kayleigh,” she said with a wink.

“Kayleigh. That’s a really pretty name. You’re pretty too. Do you think I’ll be as pretty as you someday?” she asked with a wistful smile.

“Thank you, lovely Cherry.” She smiled down at her, “No, I think you’re going to be even prettier as long as you keep that attitude,” she murmured, and tapped Cherry on the chest with one finger, “Beauty comes from here, because physical beauty can fade and change, but a good, kind heart, and a sharp mind are always better.”

A loud, irritating buzzer echoed in the small room and the conveyor started up, all clanks and rattles. The man looked to Kayleigh and asked, “What does your bag look like?”

Kayleigh smiled up at him, “They’re going to be silver, with a bunch of stencils spray painted on it and a few quotes from famous authors. One will be larger than the other.” It wasn’t long before the suitcases came tumbling down, a few minutes later she tugged a small one off, then she pointed as her big one came down, “That one’s mine too, sir.”

Cherry was looking at the images and the quotes, “Kayleigh, what does this one say?”

“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I’ll try again tomorrow’,” Kayliegh murmured.

“Radmacher, right?” the man asked, pulling the larger silver suitcase off the conveyor.

“Yes, sir. Mary Anne Radmacher,” Kayleigh responded with a slight smile.

“OK, you’re making me feel like my old man, for God’s sake. Please, call me Bryan. I’m not very good at the whole… nicety, introduction thing, but I’m nobody’s sir,” he said with a sad smile, as he slowly started walking toward the doors that would lead them to the parking garage where his Land Rover was parked. He finally added under his breath, “Not anymore…”

“Yes, Bryan,” Kayleigh murmured, her eyes wide, and she stopped before they exited, opening up the small one to pull a somewhat heavy jacket out and pull it on. It was a puffy thing of dark purple. She buttoned it, then closed up her suitcase and followed them out to the parking garage, “Oh, feathers and pillowcases, that’s cold…,” she breathed.

“Would you prefer that I pull around? I can do that…” he asked, trying to be helpful.

“No, I’ll be alright, it’s just… an adaptation,” Kayleigh responded, walking beside them, only doing high knees, to flex her legs and warm them up, “I’m going to have to get used to this, no?”

He chuckled softly, “Well, there’s about three months out of the year that we get into the high fifties, low sixties…,” he offered, looking at her with a bemused smile.

She squeaked softly, “Oh, my that’s going to be a big change… that’s winter in Texas,” she wrinkled her nose, “I’ll just put my big girl pants on and deal.”

Cherry giggled, “You’re already wearing big girl pants.”

Kayleigh laughed and gently booped Cherry’s nose, “You are correct, but I think that I’m going to need some leggings to go underneath my pants.” She smiled at Cherry, “I’ll let you help me pick them out, OK?”

“You’d let me help?” Cherry asked in amazement.

“Of course, Cherry,” Kayleigh said with a smile. “We’ll do all kinds of fun things together, yeah?” She patted Cherry on the shoulder.

“Wow! Dad never lets me pick out his underwear! That’s so cool!” she exclaimed. Bryan for some unknown reason started coughing furiously, blushing a deep red as he tried to regain the ability to breathe.

Kayleigh giggled softly, and patted Cherry on the back. “Of course,” she murmured. True to his word, the Land Rover warmed up quickly, and it had the seat warmers that did so even faster. The trip back was filled with Cherry’s constant chatter of excitement. She passed out about twenty minutes before they arrived at his house. Kayleigh smiled looking over her shoulder at Cherry, “She’s adorably sweet…”

“She’s her mother. Only… you know… littler,” he murmured, the sad smile back on his lips.

Kayleigh gently patted his arm, giving him a soft smile, “I empathize with your loss,” she murmured. She was silent for another minute, “The dossier I received said you wished to homeschool her, do you have a specific curriculum in mind?”

He shook his head. “I was hoping to discuss it with whoever they sent to work through the options and pick.” He paused, then asked, “Have you had much experience with homeschooling?”

“Yes,” she murmured, “I am in the process of getting my Masters in Education.” She paused, “Do you wish to go over it tonight, or wait until morning? I would also like to know if there is specific music that you would prefer her to be exposed to or not to be. I tend to listen to music when I’m cooking and cleaning so…,” she trailed off.

“We can start it tomorrow. As far as music, I think it’s a bit young for her to be exposed to vulgarity, but outside of that, I listen to a wide variety myself. I even believe that rock and roll can exist without sex and drugs…” he responded, a small, wry smile on his lips.

Kayleigh nodded, “I like Skillet,” she murmured, “I will put on headphones if I decide to listen to something inappropriate.”

“Sounds just fine to me,” he replied. “And Skillet puts on a pretty good show. I caught them once in LA before they stopped touring and retired.”

“I never got to see them in concert,” she responded. She looked up at him, “Do you have questions for me?”

“Just one. Is this what you want to do, Kayleigh? Because I know the posting was for a year, but I’ll be honest, I was looking for more than that, the agency just wouldn’t allow it in their post.” He paused, then continued on, “Is caring for a little girl something you want to do or is this just a temporary life stop for you? A way for you to see the world? Because I don’t want her to get attached if…,” he trailed off, his voice going thick.

Kayleigh reached her hand out again and gently placed it on his forearm, looking at the difference between the two for a moment. “It’s life for me,” she said softly. “I love children. I love taking care of them and teaching them. If I wanted to ‘just see the world’, I’ve got a pilot’s license.” She paused, looking back at Cherry, “The year isn’t for her and I, it’s for you and I.” She turned to look up at him again, “It’s their way of making sure we don’t clash horribly. You might not like my six AM bedhead, or the way I do things. That’s why they won’t allow a contract for more than a year until after the year is scheduled to be up.”

He swallowed and nodded his understanding. “Oh… I didn’t know that. I just… I need help with her. And some friends of mine… from another life… recommended…,” he shrugged. “I can put up with anything for her…”

“Understood. However, I think she deserves my best, as do you.” She smiled and patted his arm, “It’s going to be just fine, Bryan. We’ll figure it out together.”

He nodded, and she saw a bit of frantic around the edges that slowly died back down as she patted his arm. He turned off the main road and began driving up a long paved driveway that led back into several clusters of pine trees. After about a three minute drive, he pulled up to a large, cottage-looking structure with sharp, steep rooflines. It looked almost like a lodge; a massive, brand-new looking lodge. “This is us,” he murmured.

She looked around admiringly, “It’s beautiful, Bryan.” She slid out of the Land Rover, a soft squeak escaping at the sudden chill on her legs, “Do you want me to get her, or my luggage?”

“You take her, I’ll get your things. She’s probably lighter,” he said with what was a small, shy-looking smile. He hit a button on the fob of his keychain. “It’s open for you.”

“Alright then,” she murmured. Then gently eased Cherry out of the Land Rover, holding her up. Cherry snuffled and tucked into Kayleigh’s neck and she smiled, “Thank you, which room is hers?”

“I’ll show you,” he said, pulling the luggage out quickly and closing and locking the car. He walked ahead of her and opened the door. Then, leaving her bags in the large entryway, led her past the living room and down a hallway. Off to the left, he opened a room and flicked on the light. The room was pink. Everything, every single thing visible in the room, was pink. He went in and turned down the pink coverlets. “Your eyes stop hurting after a while…,” he offered lamely.

“I feel like I just stepped into a world of cotton candy,” Kayleigh said with a soft laugh. She sank to her knees smoothly and lowered Cherry into the bed at the same time, she eased off her shoes, “Does she sleep in pajamas or do you want to do that?” Kayleigh asked, turning to look up at him.

“For tonight, she can sleep in her clothes. She’s had a pretty exciting day. It shouldn’t make it so she can’t sleep. But yes, she usually sleeps in pajamas,” he paused, then opened his mouth again to clarify, and she murmured with him, “Pink… pajamas.”

Kayleigh nodded, then tucked the blankets up around her, brushing her fingers over Cherry’s forehead. “Sleep well, sweet one,” she murmured before rising back to her feet and stepping back.

Bryan bent over Cherry and kissed her forehead, murmuring, “Ohana,” before he stood and led Kayleigh out of the room. Closing the door behind him he gestured down the hallway, “Next door on the left is you. If you want different sheets or pillows or something, we can pick it up in town. It’s not a problem. I’ll go get your stuff and bring it in.” He turned and started walking back toward the entryway.

She bit her lip, looking after him for a moment, then turned to enter the room. It was beautiful, a little larger than she expected. She carefully eased off her puffy jacket and hung it up in the closet. She did a quick walk through to locate everything, then turned and smiled as Bryan approached with her luggage, “Thank you,” she murmured, “If you’d like to put them on the bed…,” she trailed off.

He nodded and lifted both of them up on the bed, laying them down for her. “Of course, Kayleigh.” He paused, and then when his hands were free, he pointed. “Through that door there is a bathroom you can use. Shower, tub, lavatory. Take as much space as you want in the dresser and closets, and the hot water will not run out,” he murmured. “But this way you can be comfortable taking a shower with privacy. There’s a hall bathroom, and it has a shower too, as does the master, but…,” he shrugged. “I figured if we had a small enough number of guests, the shower in the bathroom would be more comfortable than the one in the hall…”

Kayleigh nodded, listening to him. “Thank you, Bryan. I appreciate your thoughtfulness,” she smiled up at him. “Don’t worry, it’s going to be OK.” She rested her hand on his forearm again, “Just breathe, I’m not going to abandon you and Cherry.”

He looked at her for a moment, then nodded, “OK. Would you like the rest of the tour?’

“Yes please,” she murmured. “What time would you like breakfast?” She asked as she followed him from the room.

“How does… eight o’clock sound?” he asked. “Or is that too early…?”

“I can do that,” she said, “Do you have a preferred breakfast meal or just… whatever I make as long as it’s edible? Does Cherry?”

He snorted, “Cherry would eat cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I let her. I’m fairly easy to please. I’m not a vegetarian. Decidedly not… a vegetarian. So, throw some meat at it somewhere and it’s probably good.” He pointed toward a large, very clean kitchen. “Kitchen. It’s… well, it’s yours now. Anything in there, use. If you start running out, tell me and I’ll make it so you don’t.”

“Yes, Bryan,” she murmured, looking into the kitchen, her eyes widening. “Very nice,” she commented as she looked up at him to ask, “Do you want me to teach Cherry cooking and baking as well?”

“Good life skills to have…,” he murmured.

“Plus it helps with math, particularly fractions,” she grinned up at him, “I learned most of my basic math skills in two places, the gaming store and my mom’s kitchen.”

The rest of the tour was concluded, the remainder being the living room, entryway, and the door to his studio, and she found herself back in her room after he had gone into his, directly across the hall. Kayleigh turned thoughts of Bryan over in her mind, then nodded to herself. She set an alarm for six-thirty AM, then started putting away her things. The only personal item in her room was a single picture of her and her family that she put at the top of the dresser. She glanced at the phone, “Yeah, it’s not too late to call him.” She slid her earbud in and padded towards the kitchen to fix herself a small bite to eat.

She pressed the dial on her phone, “Hello, Master Hayden, my apologies for calling so late but I didn’t want to miss you tomorrow.” She paused, “No, I’m afraid that’s part of why I’m calling. I’m not going to be able to help Skyelar with the munch in April. I’m not back in the continental states like I’d originally planned.” She listened to him for a few minutes, then laughed, “No, Master Hayden, I’m fine, I just took a different opportunity elsewhere. How’s little imp doing?” She listened to him as he gushed about his daughter and his wife. “I’m glad things are going well, remind Skyelar that she’s supposed to be resting. I’ll send emails with more details and talk to you two online, yeah?” She paused, “OK, have a good night, Master Hayden. Give Skyelar and Jane all my love.” She hung up the phone, and returned to quietly eating.

+++++++++++++++++

Kayleigh rolled out of bed with a thump when her alarm went off, she grunted then sleepily headed for the shower. She stripped and washed up quickly before dressing for the day, comfortable leggings and a long dress. She pulled on her socks, then slipped her feet into her slippers before heading to the kitchen. Promptly at eight o’clock she slid three plates to the table, one with two tacos and the others with a single taco each. She turned and padded out of the kitchen and headed for Cherry’s room, “Cherry berry, time for breakfast.”

She almost burst out of the room. “YAY! Cereal?” she asked as she raced up to Kayleigh with breathless anticipation.

“Actually, my little dessert topping, I made you something special from my home state.” She held out her hand, “Want to try it?”

“You made it?” Cherry asked dubiously.

“Yes, ma’am I did.” Kayleigh booped her nose, “Remember, we had this conversation, I’d make food and you’d eat food?” She grinned, “I figure you can help me make lunch and dinner, sound good?”

“OK!” she beamed. “So… what did you make?” she asked curiously.

She paused to rap on Bryan’s door, “Breakfast is served,” she called through it. Then turned to lead Cherry onward, “Why I made tacos for breakfast.” She grinned at Cherry’s confused face, “They’re sausage, potatoes and eggs with cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla.”

Cherry’s face scrunched up. “That doesn’t sound like tacos. Tacos are those yellow crunchy things. My daddy makes them sometimes.”

“Those are tacos also, but they’re not breakfast tacos, same name, different breed,” Kayleigh explained easily, “Like you can have a dog that’s a pug, and a dog that’s a husky, they’re both dogs, but they’re not the same kind.”

Her eyes widened as she wrapped her seven-year old brain around that. “Oh!” she gasped in understanding. As her father walked out in pajama pants and an old t-shirt she ran up to him, “Daddy! Daddy! Kayleigh made tacos for breakfast, but not the tacos like you make. They’re not pug tacos. They’re breakfast tacos, like husky tacos!” she said enthusiastically.

Bryan’s brow furrowed in confusion, then he looked at Kayleigh. “We’ve got… meat in the fridge. Dog really isn’t a thing anymore. Even in Asia… And where did you get a husky anyway?” he trailed off softly.

Kayleigh burst into giggles, covering her mouth when a faint squeak escaped as she laughed, holding up her hand for a moment. After a few seconds, she shook her head, “I made breakfast tacos with pork sausage, eggs, potatoes and cheese. I was trying to explain to Cherry that the tacos I made and the tacos you make are both tacos, just different breeds.”

Understanding immediately crossed his face. “Oh. OK then. That makes a lot more sense. And… we’re not getting a husky. Before anyone asks. Just… no.”

“Huskies are adorably evil dogs, and as stubborn as teenagers… I agree.” Kayleigh grinned up at him, then tilted her head towards the kitchen, “Breakfast.”

“Come on, munchkin. Let’s go sit at the table.” Bryan tousled her hair gently, murmuring to Kayleigh as he passed, “Thank you for breakfast. It smells wonderful.”

“Happy to serve,” she murmured as she went to her own seat. Breakfast was eaten and even Cherry thought they were good, despite them not being cereal-flavored. After they finished, Kayleigh moved back to the kitchen and took care of the dishes, cleaning the area back up to its previously spotless condition. Cherry bounded to her feet, “I’m gonna go dress.” She raced out of the room.

Bryan watched her go, shaking his head, “God, what I wouldn’t give to have that much energy again.”

Kayleigh chuckled, then sat down at the table pulling her PDA out, “So, I’ve got a dossier here of what was listed as part of the expectations,” she turned it and presented it to him, “Was anything missed that you would like me to add?”

He glanced at it quickly, then shook his head, “No, that pretty much covers what was agreed on.” He paused, then asked, “That’s all… still OK, right?” he asked softly.

“Yes, Bryan,” she smiled up at him, “Now, as you weren’t sure what curriculum, I took a bit of time last night to compile a list. I don’t think you want her vibrant nature squashed by the third world prison that is our current public system. So, I picked these four out and thought I’d mix and match them based on what she needs to focus on more.” She slid her PDA back over to him, “All four are highly accredited, and while I can provide almost everything on them, the only issue might be language. I am only qualified to teach French, German, Spanish, or Italian.”

“Well… French and Spanish are both fairly practical here in the states. German if you go overseas…,” he trailed off as he looked at the PDA. “Most of all, I want her to learn how to learn and then learn to love doing so. I’ve always said all that pouring facts into kids’ heads is going to do is teach them to take a test, but if you get them to figure out how to learn, they won’t run into anything insurmountable later in life.”

“Sounds good,” she patted his forearm, “I’ve got you, Bryan.” She turned and padded from the room, “Have a good day doing whatever it is you do,” she called over one shoulder.

++++++++++++++

Days flew into weeks, and every day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner were provided. It was always hot, tasty, and fresh. Her grocery list was always written in a neat but tiny hand. During the day, he could hear Cherry laughing, and every evening she would excitedly talk about their day and what she learned.

Music was playing one afternoon, not super loudly, but he could hear furniture being moved around in the living room, then Cherry’s delighted laughter. Bryan poked his head out of his studio, the leather apron he was wearing splotched with paint, and looked. Kayleigh was dancing around the living room with his daughter. Neither one was wearing shoes and Cherry was beaming up at Kayleigh. “Again, Kay, again,” Cherry begged. Kayleigh laughed and obliged, lifting Cherry overhead in a spin before lowering her to the ground again.

Bryan opened the door a little further and rested against the door frame watching them. He could not remember the last time Cherry had been so happy. It certainly wasn’t with him. He was, for a time beyond counting, once again grateful he had listened to James and Michael’s advice and called the agency. As sad as he was that he seemed not so capable of doing that himself, he was grateful that there was now someone in her life that could.

Kayleigh’s phone chirped and the two stopped dancing to look at it. “I wonder who that could be,” Kayleigh mused in a sing-song voice. “It’s Skyelar!”

“Yay, Skyelar!” Cherry bellowed. The two flopped down on the floor, and Kayleigh set her phone up, answering it. “SKYELAR! JANE!”

“CHERRY!” came an excited squeal from the phone, “AUNTY KAY!”

Skyelar and Kayleigh laughed as Cherry and Jane started chattering away at each other in excitement, “And then the whale splashed Daddy and I, and I thought Mommy would be mad, but instead she just laughed and laughed.” Jane carried on gesturing, “And I sent Aunty Kay a present to give to you, I got it at the zoo, it’s supposed to be a surprise, but I can’t wait. I got us matching bracelets ’cause you’re my bestest friend.”

Cherry giggled, “And you’re my bestest friend too.” Then she launched into her own tale about the snow that came and how her and Daddy took Kay to the store to buy warmer clothes and she got to help pick them out. Skeylar and Kayleigh met eyes over the two girls, and laughed softly, shaking their heads. “And my Daddy carried all the bags in one hand.”

“Girls, it’s almost time to start preparing dinner for us. Jane?” Skyelar prompted. Jane pouted, then nodded. “OK. Bye, Cherry. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, OK? You can help me with Math.”

“OK, but you have to help me with French.” Cherry responded.

“Deal,” Jane said, then handed the phone to her Mom. Cherry pouted as the two women hung up, “It’s just past lunch time, but they’re getting ready to have dinner… that doesn’t make sense, Kay.”

“Well, Cherry, let’s go figure that out, shall we?” Kayleigh rolled to her feet, and held her hand out to Cherry. She started walking back towards the study area when Cherry took it, but froze for a moment before giving Bryan a shy smile when she saw him watching from the door. “Hi,” she said softly.

“Hi. You’re quite the dancer,” he murmured, before looking at Cherry. “Are you having fun munchkin?”

“Yeah! We’re going to go figure out why I ate lunch not too long ago, but Jane’s about to eat dinner,” she said excitedly.

“That ought to be interesting. Do you think you can tell me about it later?” he asked.

“Yeah. I can,” she agreed.

“That sounds like something I ought to know too,” he said, then looked at Kayleigh with a small smile. “I’ll let you get back to it. I just heard her laugh and…,” he trailed off, a wistful expression on his face.

“You’re welcome to join in with us at any time, Bryan,” Kayleigh murmured, giving him a sweet smile before Cherry dragged her off.

He watched them go, then sighed before turning back to his studio. The massive canvas on the wall was dark and covered with raw pain. Deep blues and black and grey accentuated with red bled as much from his heart as they did from his brushes. He looked at it for a long moment, the tears back, then took up the brush he had been using and began again.

+++++++++++

A couple of months passed. Bryan painted, but he found himself drawn out gradually more and more. He began joining Kayleigh and Cherry as they worked. He found satisfaction as, instead of giving his daughter the answers, Kayleigh helped her find them. He shifted his focus, instead of painting all day he would paint in the morning, when Cherry and Kayleigh worked on the basics then would join them in the afternoon when they worked on discovery. Kayleigh always had a smile to welcome him and Cherry blossomed even more.

His paintings sold, each one for a sum that was split in half, partly to go in the bank, the other half going into a college fund for Cherry. It was after the third painting sold for triple what the previous two had that he got a call from his agent, “Who is she?”

“Who is… who, Henry?” Bryan asked, confused.

“You’ve met someone, Bryan. I’m glad,” Henry responded, looking at the picture of the latest painting, the dark colors still predominant, but slightly off center there was a glimmering of white, a profile of a female, with red hair, no distinctive features but it was definitely a woman. “I just want to know who she is so I can thank her.”

“Maybe some other time, Henry. She’s… well… I’m keeping this one close to the vest for now. Besides, I doubt she feels the same,” he responded.

Henry rubbed the bridge of his nose, “Have you tried? You can’t know unless you do. I’ve got to go, but think about it Bryan. You should find your happiness. Beth wouldn’t have wanted you to be miserable for the rest of your life just because she was gone.”

Bryan choked back a sob and said quickly, “Bye, Henry,” before hanging up the phone. He set it down and gasped, his heart pounding in his ears as he tried to calm himself down again. Henry wouldn’t understand. It wasn’t that easy. You don’t just wake up one day and go, ‘Yep. Today’s the day I forget my late wife and go look for someone to replace her.’ And then there were her feelings to consider. How many studies had been done where being with a widower was emotionally draining enough that most couldn’t or didn’t want to handle it.

Bryan quickly brushed the tears that threatened to spill out of his eyes with his hands and went to the small wash room in his studio to wash the paints off his hands. Taking off the apron and hanging it up, he stepped out and closed the door. Kayleigh and Cherry were sitting at the table looking at her tablet and it sounded like she was teaching her some math. Bryan stepped up to the table and asked with as genuine of a smile as he could muster. “How are we doing today?”

“Math is fun, Daddy,” Cherry announced, not looking up as she solved different math problems. “Kay said that after I learn Math really good I could learn Python.”

Kayleigh on the other hand looked up and her brow furrowed, her eyes turning worried as she took in the different expression on his face. ‘Are you OK?’ she mouthed over Cherry’s head.

He tried another smile. ‘I’ll be alright,’ he mouthed back, before speaking up, “Python, huh? You know, your daddy knows a few things about computer programming too. Maybe I could help Kayleigh with your teaching for that.”

“That sounds great Daddy,” Cherry turned and smiled at him, blowing him a kiss. She turned back to her math problem.

After she finished the assignment she bounded to her feet and looked at Kayleigh expectantly, “One,” Kayleigh said, then Cherry darted away to the kitchen. Kayleigh turned to Bryan and stood up, “I know I’m probably overstepping, but would a hug help?”

“I… maybe?” he offered. “Just an unexpectedly difficult call with my agent.”

Kayleigh nodded, then stepped forward and wrapped her arms gently around him. Her head came to just above his breastbone. She was soft, warm and smelled faintly of honeysuckle. “Is this helping?” she asked quietly.

He breathed in her scent and sighed, the muscles in his body relaxing. With a soft smile, he murmured, “Yes, actually… it is. Thank you, Kayleigh. I don’t mean to be… a bother…”

“Oh, Bryan. You’re not a bother, I’m happy to serve.” She tightened her grasp briefly, then slowly released him to smile up into his eyes. “You’re welcome to as many hugs as you need and want, OK? I won’t ever turn you away.”

He blinked, and looked into her eyes, seeing only concern there. He slowly nodded, breathing, “OK,” as he glanced up and saw Cherry racing back with a cookie.

Cherry skidded to a stop, staring between the two, then squealed, “Group hug.” She stuffed the cookie into her mouth and bounded forward. She wrapped her arms around both Kayleigh and Bryan’s leg, and mumbled with a mouth full of cookie, “Ohana.”

Bryan’s eyes widened and he got a curious look on his face, murmuring softly in return as he put one arm around Cherry and one around Kayleigh, “Ohana.”

Kayleigh rested her head against Bryan’s chest, one arm around him, then put her hand on Cherry’s back, “Ohana.”

“Sorry, it’s… from an old cartoon movie…,” Bryan murmured, looking down at Kayleigh. “She liked the little girl…”

Kayleigh smiled up at him, “I always liked the way Nani was. Of course, the confusion on David’s face when Lilo told him his hair was fancy was priceless.”

He sighed, relieved that she at least knew what he was talking about. “I won’t lie. I ugly cried at the end of that movie. ‘This is… my family. It’s a little bit broken… but still good’. I…,” he trailed off, trying to shove the tears back down for Cherry’s sake.

Kayleigh nodded, and hugged Bryan tighter, “I’ve got you,” she murmured softly as Cherry squeezed them tighter. “So, how about we put a movie on?”

Cherry squealed and raced for the living room, “I pick, I pick.”

Kayleigh looked up at Bryan, then gently gathered him into her arms and stood on her tiptoes, “I’ve got you. You are safe, you are wanted. I won’t let you fall.” She held him and rocked him side to side for a moment, offering him a comforting anchor in his time of need.

His arms found themselves around her again, and he murmured, “Sorry, I don’t usually… have this much of a problem…,” as he struggled to regain his control.

“Hey, no apologies needed,” Kayleigh continued to gently rock him. “I meant it. I am happy to serve. I’ve got you, you don’t have to be strong all the time with me. I won’t judge you or think less of you. My arms can always catch and hold you.”

They stayed like that for several moments before he spoke again, “You know… you’re really good at this.”

She pulled back gently, giving him a soft, sweet smile, “I’m glad I can be good for you. Shall we?” She gestured towards the living room, “Cherry is waiting.”

He nodded and they walked into the living room. Cherry had selected Tangled and Bryan pulled up the movie on the player. The three sat back on the couch, Cherry in the middle and they began watching the movie. As was his custom, when he sat down on the couch, Bryan stretched out his arms along the back both ways. This time, that caused one to fall across Kayleigh’s shoulders. He hesitated and was ready to pull it away, but the smile she gave him caused him to stop and relax his arm once again.

After the movie was over, Cherry was curled up sound asleep with her head on Bryan’s lap and her feet in Kayleigh’s. Kayliegh just giggled softly, then eased up carefully scooping her into her arms, “I’ll put her down for a nap for an hour.”

Bryan watched her walk off and his mind wandered back to Henry’s words. She had been with him for about three months now. They had passed the three week trial period, and things in his life had not been better for years. What if Henry was right, he mused. What if it was time, not to replace Beth, but to learn to care for someone again. But how would he even start?

Kayleigh slipped back quietly and moved around the living room, tidying it up again. She tilted her head and gave Bryan a smile, “Do you need anything?”

Bryan thought about that for a moment, then stood. “How about some help? What needs doing? You point, I’ll do it,” he offered with a smile.

Her brow furrowed for a moment, then she gave him a sweet smile. “Well, I was going to get another batch of cookies started if you’d like to help with that,” she answered.

“Sure. I’d be happy to,” he replied, and the two of them went into the kitchen and began to make another batch of cookies. There was occasional conversation, mostly about Cherry and how she was doing with the school work Kayleigh was giving her along with assessment and plans for future adjustments, but mostly they simply worked together, finding something of a quiet familiarity in each other’s presence.

The rest of the week passed slowly. Kayleigh found herself wrapped in a hug with Bryan and Cherry a lot more often as Cherry would pull her in for an ‘Ohana hug’. Kayleigh simply gave Bryan a sweet smile and tried to hide the love for them that was building inside her. Finally it was Saturday. Kayleigh made breakfast, then retired to her room for a little bit of quiet time. Cherry was watching cartoons and Kayleigh had her door open so she could hear if she was needed.

Bryan stared at his phone for a long moment, before dialing a number he had not called in over a year. It rang for a few moments, then a voice picked up, “Michael Moorwind.”

“Michael? It’s… Bryan.”

“Bryan? How the hell are you, brother-man? I keep meaning to call you. How is… where did you move again? Alaska? A lot different than California, I’d imagine. And that little girl of yours!” the excited voice came from across the phone, as if no time had passed at all and they had just seen each other yesterday.

“She’s well. Seven, and precocious. And yes, it’s Alaska. Just outside of Fairbanks. How is your business?”

“Wonderful. Got a new product we’re showcasing at AVN in Vegas this year thanks to your old company. And… I found someone,” Bryan could almost see the beaming smile on his old friend’s face.

“That’s wonderful, Michael. Is she… in the life?”

“She is. Came to a local munch when Jasmine… you remember her, right? James’ slave? They got to be friends and she came to one. We hit it off. Got married six months ago and it’s been great. She’s expecting!” he gushed.

“I’m really happy for you. Really happy,” Bryan smiled wistfully.

“I’m sure that’s not why you called, though, right? And you retired, so it’s not business…,” Michael trailed off.

“No, it’s…,” he paused looking at Cherry to make sure she was focused on the cartoons. Seeing that she was, he continued in a low voice, “I… I think I may have met someone…”

“That’s WONDERFUL!” Michael exclaimed.

“… and I’m struggling a bit with it,” he continued.

“Because of Beth?” Michael asked.

“Yeah.”

Michael paused for a moment, reaching out to pick up his tablet and pull up his schedule. “Look, I’m free Friday next week. How about I bring Annabelle and we come up and meet you for dinner? My treat. We’ll talk and see if we can walk through this. OK?”

“Are you sure, Michael? It’s Minnesota, and I don’t want you to drop everything…” Bryan started.

“Nonsense. Annabelle has always wanted to visit Alaska. I figure we’ll meet you for dinner Friday, and then I’ll take Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and we can do some sight seeing. I mean, what the hell’s the point of owning your own company if you can’t do what you want once in a while?” Michael asked rhetorically.

Bryan chuckled, “Yeah…” He paused for a moment, then added, “I’ll make some reservations. Let me know when you think you’ll be getting in, and I’ll send you the address.”

Michael smiled to himself, “Sounds good. I look forward to seeing you again.” He hung up the phone, turning his head and calling to his wife, “Honey, you’re going to want to go shopping for a heavier coat. We’re going to be in Alaska this weekend.”

“Yes, Master,” Annabelle called.

“Good girl,” Michael murmured as he thought about his old friend and started wrapping his mind around the predicament he was in and how to help him.

Bryan put the phone back in his pocket and smiled softly. It would be good to see Michael again. The pair had gotten to know each other back when Bryan was still in California with Beth. Having run a very successful custom computer software and circuitry firm, Bryan’s team had helped Michael with a couple of projects for some of his products in the teledildonics industry. Apparently, they sold really well. He had gotten out of the business shortly after that had started to move to Alaska, though.

The week passed quickly, and the following Friday morning finally rolled around. Kayleigh watched him go, then looked down at Cherry, “What would you like to do?”

“Let’s go play the piano!” Cherry announced, taking her hand and leading her back to the study. The two spent the rest of the day playing and enjoying themselves. Kayleigh only took a moment to hope that Bryan was having fun with his old friends.

The three met at a reservation-only Italian restaurant in the city. Bryan had arrived early and was waiting when Michael and Annabelle walked in. He waved them over and stood, extending his hand to Michael who batted it away and pulled the man in for a hug. “You’re family, Bryan. Family doesn’t shake hands.”

Bryan blushed slightly and hugged the slightly older man before standing back. With an appraising look, he stated, “You look happy, Michael.”

“I am happy, Bryan. She’s got everything to do with that. Bryan? This is my Annabelle,” he gestured at the woman who stepped in to give the much larger man a hug, then stretched up to kiss his cheek briefly.

“It is good to meet you Master Bryan. Master has told me so much about you.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Annabelle. Thank you for making my friend so happy,” Bryan murmured, almost awkwardly at the use of a title he had not heard applied to him in over three years.

“I love him,” she said simply as she turned to look at Michael. It showed.

Bryan cleared his throat, “So… come, sit. There’s no rush. Cherry is taken care of. We have time.”

Michael took his seat and pulled another next to his so that Annabelle could sit close. As she sat down, Michael looked at Bryan, “So what’s good here?”

Bryan answered honestly, “I’ve never had anything bad here. Their cook staff was actually trained in Italy. Fantastic stuff, really.”

Annabelle smiled, “Sounds wonderful, Master Bryan.” She rested her hand on Michael’s leg, “How long since she started did it take you to realize you loved her?”

With a small smile at her directness, one that mirrored Michael’s with which he was so familiar, he responded, “It was… just a week ago, actually. I got a call from my agent about a painting I did. He saw the change and wanted to know who the woman I’d met was. He knew right away. I guess I didn’t really see it.” Bryan shrugged.

“Do you have a photo of the painting?” Michael asked. Bryan pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture of his latest, handing it to Michael. Familiar with his other work, having kept tabs on his friend without him really knowing, even Michael could see it. “She’s a redhead, and one of the bright spots in your life that drives back the darkness…,” he murmured, before handing it to Annabelle to look at.

“That’s beautiful,” Annabelle breathed before looking at Bryan. “Yes, Master Bryan, You’re in love.” She passed him his phone back.

“But… What about Beth?” he looked at Michael.

“You still love her,” Annabelle interjected, “You don’t stop loving one just because you feel love for another, they’ll always be a part of you.”

“You’ve got a daughter, and a beautiful one at that,” Michael stated. “When she was born, did you all of a sudden have to love Beth less so that you could give love to your daughter?”

Bryan looked at him for a brief moment before shaking his head, “Well… no… of course not.”

“That’s right. Love doesn’t divide, brother. Love multiplies. There’s always room to love more. You don’t stop loving Beth just because this new girl is here. You don’t take away love from your daughter to give some to her. There’s more. There’s always more,” Michael explained.

The rest of the dinner passed, two o’clock became four, and it was almost seven when they finally left the restaurant, having discussed getting back into the life and what to look at with her. As they left the restaurant, it was Annabelle who asked, “Do you have a picture of her?”

“Yes,” he pulled out his phone and flicked it, it was a picture of Kayleigh and Cherry. It wasn’t a posed picture as it looked like the two were busy talking, Kayleigh had a lamp in one hand and was slowly turning a globe of the world, “I snapped that when she was helping Cherry discover what time zones are and why they exist.” He flicked it, and the next one was of Kayleigh and Cherry dancing in the living room. “Cherry is so happy with her around.”

“Well, Kayleigh has that effect on people,” Annabelle said with a soft chuckle.

“Yeah, she…,” he trailed off and blinked. “Wait… You know her?” Bryan asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

“We went to college together, just outside of Dallas, it was her, myself and a young woman named Skyelar. We ended up sharing an apartment together,” she giggled softly, “She’s the one that helped me learn how to cook so well.”

Bryan chuckled, “Well, hell. You guys want to come see her tonight? Tomorrow? I’m sure she’d be excited to see you, and Cherry always likes meeting new people…”

Michael looked at Annabelle and saw the hope in her eyes, before smiling slightly. “Yeah, we can come tonight, if that’s OK. It’s only seven, and I can check into the hotel remotely.”

Bryan sent Michael a text with his address and smiled. “Give me about a five minute head start and I’ll see you there.” He got in the Land Rover and drove off, dialing Kayleigh as he did.

“Hello Bryan, are you having fun?” Kayleigh asked in a soft voice filled with laughter. “Easy Cherry, a gentle squeeze.”

“I am. How are my two favorite girls?” he smiled at the sound of her voice.

“We are currently decorating sugar cookies,” Kayleigh said, “Of course I think Cherry has gotten more on her face than on the cookie…,” she laughed softly. “I take it you’re on your way home?”

“I am, and I’m bringing you a present,” he paused, “Are you decent?”

“Umm… yes? I mean I’m wearing clothes, does that count?” Kayleigh laughed again, “Yes, we’re decent, the kitchen is a little messy but it won’t take long to clean.”

“OK. I’ll be there in about ten and the present will be here in about fifteen.” He went to hang up, then stopped. “I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this, but I appreciate you. And you have a wonderful laugh. I like it a lot.”

“OK,” Kayleigh murmured, her tone somewhat confused. “Thank you, Bryan. I enjoy your laugh as well. I’ll see you in ten.”

He hung up the phone, and drove, smiling to himself. The talk with Michael had helped a lot. While he still wasn’t sure Kayleigh wouldn’t be better off with someone who wasn’t a widower, he did feel like he needed to give living another shot, for himself as much as for his daughter. Ten minutes later, Bryan was pulling up to his cabin. He got out and walked inside, “I’m back.”

Cherry darted around the corner, she had flour still in her hair but she flung her arms around him tightly, “DADDY! We made sugar cookies,” she tugged his hand and towed him towards the kitchen, “Kay is cleaning up.”

Kayleigh smiled, turning to face them as she wiped the counter down one final time. She had a bit of flour on her apron. “Welcome home,” she smiled up at him.

He smiled softly at her. “Say that again…,” he breathed, his eyes searching hers.

“Welcome home,” she repeated, tilting her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her gaze.

“That sounds so wonderful when you say it…,” he murmured softly. “So… cookies, huh? I hope you made enough to share.”

“Well, we made two dozen, so as long as an army isn’t showing up I think we should be OK.” Kayleigh stepped towards him and offered him a hug with a sweet smile.

The doorbell rang and Bryan whipped his head around with a barely muttered, “God damn, he drives fast…” Smiling down at her, he murmured, “I hope you enjoy your present…,” before turning and walking to the door. His large body blocked it fairly well as he called, opening it, “Come in, come in. Welcome to our home. Kayleigh, Cherry, this is Michael Moorwind and…,” he stepped out of the way.

“KAYLEIGH!” a small bundled up redhead raced into the house and threw herself at Kayleigh.

Kayleigh stepped back slightly, rocking under the sudden missile, then laughed loudly, “Little Annabelle all grown up,” she wrapped her arms around Annabelle and hugged her tightly, quickly shifting to avoid her belly, “You adorable little mischief maker. What are you doing here? And pregnant?”

“Master and I came to visit Bryan,” she smiled up at Kayleigh, “You were right, I should have listened to you in college.”

“You’ll find I do that with strange frequency,” Kayleigh said with a soft chuckle, looking at the collar, she kissed Annabelle’s forehead. She smiled up at Bryan, then looked at Michael speculatively, “Master Michael, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“So you’re the one that’s been riding herd on my old friend,” he said with a smile. “That painting makes an awful lot more sense now.”

Kayleigh tilted her head, her brow confused, “Painting? I’m sorry, Master Michael I’m not sure I understand. I’m not privy to what is being painted. I spend most of my time with Cherry.” She gestured to the little girl that was staring up at Annabelle with wide eyes.

Michael looked at Bryan, who was blushing and shaking his head. “Oh. I see. My advice, old friend? Show her.” He paused, then added, “Soon.”

Subdued, Bryan looked at Michael for a long moment, then hung his head and nodded. “Yeah… You’re right.”

Michael turned back to Annabelle and Kayleigh. “My apologies. I didn’t realize the two of you knew each other or I’d have tried to find you and arranged this several months ago.”

Kayleigh smiled softly, “It’s alright Master Michael, we’re here now and that’s what matters.” She smiled down at Annabelle, “I was Annabelle’s den mother while she was in college. She probably doesn’t want anyone to hear stories of how adorable and precious she was at thirteen.”

Annabelle huffed, sticking her tongue out at Kayleigh, “No, because I wasn’t.”

Cherry piped up, “If Kay says you were adorable then you were. She’s always been honest with me.”

Kayleigh laughed, and hugged Cherry to her other side, “Come in, have a seat, we have cookies and I can fix you something to drink.” She turned and led Annabelle and Cherry to the living room.

Cherry was talking with Annabelle excitedly, “Your necklace is very pretty. Kay has one like it but doesn’t wear it very often. I sometimes see it when I have a bad dream and crawl into bed with her.” Cherry’s eyes lit up, “You can help me convince her to put it on, then you would match.”

Both Annabelle and Cherry turned a begging gaze on Kayleigh and she huffed, trying to mask the flash of sadness, “Oh, alright.” She turned and padded down the hall to her bedroom. Cherry and Annabelle gave each other a high five and giggled together. A few minutes later Kayleigh came back out, only this time before where her neck was bare was a multicolored chain link collar with a single circle in the front, “There, happy?”

“Yes,” Cherry and Annabelle said together with a giggle.

Bryan looked over at Kayleigh and did a double-take. His eyes went wide in surprise and no small portion of desire and his jaw dropped slightly. Michael stepped closer and put his hand on Bryan’s shoulder. “Just breathe. This makes everything easier,” he murmured softly with a smile.

The evening passed swiftly and Cherry started yawning and getting sleepy. Kayleigh smiled and scooped her up, “I’ll be back, it’s someone’s bedtime.” She carried Cherry to her room filled with petulant whines of ‘I’m not that tired, Kay.’

Annabelle grinned at Bryan, tucking herself into Michael’s side, “Go ahead and ask,” she murmured, grinning up at Michael. “You want to know what she was so right about, don’t you?”

Bryan nodded. Annabelle smiled, her eyes going distant, “I graduated high school at twelve, then went to college, my first year sucked majorly and I was having a hard time, then I found Kayleigh. She picked me up, took me home and stepped up to be my Den Mother. See, the college I went to wasn’t really big enough to have sororities, so most kids were expected to figure things out on their own.” She paused, “I dated a lovely young man later on in college when I was sixteen and he was seventeen, but… I was unhappy, when I went to Kayleigh about it she sat me down and explained that I, like her, was a submissive and wouldn’t be happy without someone who can take control. Someone we could trust. She told me my biggest unhappiness was that I didn’t trust him. Not with the core of who I was.”

Annabelle paused, “She was right, but being a stubborn teenager I didn’t want to admit it. It took a few years and a move to Minneapolis before I realized, that I was dumb and she was truthful. I called her up, apologized, and she laughed and said, ‘You’re a teenager, getting grumpy with your mom is expected. I love you, Annabelle, spread your wings and fly.’ So, that night I went to the munch where I met Michael… The rest, as they say, is history.”

“Don’t forget to tell them about your goth stage,” Kayleigh said from the doorway, “That was adorable too.”

“Gah! Don’t remind me,” Annabelle said, covering her face with her hands, “That was not adorable.”

“Betcha Master Michael would disagree if I were to show him the pictures…,” Kayleigh said with a laugh before sitting down beside Bryan.

“How, I destroyed the digital copies,” Annabelle said.

“Yes, you destroyed the ones you knew about, but not the hard copies, or the spare USB drive I had of them as backup,” Kayleigh grinned and pulled out her phone, and flicked it a few times before pressing her pinky to the phone, then she pressed and brought up a picture. It was of Annabelle dressed up in goth clothes, but she had somehow gotten crossed between a schoolgirl and Wednesday Addams. “Adorable.”

Michael looked at Annabelle with a bemused grin, “My slave… you’ve been keeping things that I need to know from me…” He glanced at the picture, “This is important information…,” he smiled, tickling at her side gently.

Annabelle giggled and shrieked, squirming against him, “I’m sorry, Master.”

“I think we’re going to have to have some long conversations about your college days and your exploits later. Preferably with pictures,” he added.

Annabelle pointed at Kayleigh, “This is all your fault.”

Kayleigh smiled and bowed from where she was sitting, “I am so happy to have been helpful, Master Michael.” She grinned at him, “I have all the pictures.”

Annabelle giggled, and leaned against Michael, “I suppose I could tell you about the time the two of us almost got nicked for Grand Theft Auto…,” she cackled.

Kayleigh choked, and covered her face, “That poor police officer.”

“So, Kay and I were celebrating my eighteenth birthday and on our way to a club to meet some of the other girls we went to college with. As you know, we’re both… small.” She paused, and gestured between the two. “We got pulled over because our music was too loud and the officer thought we were a couple of girls taking our parents’ car. So we had to provide proof, which we had, then he called his chief…”

“That poor police officer,” Kayleigh repeated sadly.

“His chief shows up, and looks at our ID cards, then looks at us, we’re just sitting calmly in the back of the police car. He recognized Kayleigh, and let us go immediately with apologies, and I looked back as we left, and he was reaming the poor officer out for not just running the numbers on the plates and the ID.” She giggled, “It gets better, the reason why the Chief knew who she was, is that she had been tutoring his son in advanced mathematics. And was the chief provider of his baked goods.”

“So… what I’m hearing is, if we want to get on the good side of the Fairbanks Police Department, we need to show up with a bunch of Kayleigh’s baked goods…,” Bryan murmured, looking down at Kayleigh warmly.

Kayleigh gave him a soft sweet smile, “Yes, that’s typically a good thing.”

“I will keep that in mind,” he murmured, the corner of his lips twitching.

Annabelle chuckled softly, “I believe that Master and I will get out of your hair for the night.” She rose and looked at Bryan and Kayleigh, “Have a good night, Master Bryan and Kayleigh.” She turned to take Micahel’s hand, giving it a small squeeze.

Bryan stood, reaching his hand out to help Kayleigh up. She smiled up at him, gently squeezing his fingers, before hugging Annabelle and Michael briefly, “You two have a good night, call me tomorrow, yeah?”

Annabelle nodded, “Definitely.”

Bryan stepped over to Michael and gave him another hug. “Thanks, Michael. I think I needed this more than I knew.”

“Of course you did. That’s what family does, right? But next time, you two are coming to Minneapolis, and don’t you dare forget that beautiful daughter of yours. I’d never hear the end of it from either Annabelle or Jasmine,” Michael replied softly.

Bryan nodded, “Count on it.”

Bryan led them out the door and closed it behind them. Turning to look at Kayleigh, he smiled shyly. “Good surprise?”

“Yes, it was wonderful to see her again,” she smiled up at him, biting her lower lip. “Thank you.”

He looked at her for a long moment, then reached up to cup her cheek and brush his thumb over it. “Of course. How could I not once I knew?” he asked softly.

Her brow furrowed and she tilted her face slightly, pressing it into his hand, “Knew what, Mas…,” she stopped before she completed it, swallowing.

“That she was your friend. That…,” he swallowed, “That I would do anything to make the two special ladies in my life smile.” He looked into her eyes for a long moment, then murmured, “I think it’s time I showed you something.”

“As you wish,” she murmured, her eyes still searching his in wonder.

He took her hand and gently led her to the door to his studio. Opening it, he took her inside, flicking on the light switch. It was massive. Almost as big as the living room and kitchen combined. There was an anvil and a forge, a kiln, and an entire wall dedicated to just painting with a massive canvas that was covered with a sheet. He led her to one side. “Most of what I have been focusing on this past year is painting. It started small…,” he trailed off pulling out some smaller canvases from a rack, handing them to her in turn. Each was dominantly blue and grey and black with some reds. They were crushing in the sadness they invoked. “It was… therapeutic. Eventually, I don’t remember how it started, my agent, Henry, got a hold of a photo or two of these. He convinced me to make a larger piece.”

Moving toward a wall, there was a photograph of a painting, much like the small ones she had seen. Pointing at it, he murmured, “This was my first one that sold.” He moved down the wall, then pointed at another framed picture, “And this was the second…”. Finally, he moved to the last. It was different. Still predominantly dark, but this bright center that seemed to be radiating from the undetailed profile of a figure, a woman. With red hair. “This was my latest. Henry got it a week ago or so. He called me minutes after he got it demanding to know who the woman was. I… didn’t tell him. But…,” he paused for a long moment, then breathed “I started another one.”

Walking over to the massive canvas that took up nearly the entire wall, he reached up and breathed slowly, before yanking the sheet down off of it. Centered in the painting was that same woman, the one with the red hair. This time, there was no dark in the picture, only whites and outlines and yellows and oranges. Splayed out behind the profile that was wearing a long flowing robe to obscure the features, were massive, white feathered wings. The hair was styled exactly like Kayleigh typically did. Up in the back with a couple of longer clusters hanging down that were tied in a bundle, one behind each ear.

“It’s beautiful,” Kayleigh breathed, then turned to look up at him. She bit her lip, then carefully stepped in and hugged him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

“Yes, you are,” he murmured softly, looking up at it.

She bit her lip, looking up at him, her eyes soft and filled with both hope and timidity, “Do you… Do you want me to call you, Master?” She paused, “What do you want? What do you desire? What do you need?”

“Kayleigh… I haven’t been Sir or Master since Beth died, a little over three years ago. And I’m worried that if… if I still love her, it will upset you. But I can’t shut that off. I’ve tried to bury it with work. I’ve tried to pour it out onto the canvas, but it’s still there,” he took a ragged breath before continuing. “But talking to Michael and Annabelle today… They made me realize that maybe it was OK to try and live again. I want to try and live… and… I think I’d like to try to do so… with you.” He paused again. “Do… you want to call me Master? Is that the lens you want to look at this through?”

“Yes,” she stated. “I’m not going to be upset with you for still loving her. I expect you to keep loving her. I don’t want to take her place in your heart, I just… I’d like a space for me too.” Kayleigh said, her voice was soft, “Yes, I want you to be my Master… but only if that’s something you want too.”

Bryan looked into her eyes for long moments, searching, before he nodded. “It’s been three years, and part of me, that part of me, is empty. Aching. I need it back. I thought…,” he pondered how to explain, “I thought just having Cherry would be enough. And she’s wonderful. She’s…,” he trailed off. “But it’s not enough. It doesn’t make the empty go away. The closest I’ve come to that is… when you put your arms around me.” He paused, then said in a soft, trembling voice, “I’m… a little broken.”

Kayleigh smiled softly up at him, then tightened her arms around him. “Kintsugi, Master,” she said, noting the kiln and referencing the Japanese artistic technique. “Still good,” She added before lifting up slightly and brushing her lips across his cheek, then his lips gently. “I’ve got you, I’ll never let you fall.”

His arms slowly slid around her and pulled her tightly into him. “My Angel…,” he breathed thickly.

“Yours, Master,” Kayleigh offered softly, “Forever yours.” She snuggled into him, tucking her face into his chest.

He led her back out of the studio, shutting off the light and closing the door, before pulling her down into his lap on the couch and wrapping her in his arms. “Tell me your dreams, my slave. Your desires. Your fantasies. Tell me what I need to know about you.”

She leaned into his chest, happily cuddled into his lap, “My dream has always been to have a family, to be able to teach and care for them. A Master that would love me and let me love him.” She paused, “My desires are to be cherished and treasured… I desire someone that will pull me into them and hold me because they need it, to know they can depend on me to always serve and care for them.” She bit her lip, and looked up at him. “My fantasies are a bit more…,” she trailed off. “Primal… more… desperation. I want to be the one that fills the ache, the need, the craving my Master has to claim and fill and breed. For him to know that he can trust me to always make our house a home. And that when he needs, I will be there to give, enthusiastically, whatever and whenever he needs.”

Bryan nodded slowly as he took that in. “My bent lies in that direction. I want my slave to understand that her body’s purpose is for me, to pleasure me, and to need that as desperately as a drowning victim needs air – that they would literally do anything, anything at all, to have that need satisfied.” He paused again, then asked, “And… if I told you that I think I would like to give you all of that… would you… Would you want to stay? Would you want to be Cherry’s bonus mom? My… bonus wife?”

“Yes Master, I would want to stay, be Cherry’s bonus mom, your bonus wife,” Kayleigh said simply, looking up at him with soft warm eyes. “I love you, Bryan. I offer myself as your slave and wish you to be my Master.”

His eyes softened, and he looked so very vulnerable in that moment, an interesting contrast with how big he was. “I love you, Kayleigh. I accept your offer. I will be your Master. I will take you as my bonus wife,” he said solemnly. Leaning down, he slowly pressed his lips to hers.

She sighed in pleasure and melted into the kiss. Her hand came up to cup the back of his head tenderly. Her other hand curled into the shirt over his heart to press to him. Her tongue came out to flick lightly over his lips in a teasing gesture.

He slowly opened his mouth and extended his own tongue to softly caress hers, pulling back gently to coax it into his mouth. His arms tightened around her and he groaned in pleasure at the feel and taste of her. Finally, releasing her lips, he took several slow, deep breaths before he murmured, “I’ve needed that…”

“Me too, Master,” she breathed, gazing into his eyes in wonder. “Felt like home.” She stroked her hand up and down his chest, “Where would you like us to go from here, Master?”

He looked at her intently, “Well… as much as I’d like to take you to my bed right now, I think with Cherry crawling into bed with you sometimes, we need to have a conversation with her tomorrow first and get the lay of the land. But I would definitely like to cuddle with you for longer. And maybe… feel around your body a bit. Discover my property?”

“Yes, Master,” Kayleigh responded, “You should discover your property.” She grinned into his eyes as she shifted to straddle his lap, then moved forward to whisper into his ear, “You should know, I shave… everywhere.” She sucked his earlobe into her mouth, lightly nibbling on it, “And that I have an oral fixation and look forward to worshiping you, Master.”

Bryan groaned softly and his arms tightened around her. “Is that right? I like the sound of that, my slave… I like the sound of that a lot.” One hand slid slowly around to her front and hooked up underneath her shirt. Trailing softly across her abdomen, it reached up until he was cupping her breast, his massive hand taking it in his palm and squeezing firmly. “So sexy, my Kayleigh…”

She whined softly, arching her back to press her breast into his hand even more, her fingers tightening on the back of his head in the sudden rush of need and desire, “Yours, Master.” She licked her lips, and looked up at him through her lashes, “How does Master feel about spankings and bondage?” Her hand slipped under his shirt to lightly scratch her nails across his stomach, then up his chest before dragging down slowly, rubbing her hand across his skin.

He growled softly, his eyes darkening in desire. “I think that I have a box or three up in the top of my closet that I now have a reason to get down again,” he murmured. “Does my red-haired angel like the idea of pain with her pleasure? Being marked with teeth, lips, hand, flogger, and paddle? Ropes around her body for her to struggle against?”

“Yes, Master.” Kayleigh’s voice was almost breathless in her need. She pressed her lips to the side of his temple then murmured in his ear, “Of course, you should know that my favorite fantasy is kneeling over my Master while he uses his fingers on his pussy and ass while I’m deep throating him. Then occasionally spanking me to make his cock thrust deeper inside.”

He growled again. “Like the idea of being filled in three holes at the same time…?” he rumbled. “Such a beautiful, dirty, little slutty angel…,” he murmured as his head dipped to her neck, mouth opening wide as he grazed his teeth over the soft skin he found there.

She groaned her pleasure, clutching at the back of his head and pressed her neck to his mouth eagerly, “All for you, Master. Naughty little slut, just for you.”

“Like that idea, my Kayleigh? Are you going to help me show my daughter what it looks like when two people love each other in a committed relationship? Teach her that physical pleasure like that is normal and to be celebrated?” He murmured, “Explain about the marks that will be on your neck? Or how you enjoy when I spank you when she sees me do it in the kitchen?”

“If it pleases Master I will be happy to fulfil his every desire,” Kayleigh said, her eyes on his with warmth, pleasure and love. “I am yours, Master.”

He reached up with another hand and gently pet her hair, “Good girl…,” he murmured softly.

She sighed in pleasure, melting against him. “I like that, I like it alot, Master,” she murmured as she pressed soft kisses into his neck, licking lightly and working her way back up to capture his earlobe again.

“This… is really happening. I’m not just dreaming this? I’m really going to have a second chance?” he asked softly.

Her nose wrinkled, “I love you, Master.” She tucked her head into his shoulder, “You’re not dreaming. I’ve got you.”

He bent and licked at her earlobe and bit with his teeth, tugging. “Mine…,” he rumbled.

“Yours,” she agreed breathlessly. Her fingers dug into the back of his head gently as she pressed up towards him.

“God, I want you so bad, Kayleigh…,” he muttered, clutching at her back. “You have no idea…”

She pressed closer to him, stroking her fingers up and over his shoulder, “I want you too, Master.” She bit her lip, looking at him, “Should I get off your lap, Master?”

“What’s in your head?” he asked curiously.

“That I want to make love to you badly, but I’m trying very hard to be a good girl for you,” Kayleigh answered honestly. “I’m wondering what went through your mind when you saw this…” she reached up to run her thumb over the collar around her neck.

“Honestly? Relief. One of the things I talked about with Michael was how to go about introducing you to the way of life I wanted to lead. Seeing that on you, knowing what I did about him and Annabelle? It took that worry away. At that point, all that was left was to find out if…,” he trailed off. “If you could ever want me that way.”

“And now?” she tilted her head, “Now that you know that I do want you that way, what are you thinking?”

“Wondering how one man could ever be so blessed in this life,” he murmured, reaching up to brush his fingers over the collar.

“Yours, Master,” Kayleigh repeated softly, then leaned in to brush her lips gently over his. Her tongue licked at his lips to taste him once more with a soft whimper of pleasure and need.

He took a ragged breath. “Tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, we will talk to Cherry. After that, you will move your things into my room. Tomorrow evening, after she goes to bed…,” he trailed off, looking at her with dark, hungry eyes.

“Anything you desire, Master I will happily grant,” she stated, her lips quirking slightly in a playful, impish smile. When he released her she rose to her feet, leaning in to kiss him again, “See you in the morning, Master?”

He kissed her passionately and without comment reached around and smacked her ass, hard, gripping it firmly afterward. When he released her lips, he growled, “MINE.”

She whimpered, shuddering as her eyes lidded with desire, “Yours, Master.” She stepped back slowly, pouting at him. Then before she left the living room, she hooked her fingers under her shirt and pulled it and her bra up to bare her breasts, bouncing them in front of him before dropping her shirt and taking off to her room with a mischievous giggle.

“I love you, Kayleigh,” He murmured as he watched her go. “Thank you…”

++++++++++

Kayleigh rolled out of bed at six-thirty the next morning despite the late night before. She brushed her hair and pulled it up before pulling on a tiny thong and a dress. Then, padding out to the kitchen, she started making waffles and grilling sausage for breakfast, singing to herself quietly. When it was ready, she headed for Cherry’s room to wake her up for breakfast. Then knocked on Bryan’s bedroom door, “Breakfast is ready, Master.”

Bryan opened it almost immediately, already dressed. “Hi,” he breathed, reaching out to brush his fingers over the collar on her neck.

Kayleigh smiled up at him, pressing towards him briefly, “Good morning, Master. Breakfast is ready. Cherry is already in the dining room.”

He glanced down the hallway, before murmuring, “Good.” Reaching down slightly, he hooked his finger in the collar and tugged her forward, meeting her lips with his. When he released her, he did so with a low, rumbling growl of, “Mine.”

Kayleigh whimpered, licking her lips, “Yours, Master.” She smiled up at him, reaching up to stroke her fingers tenderly over his face, then turned to walk towards the kitchen, flipping the back of her skirt up briefly to tease him with the sight of her nearly bare ass.

She heard the growl again as they walked, and he managed to allow his face to slip into a smile as he saw Cherry. “Hey, munchkin. How did you sleep?” he asked, mussing the hair at the top of her head, then kissing it.

Cherry beamed up at him, “I had a good dream Daddy.” She slipped down from the chair and hugged his leg. “I dreamed you were kissing Kay and Mommy was smiling at us from heaven.”

He dropped down on one knee, hugging her tightly. “That is a good dream. What if it weren’t a dream, though? How would that make you feel?”

Cherry pondered that for a moment, then looked up at Kay, “Would you want to be my mommy?”

Kayleigh knelt down beside her as well, “I would love to be Mommy Kay to you.” She kissed Cherry on the forehead, “I don’t want to replace your Mommy, but I would like to be Mommy number two.”

Cherry squealed, and hugged Kayleigh tugging her and her father together. “OK, but I get to be the flower girl,” she stated seriously, “And my dress has to be pink.”

“More pink?” Bryan groaned with a twinkle in his eyes as he looked at Kayleigh.

Cherry nodded seriously, “And Jane is going to be my partner flower girl, she likes purple.”

“Very well,” he murmured softly. Looking at Kayleigh, he smiled a warm, gentle smile. “I think that’s a ‘yes’,” he told her.

Kayleigh giggled. “Well considering your daughter just proposed for you…,” she laughed as Cherry giggled and leaned into Kayleigh, both of them looking at Bryan with twin masks of mischief.

He reached up, cupping the back of her head, and murmured, “Get over here…,” tugging and dragging her lips to his for a deep kiss.

Kayleigh sighed in pleasure, melting into the kiss, then Cherry laughed and clapped her hands, “Yay, I’ve got a Mommy two! I’m going to tell Jane!” She turned and grabbed a waffle, stuffing it into her mouth before running off to call Jane.

Kayleigh smiled into his eyes, “Well, Master… shall we have breakfast then move my things to your room? Do you have space for it?”

“I made space after you went to bed last night,” he replied, trying to temper his eagerness.

“Yes, Master,” she rose to her feet again, rubbing against him and taking advantage to press her breasts against his face teasingly before turning towards the table, “I made bacon waffles and sausage.”

“Such a good little slave. It smells wonderful…,” he murmured in appreciation as he stepped up behind her and spanked her firmly before gripping her bottom with a squeeze. “My good girl.”

She whimpered and bit her lip, arching her ass to his hand. “Your good girl, Master.”

The pair sat down and ate. Reaching his left hand across the table, he held hers, stroking his thumb over it, a gentle, soft expression on his face. “I love you, Kayleigh. I loved you for the way you were with Cherry. I loved you for the help you’ve been for us. But I love you for who you are and the way that you complete me.”

“I love you, Master.” Kayleigh murmured in response, staring into his eyes with such warmth and love. The rest of the breakfast was eaten, and Kayleigh went to gather the bulk of her things into a suitcase to limit the number of trips to his room. At his direction, she left the top dresser drawer empty, though her brow furrowed at that in curiosity. She put things away in the dressers and hung her things up in his closet. Cherry was set up in the living room to watch a movie while Kayleigh was doing the changes.

Bryan then closed the door, locking it, and walked into the closet, pulling out a stack of three small cardboard boxes and laying them on the bed. He opened the first and began pulling out all manner of restraints, slowly putting them in the top drawer that had been empty. He broke down that box, then opened the second, pulling out a collection of several paddles, some wooden, some leather, and even swinging them in the air a couple of times as if getting a feel for them again, before placing them in the drawer. He broke down that box as well, and then opened the third. Pulling out a very nice looking collection of leather floggers. He put away all but one, then broke down that box and set the three of them near the door to be taken out.

“Come over here, my Kayleigh,” he murmured softly, with a smile as he picked the flogger up off the bed.

“Yes, Master,” she walked over towards him, looking up at him and biting her lip at the sight of the flogger in his hands, a flare of desire in her eyes. “Your good girl, Master.”

“Stand at the foot of the bed and bend over,” he said firmly.

She went to the foot of the bed and bent over it, placing her hands on the blanket and looking up at him over one shoulder, “Like this, Master?”

“Just like that,” he murmured, walking up behind her and flipping the bottom of her dress up over her ass. His hand reached down and caressed her cheek, before sliding more toward the middle and grazing his fingers across her pussy, grinning tightly at the sharp gasp. Releasing her, he switched and put the flogger in that hand, raising it and bringing it down sharply on her cheek, a soft grunt at the satisfying smack that echoed in the room.

She yelped quietly, arching at the sting and shivered. A low groan escaped and she dropped her head slightly spreading her legs wider, “Yours, Master. Thank you, Master.”

“Good girl,” he murmured softly, before raising his hand and bringing the flogger down across her other cheek, another smack echoing in the room. “Such a good girl… So obedient. So beautiful. The perfect slave… My perfect angel.”

“Yours, Master,” she whined, arching to the flogger again with a low whimpering moan. “Thank you, Master. So good, feels so good, Master. Yours to have.”

He smacked her once more on each cheek, before switching hands once more and putting his fingers back in between her legs. Her pussy was now soaked and he growled in desire. “That’s mine…,” he murmured.

A pleading moan escaped as she arched towards his fingers, “Yes, Master. That’s yours, for you. Belongs to you, Master, for you to have, claim and take.”

“Tonight, my slave. Stand,” he commanded. As she did, he murmured, “However, just so that you understand…” He stepped close and took her hand, guiding it down his pajama pants to his aching cock. “This… is your responsibility, slave. It is like this because of you.”

She stroked her hand up and down it slowly, rubbing it teasingly with her fingers, “Yes, Master. It’s all my fault…,” she tilted her head, an impish grin to her lips as she sank to her knees and nuzzled into it, blowing hot air over it, “Would Master like me to kiss it better?”