Broadway Baby (22 page)

“Nope. At least not tonight,” Shelby brought Lily into a one armed hug. “It’s time we get started, baby. No more stalling.”

“You picked up on that, huh?”

“I did,” Shelby moved back on the bed and helped Lily to stand. “It’s time, baby.”

Pulling Lily to her left side Shelby gently pulled down her yoga pants and panties. Taking a deep breath as Lily’s eyes began to tear, Shelby was nearly knocked over when Lily threw herself at Shelby. “Please not the paddle.”

Pulling Lily from around her neck Shelby sat the brunette on her leg. “You are going to be spanked, Lily. How you are spanked is up to me. I am sorry that you’re so upset about this spanking but it is going to happen. I love you too much not to give you this, Lily.”

Lily nodded into Shelby’s shoulder, “Okay.”

Standing Lily up once more Shelby maneuvered her over her lap allowing the bed to support Lily’s upper body. Her bare bottom was in the perfect position and Shelby wasted no time in bringing her hand down at a slow and steady pace on Lily’s pale globes.

Shelby stopped the warm up when Lily’s bottom was a rather deep shade of pink. Lily’s cries increased when she felt the leather paddle being rubbed on her bottom. “I’m going to paddle you now, Lily. I want you to remember that by breaking the rules we’ve established in our relationship, you don’t only let me down, but you let us down.” With that Shelby raised her hand and began to bring the paddle down at the same rate she had been using with her hand.

Watching Lily’s bottom continue to color, Shelby made sure that none of the swats with the paddle were too hard. She wanted a slow fire to build and really didn’t want to leave bruising. Realizing that this was something she never had to worry about when spanking little Lily, Shelby’s heart sank when the figure over her lap began to cry for Mama.

“Mama, please stop. I’ll be good. Please Mama, please. I’m sorry, I’ll never do it again.”

As Lily went completely limp over Shelby’s lap the older woman gave a final stinging swat to each sit spot before ending the paddling. Her baby needed Mama and she wasn’t going to let her down. “It’s all over, Lily. All done,” Shelby spoke quietly pulling Lily onto her lap allowing Lily to sit more on her hip to avoid her sore bottom.

Lily nodded and continued to cry. Slowing her tears Lily shuddered and looked up into Shelby’s face. “Mama,” Lily’s voice was quiet. “Shelby spanks really hard.”

“She does, huh?”

Lily nodded, “I understand why she does it but I don’t like Shelby spankings at all.” Wrapping her arms tightly around Shelby, Lily began to cry once more when Shelby stood and carried her the few feet into her bathroom.

“Let’s get your face cleaned up, baby, and then we can go snuggle in bed.”

“Can I have Albie, Mama?”

“Of course, baby,” Shelby replied gently washing Lily’s face with a soft washcloth as Lily stood in front of the bathroom sink still sniffling. Finishing with Lily’s face Shelby helped her back to the bedroom and placed her in the bed. “I’ll go get some pajamas and Albie for you.”

“Okay Mama.” Lily lay on her tummy on the bed and didn’t have to wait long for Mama to return with her favorite pair of pajamas, Albie, and her pink piggy.

Shelby made quick work of undressing Lily, and then redressing her in her pajamas. Pulling the covers back on her bed, she allowed Lily to climb in first, and then climbed in next to her. Making sure that Lily had Albie tucked under her arm while the pink pig rested next to her, Shelby laid on her back and Lily moved so that her head was on Shelby’s chest.

“I love you, Lily.”

“I love you too, Mama.” Lily yawned relaxing as Shelby’s long fingers brushed through her hair accompanied by the humming of one of her favorite songs.

Chapter Ten

Lily grinned as she and Shelby gave their order at the food place in the park. It had some of the best shakes, burgers, hot dogs, and fries in the city and Lily couldn’t believe her luck that Mama had said they could eat there as long as they didn’t order milkshakes due to the show that night.

Receiving their order Lily followed Shelby to a free table. Sitting down, Lily began to sit on her knees when Shelby shook her head, “Sit on your bottom, Lily.”

Frowning, Lily did as asked shifting in her discomfort but smiling again when Shelby placed her food in front of her. “This looks great, Mama.”

“I think so,” Shelby agreed. “This place has some of the best burgers around here and I love that it’s in the park.”

Lily nodded, “A burger is a nice change from a hot dog. Can we get a milkshake from here soon?”

“Someday,” Shelby allowed. “Since we don’t have shows on Monday, we can pick one up after Sunday’s show.”

“Yes!” Lily tucked her foot under her bottom as she continued to eat. “That’s great. I love the milkshake with the caramel, toffee, and chocolate pieces. Which one is your favorite?”

Shelby leaned forward on the table pretending to be in deep thought. “Well that depends on my mood. Most days I want the one with coffee in it,” she leaned forward even more and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Other days I have to make my own and add every chocolate item they have on the shake menu.”

Giggling, Lily dipped her fry into the ketchup in her basket. “I want to try that one, Mama. It sounds yummy.”

“It is, baby,” Shelby agreed sitting up once more.

They ate in silence for a few moments before Lily shifted again. “Can I please sit on my knees, Mama?”

Shelby shook her head once more, “Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Because we are not at home. You sit properly when we’re at a restaurant.” Shelby’s voice left no voice for argument and Lily sighed in defeat.

“Alright, but I am not happy about that.”

“Duly noted.”

Lily scrunched her face as Shelby smirked. Finishing up her lunch Lily began to look around the park with interest. Smiling Lily nodded toward the swings. They were her favorite thing to do at the park and right now they were absolutely free.

“Ready to go play?” Shelby asked.

Nodding happily, Lily put her empty basket on the tray and finished the last of her tea before adding the cup to the tray. “Let’s go, Mama, before all the swings are taken.”

“Let me empty this and then we’ll walk over there.” Shelby quickly made work of getting rid of the tray and she then followed a happily skipping Lily toward the swings.

Reaching the swings, Lily sat down and promptly stood back up frowning when she noted Shelby’s laughter. Deciding to improvise she sat on the swings so her thighs were supporting her rather than her bottom. She was just small enough to pull it off without too much discomfort and stuck her tongue out at Shelby briefly in jest as she began to fly on the swings.

Taking note that there were very few children on the playground and most of them were toddlers on the play structure Lily decided to see if Shelby was paying attention to her swinging. At just the right moment she jumped from the swing and landed perfectly holding her arms up like a gymnast sticking a landing.

“Lily!” Shelby’s shout made a few heads turn as Shelby immediately moved to Lily’s side. “What were you thinking?”

“Did you see me, Mama? Did you? I jumped and landed perfectly. Aren’t you impressed?” Lily made to get back on the swings but was stopped by a hand grabbing her arm.

“You are done with the swings, Lily Anne.”

“Why?” The whine made Shelby cringe and bent to talk softly to Lily.

“Because I do not want you leaving the park today with a broken ankle or something worse.”

“What’s worse than a broken ankle, Mama?” Lily asked. “You mean if I had two broken ankles, or a broken ankle and a broken arm?”

Standing upright Shelby pinched the bridge of her nose before responding. “Yes, Lily, that’s exactly what I mean.”

Taking Lily by the hands Shelby began to lead her from the park. “Do we have to leave already?”

“We do,” Shelby pulled Lily into a side armed hug. “We’ll come back another day, baby.”

Nodding, Lily began to walk with Shelby through the park. Stopping at the fountain, Lily fished a coin from her pocket and threw it in making a wish. “What did you wish for, baby?”

“I can’t tell you or it won’t come true,” Lily teased once more grabbing Shelby’s hand and allowing herself to be led home.

* * *

The walk home hadn’t taken long and Shelby, as usual, had to call Lily back to the door to put the shoes away. Grumbling, Lily complied before Shelby nodded her approval, and allowed Lily to head to her room to play. They still had a while before they had to leave for the show, and Shelby was looking forward to the down time.

Putting her own things away, Shelby moved to the living area and decided to watch some TV while Lily played. Turning on the machine she flipped for a while before stopping and sitting straight up. Leaning forward she turned the volume up more and listened to the woman on the screen. Taking a deep breath Shelby calmed down and listened to the brief news story on the TV before turning it off and standing up.

Heading to Lily’s room, Shelby stood at the doorjamb, “Knock, knock. May I come in, Lily?”

Lily turned from her place on the floor and nodded, “Sure you can, Mama. I’m just playing audition with my dolls.”

“That sounds like fun.” Shelby moved into the room and sat down on the colorful area rug with Lily accepting the doll the girl gave her with a smile. “Lily, I need to tell you something.”

“What?” Accepting the doll Lily offered, Shelby watched as Lily continued to play with her dolls.

“Lily please put your dolls down and look at me.”

Stopping her play, Lily turned toward Shelby.

Putting her doll in her lap, Shelby reached out for Lily and held her hands in her own. “I just saw something on the TV that I need to tell you about. I want you to listen to me before saying anything, alright?”

Lily nodded slowly.

“There was a brief news report about Cora’s arrest for blackmail. Not many details were given other than charges have been filed and she will be in court for arraignment tomorrow.”

“What does that mean?” Lily asked.

“That means that bail will be set or denied in court tomorrow and her trial date will be set unless she pleads guilty or is offered some type of agreement with the prosecutor.”

“Do you think the reporters will want to talk to big Lily at the theater tonight?”

“I think that’s a possibility,” Shelby acknowledged. “However, big Lily doesn’t have to talk to anyone. We can just walk in and ignore them. I doubt that there will be much attention given to it actually. Your name was only mentioned briefly in the story along with the name of the show.”

Lily nodded once more and sighed. “Okay Mama. Thanks for telling me.” Moving back to her dolls Lily slowly put them away while Shelby watched. “I don’t feel like playing now, could we just sit and rock instead?”

“Of course, baby.” Shelby stood up and moved to the rocking chair. She didn’t have to wait long for Lily to join her with Albie in hand. Sitting on Shelby’s lap Lily curled into her and Shelby began to rock the chair with her toes allowing the soothing motion to calm both of them.

* * *

Placing the now napping Lily into her bed, Shelby moved quietly from Lily’s bedroom and went back to the living area. It was time to make a few phone calls regarding the situation with Cora. Just as she was about to dial her phone rang and noting the name on the caller ID Shelby smiled, “Lou, I was just about to call you. Yes, I saw it and I told Lily. She’s alright for now. How crazy do you think it’s going to be?”

Listening carefully Shelby nodded into the phone, “Yes, I understand. Okay, we’ll be sure to come in the back alley through the theater next door. I’m not sure if she’ll want to go on, but I don’t think she’s going to let this stop her from performing. Thanks Lou, bye.”

Ending the call Shelby leaned back on the couch and sighed in relief. One problem conquered. Leave it to Lou to have security already doubled, John on high alert, and the cast from the show in the neighboring theater willing to share their entrance and exit into the shared alley space between theaters. Now that they their entrance and exit were covered, Shelby knew Lily would need to contact her publicist to make sure there would be an official statement released soon.

* * *

“Shelby, Lily, nice to see you.”

“Thanks Mark,” Shelby smiled at the tall red-head who she had worked with years ago. “Sorry to be cutting through your house tonight but we didn’t have much of a choice.”

The man nodded, “Yeah, the vultures are buzzing for sure.” Turning to Lily he smiled. “Sorry about your mom, Lily. I’m sure it will pass soon.”

“I hope so,” Lily frowned. “I don’t think I can handle trying to avoid the vultures forever.”

“You never know,” Mark laughed as he walked with them through the guts of the theater toward the alley exit. “You might be able to avoid them until the next news story comes along. After all that revival down the street opens in two days and I’m not sure the movie star they’ve picked has been out of rehab long enough.”

Giggling, Lily nodded, “True. We could always send him a welcome basket full of…”

“Lily!” Shelby swatted Lily on the arm. “We are not going to do that,” she winked. “Unless we really have to,” she finished as Mark and Lily laughed with her going up the stairs toward the exit door that led to the alley.

“You ladies take care and we’ll see you later,” Mark waved as Lily and Shelby pushed the door open and headed into the alleyway. Quickly walking toward the door of their theater the women slipped inside to find John waiting for them.

“It’s about time you got here,” John greeted as he smiled at them. “Lou wants to see you in his office before you head to your dressing rooms.”

“Oh joy,” Lily muttered only to be hushed by Shelby.

John chuckled and eyed Lily, “You know we could always let the feeding frenzy happen…”

“No you couldn’t,” Lily stuck her tongue out at the man in jest. “You’re too much of a control freak to let anyone like that too close to your theater.”