Moving a Little Heart (22 page)

"If you think we will hold back because he is watching, you're wrong," Jake warned her.

She looked up at him. "I trust you."

"Go to the office and get the school paddle."

Baylor nodded and left, her stomach rising in her chest. Well, a little pain and humiliation was worth gaining trust back on both sides. She lifted the heavy implement from the closet and turned it in her hands. She had to trust. Simple.

Hayden had brought a chair in from the dining room and placed it in the middle of the floor. Baylor kept her face to the ground as she approached it and began to lift her dress.

"No." Jake stopped her. "Just lean over. That little dress isn't going to offer any protection, and I don't want you baring yourself in front of our dad."

"Thank you," she whispered gratefully. She placed her hands on the edge of the seat and arched her bottom in the air as directed by Hayden.

"Two from each of us, sweetheart."

"No," she said.

"What?"

"I want your dad to do it." There was a catch in her voice.

"Me? Why me?" Mr. Paterson asked, amazed.

"Because you don't have the feelings for me that they do. You aren't going to hold back because you feel sorry for me. Please."

"Boys?"

"She's right," Jake said, looking at his nodding brother. "Neither of us really have the heart for this right now. Bay? I hope you realize what you are asking. I've been smacked by his paddle before. It set me to tears. His arm is stronger than mine will ever be."

"I do realize it. I am asking this because I love you," she said.

The first stroke of the paddle against her raised posterior took her breath away. Mr. Paterson solemnly waited until after she'd lowered her toes and taken a couple of breaths before he crashed the second blow against the underside of her curves. This time, Baylor sank to the ground, instantly crying out. He waited again for her to resume her position, pressing on the small of her back to push her bottom back into the air.

"Breathe, child. Two more," he said softly. The third clap was met with a loud cry, and Baylor once again folded to the ground. This time, she grabbed her tortured backside.

"No reaching back. Stand up and take the last one. It will be the hardest," the man said, kissing her temple and helping her back to her feet. Baylor's legs trembled as she rose fearfully, ducking every time she sensed the paddle pulling back. But he was patient, and stood still until she stopped the twitching. The final blow turned her into a sobbing puddle as she sank into a tight curl onto the floor, still hanging onto the chair's edge. Mr. Paterson took her hand in his, pulled her to her feet, and walked her to the corner of the room.

"Stay there and remember that this was because you are much loved. When you are ready, come to me. No rubbing."

Baylor was grateful for the time to catch her breath, and accepted the tissues handed to her.

The shocking burn began to subside after a few minutes, along with her tiny hiccups and sniffles. She turned around and looked at the three men on the couch, all looking miserable as they stared at her. She bit her lip and looked at Jake on the left, Hayden on the right, and then Mr. Paterson between them. Mr. Paterson beckoned to her and reached out his arms. He sat her sideways on his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist, while hers twined around his neck. On either side, Jake and Hayden joined the embrace.

"Welcome to the family, my girl," Mr. Paterson said into her hair before kissing her head. "You did good with this one, boys. You did good."

Baylor sighed happily, closing her eyes. "So did I."

"Did you have a good weekend, Sunshine?" Mr. Paterson asked. They had gotten home late the night before, and Baylor trudged downstairs with her face still 'pillow-mushed' and hair frizzled.

"Aren't you beautiful this morning," Hayden teased, kissing her cheek and handing her a cup of coffee. Mr. Paterson took it away from her and handed it back to his son.

"Give her juice," his father ordered. "Coffee isn't good for her."

"Bite me, both of you," she grumbled, settling down next to Mr. Paterson. "It was magical, Pop. Thank you again… for everything."

He hugged her. "Even the paddling?"

"Especially the paddling. Going on rides with a bruised bottom wasn't very comfortable, but it reminded me of how much I'm loved."

"You didn't even hit the scary ones. But, after those bruises heal up, you will see how much more you're loved, my darling," Jake reminded her sternly.

"I know. And yes, I know I'm getting extra love from you, too," she said to Hayden before he could interject.

"Lots of extra love," Hayden said, patting her thigh. "Come to the table and eat. We need to put some meat back on those bones. You miss out on my cooking for one week, and are already wasting away."

"I'm not hungry."

"What's the penalty for that statement, young lady?" Jake frowned, standing.

Baylor tried to slide behind Mr. Paterson, making him shield her with his arm. "Save me from these meanies."

"You're barking up the wrong tree, chitlins." Mr. Paterson laughed.

"She's hypoglycemic, Dad. When we first got her and found out, she was told to never use that phrase, or else," Jake told his father.

"Hypoglycemic? Like low blood sugar?"

"Yes, sir. And she is hypertensive too," Jake said, hands on his hips.

"I
was
hypertensive! Terry said that resolved when I stopped being so anxious all the time."

"I see." Mr. Paterson tapped his chin. "Well, son, go take care of your 'or else', and then sit her down to eat."

"Pop!" Baylor scowled.

Mr. Paterson shrugged. "You want them to be consistent, right?"

"I'm eating, okay? Damn…"

"I'm still available for that old-fashioned spanking," Mr. Paterson said warningly.

"Nooo, Jake…" she protested, as Jake grabbed her hand.

"Excuse us," Jake said, taking Baylor into the study. He shook his head as he sat on the couch. "You know better. Over."

"But Daddy," Baylor stomped her right foot, "it's not fair."

"Now."

Baylor stomped again and lay over his knees, putting both hands behind her to cover her bottom.

"Thank you," Jake said, pinning them to her back. "I like it when you offer your hands to me to hold."

"I wasn't! Nonononooo!" She began to wiggle as she felt him pull her pajama pants down to her knees.

"Let's see…" Jake placed his hand on her bottom. "Oh good, the paddle marks are already gone, so I get a clean slate. The words 'I'm not hungry' have eleven letters. Let's make this an even twelve, and then clarify. Count for me. Try not to wake up Terry and Matt with your yelling, please."

"Eek! One! Ow! Two! THREE! Four! Slow down—five! Sixseveneightnineteneleven! Not so fast!" Baylor shrieked, kicking and squirming to escape his heavy palm. "TWELVE!"

She panted, her knees bent with her feet trying to block the spanks, and her arms pinned at the base of her spine. Her bottom burned as though she had just sat down on a sidewalk in mid-August, in the hottest part of a summer's day.

"No tears? Should I try a little harder?"

"No, Daddy. I'll eat," Baylor promised, gripping his leg for dear life and praying the spanking was over. She was relieved when he stood her up and pulled her pants back over her bottom.

"That's my good girl. I love you."

"Yeah, me too." Baylor pouted.

Jake kissed her on the nose and then led her back out. Terry and Matt were talking with Mr. Paterson.

"She's back! I thought we heard the beautiful sound of a morning spanking. Thank God!" Matt clapped, holding his arms out for her. "I kept knocking on your door but you didn't answer."

"I missed you, Angel," Terry said, kissing her cheek and hugging her just before Matt yanked her onto his lap. "Did you get my messages?"

"Are you telling me that your roommates tried to hunt her down and you boys didn't?" Mr. Paterson tsked, shaking his head. "Maybe I should take a paddle to both of you after all."

"Very funny, Dad." Jake scowled.

"The truth is that they nagged us constantly to check on her." Matt chuckled. "Not that either of us needed persuading. We missed you. Life here was not the same with you gone. We all felt empty."

"Me, too," Baylor said quietly.

"So, let me guess. The spanking was because you said that you're not hungry. Do I need to check your blood sugar?" Terry asked with a stern expression.

"No, sir. I'm gonna eat right now."

"Darn right you are. March." He pointed to the kitchen bar.

"It's good to see you again, Bob." Matt hugged the man. "You need to come visit more often."

"I was actually thinking about moving into the neighborhood. Someone needs to keep an eye on you boys."

"No, Dad. Not gonna happen," Jake said, shaking his head. "Baylor will constantly be running to you to protect her, and you will eventually give in."

"So you will deny me access to my future daughter-in-law and grandchild? That isn't very nice."

There was silence.

"Grandchild?" Jake choked out. They all looked at Baylor. "What grandchild? You're pregnant?"

She wrinkled her nose and nodded, holding her breath.

"We're going to have a baby?" Jake and Hayden looked at each other, their smiles growing larger by the second. "How did that happen? We thought you were infertile."

"
We
are not having a baby,
I
am going to have a baby. I guess that being deliriously happy is one cure for infertility; plus a failed implant device." She pointed to the tiny scar on her inner arm. "They removed it as soon as they found out I was expecting. You're going to be real daddies, now. I mean, if you want to."

"That was one reason she called me," Mr. Paterson said. as his sons broke into happy tears. "She wanted to make sure that I would be included in the child's life, even if things didn't work out with you two."

"I wanted our baby to have parents who loved it," Baylor said. "And a real grandpa."

"I don't think I've ever been happier in my life!" Jake kissed Baylor and rested his hand on her stomach. "Thank you for this gift."

"You really are an angel." Hayden held her tightly. "How long have you known, and why didn't you tell us?"

"I'm about seven weeks. I suspected it about two weeks before I went to Sector 7."

"You were pregnant with my baby and went climbing mountains!" Jake boomed. "You could have killed yourself and that baby when you fell into that mine shaft, Baylor!"

Hayden joined in. "We could have hurt you when we went to punish you. You should have said something."

"It was confirmed when Terry made me go to the hospital. The doctor checked me out, took out the implant, and gave me a clean bill of health. I told him about our lifestyle in confidence, and he said the baby would be safe and that I had nothing to worry about until the third trimester. I got scared when you were going to punish me. All these thoughts went through my mind like a crazy woman. You know, before I ran off," Baylor admitted.

"We're going to be a real family now," Mr. Paterson said, wiping away his tears with the back of his hand. "I am so proud of all of you. This is going to be one lucky kid, with a lot of love."

Baylor finally felt the weight of the past slip away from her forever as she stood between her two men, who were both excitedly touching her tummy. To give them a baby was the greatest gift that she could offer, and she lifted a silent prayer of thanks for her life; past, present and future.

***

"Are you sure this won't hurt the baby?" Jake asked Terry after announcing his intention to deliver Baylor's strapping 'as promised' when his father had been visiting.

"Positive. Our little bundle is quite safe and padded inside of there. Just no paddles or anything dense, and try to avoid pressure on the bump when she starts to show. Baylor will tell you if she feels unsafe, won't you, Angel?"

"Yes, sir. I saw the doctor again yesterday and he said my blood pressure is stable and that I'm healthy. As long as it's consensual and there is no excessive jarring, we'll be okay. He left it up to us. I did try to convince him to change his mind. He wouldn't." Baylor pouted.

"Is Hayden going with you?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, he's getting some items right now. All right, love, it's time to pay the piper. We're going to your house so we don't disturb the neighborhood."

"We really should think of building an adjoining room between the two places, especially since Terry and I are going to move over there," Matt said.

"You are?" Baylor blinked. "Why?"

"We need room for a nursery, and it's only right for our wife to live in the same house as us. It will keep you from running off and hiding again," Jake said, stroking her hair.

"But my darkroom…"

"It will be available to you at all times. We're just expanding a bit. I'm going to take over the other master suite, and my room will be the nursery. We can set up the crib in there, with lots of extra room."

"Set up two cribs. We're having twins," Terry announced.

"If you had your choice, I'd have a whole litter." Baylor smiled. "I'm sure she will be more than enough for the five of us to handle."

"She? We're going to have a girl?" Jake asked excitedly.

"I don't know yet, but I hope so. We need to even the balance here a little, and give the uncles someone else to play dress up with and spoil," Baylor said.

"Ready?" Hayden asked, bag over his shoulder.

"Baylor said we're having a girl!"

"Of course we are. I ordered it."

"You guys are crazy. Whatever we get, I just want us to be happy," Baylor said, touching her stomach. There was no pooch yet, or the fluttery feeling of movement, but she could 'feel' the new life growing inside her.

"You're certain she's safe?" Hayden asked Terry again. He nodded. "Okay, then let's get to this. We have a long night ahead of us."

"Yes, Daddy," Baylor sighed. She followed them next door and bit her lip as they led her into the large bedroom at the back of her house, watching as Hayden laid out a number of items on the bed, including the cane, a small whip, and a collection of anal plugs.

"Take off your clothes and place your hands on top of your head," Jake ordered, stripping off his shirt. Hayden followed suit, and the two stood before her in blue jeans and boots, arms crossed over their muscular chests, with stern expressions on their faces.

Baylor blushed, slowly obeying. Jake walked around her, studying her body. "Are your breasts sore?" he asked, lifting them in his hands. "They look swollen."

"Yeah. They feel heavy, too. Please could you avoid them?"

"Certainly. Except for kisses, of course," Hayden said, softly licking the tip of her over-sensitive nipple. "I can't believe that we are going to be daddies."

"Me neither." Jake attached his mouth to the other side, suckling tenderly. "I don't want to know whose she is, either."

"She is
ours
," Baylor said, the warmth growing between her legs as the two sets of hands explored her naked body. "That's all that matters."

"Hayden? I want you to marry her," Jake said suddenly.

"Me? But you're the oldest."

"It's your turn, brother." Jake touched Hayden's cheek and smiled. "We fought last time, because I was selfish. You found her."

"Really? You mean it?" Hayden stared at Jake.

"I do."

Hayden hugged his brother in a crushing embrace. "Thank you. That means so much to me."

"Are you okay with that, Bay? His benefits are excellent, you would be an officer's wife, and the military will provide for the baby's college education in the future. I have you named as my domestic partner, too, so you are taken care of from my end."

"I love you," she said to both. "I am marrying
both
of you in name and heart."

"We love you, too. Now, where is my belt? It's time for my love to be re-enforced."

***

"Are you certain that this won't hurt the baby?" Jake asked her, as she was restrained once again over the well-padded sawhorse that they had brought from next door.

"The doctor said I was fine to do anything I was accustomed to doing, including this," Baylor answered. "He just recommended avoiding excessive jarring."