“How are you doing?” he asks softly.

I chuckle sardonically. “Everything they say is true. This Little girl is so feisty I didn’t think I’d ever get her to calm down, take a bottle, and sleep.” This is an understatement, but I don’t want to go into details.

“I’ve seen it in every male I’ve spoken to for two years, my friend.” Surgient would know. He’s been the intake doctor on the mothership for those two years. He’s examined every Little girl before she was put into stasis to leave for Eleadia.

“I promised Ava I would send someone to her apartment to get some things,” I tell him.

“I promised Mia the same. Have you lined someone up?”

“Yes. John from the front desk. He says he does this often. I texted him a list. I’ll share his contact information with you. He’ll get both of their things and deal with the manager of their building tomorrow, too.”

“Excellent. Thank you.”

“It’s going to be a very long trip home,” I say as I run a hand through my hair.

“Yes. Eternal.”

“I think Ava is at least slightly mollified by the knowledge that her best friend was also chosen tonight. What were the chances?”

“It’s rare. I’ve heard of friends both getting selected before, but not on the same night,” Surgient says.

I sigh. I’m almost as exhausted as Ava. “I guess I’ll see you in six months and a few weeks.”

“Yep. The girls will be chomping at the bit to get together.”

“Let’s hope. If Ava hasn’t stabbed me in my sleep.” I try to laugh, but it’s not filled with humor.

As I set the phone down, I turn back toward the bedroom.

Ava is right where I left her. She looks so peaceful in slumber. She’s completely relaxed for the first time since I met her. The formula helped. It has calming properties.

I don’t move. I can’t. I need to watch her. Her sweet little legs are spread wide to comfortably accommodate her diaper. Her arms are resting bent and near her head in a very open submissive position. I wonder if she normally sleeps so open and peacefully. Her hair is wild and gorgeous, forming a halo around her head. She’s rhythmically sucking the pacifier as if she does so every day, which I know for certain is not the case. I bet this feisty girl stopped using a soothing aid when she was about one.

The best part is that the blanket has slid down her body just enough that her nipples are exposed. She has the most perfect nipples I’ve ever seen. I’m going to enjoy worshiping them, and my cock stiffens at the thought of having them pierced.

There are so many more hurdles to overcome. I’m concerned my Little girl is not going to transition quickly. I know she will eventually, but it’s not going to happen overnight. She’s particularly angry about having what she thinks of as her freewill taken from her.

What she doesn’t understand yet is that neither of us really exercises freewill. She’s just mine, and I’m hers. She’s battling her instincts, but they aren’t natural instincts. They’re learned. When she realizes that and follows her heart, she’ll see that submitting to me is far more natural and comfortable than fighting with me in a battle of wills.

I have to give her time. She’ll come around eventually. Every Little girl does.

Chapter Nine

Ava

I’m jolted awake, though I’m not sure what woke me. All I know is that suddenly my eyes are wide, my heart is racing, and I’m so very confused.

I blink several times as I realize I’m in someone’s arms.

Ganrax… Papi… It wasn’t a dream. It’s true.

My first thought is shocking. Relief. I’m so glad it’s true. I was chosen by a man who treats me like spun gold. In my dream, he smiled at me the entire time.

“Hey, Baby girl,” he says as he cups the back of my head and rocks me closer to him. He’s walking. “You slept so long. You even slept through the trip to the starship in the pod. Do you feel better?”

I glance around. We’re definitely not in his apartment anymore. We’re moving down a hallway. It’s sterile, silver, and shiny. I can hear other footsteps. We’re not alone.

Papi is bouncing me slightly like the Baby he thinks I am. He’s patting my diaper-covered bottom, which makes me cringe. When I decide to speak, I realize something is in my mouth. I try to spit it out, but Papi stops me.

He sets his fingers over the object, keeping it in place. “Let the paci soothe you, Little one. Your heart rate picked up. Try to relax for a few minutes. He tucks a blanket around me. It’s the softest thing I’ve ever felt. I think the material is the same around my bottom.

I let him keep me pinned to his chest because he’s so warm, and plus I know if I squirm free, everyone around will see my breasts. He guides my head gently against his pecs, holding it there, which prevents me from seeing much, keeps the pacifier plugged in my mouth, and also calms me in the most frustrating way.

Papi pauses, opens a door, and steps into another room.

I hear the sound of a chair scraping across the floor and then someone speaks. “Ganrax. So good to see you.”

Papi’s hand disappears from my back for a moment. I imagine he’s shaking someone’s hand.

“This must be Ava.”

“It is. She just woke up from a nap. She’s still groggy.”

“That’s okay. As long as you have her information, we can start the intake process. I’m Jefared, Little one. It’s nice to meet you.”

I press my face more fully against Papi, pouting.

“I know it’s a lot to take in at first, Ava. Don’t you worry. Your Papi will take good care of you. Do you have her ID?”

Papi leans forward, which makes my heart race faster. He’s so big I can’t really wrap my arm around him to hold on. I’m more like a bundle in his arms. I have my top arm bent to cover the side of my breast in case the blanket falls, but my chest is flat against his.

His huge hand presses against my back, keeping me plastered against him. His lips come to my ear. “I’ve got you, Baby girl. I’ll never let you fall.” He rubs my back while he whispers, “Shhh. You’re okay. I’m just reaching into my bag to get your ID.”

I whimper and suck harder on the pacifier. I can’t stop myself. It’s addictive. I don’t even know who I am.

“Here you go,” he says, leaning forward again.

I assume he handed my ID to the other man. I think we’re sitting across from a desk. It’s surreal. I squeeze my eyes closed, unwilling to look.

I hear typing before Jefared speaks again. “John retrieved some of her things from her apartment, correct?”

“Yes. He’ll deal with the landlord tomorrow.”

“I heard. Surgient already checked in with Mia. I bet the two girls are so pleased to know they were both selected.”

Surgient must be Mia’s Papi.

I grunt. I’m not pleased about much of anything. Not in my head anyway. My body is currently pleased. It’s maddening, but the feel of Papi against me is so pleasant, like sunshine on a warm summer day.