by Pepper North
“This is the last medicine this afternoon, Zoey. It looks like you’re starting to feel sleepy,” Dr. Richards said softly. “You relax as I get everything settled here and I’ll get you back to your room for a long nap. You’ve earned it.” He ran his fingers gently through her fine, blond hair as he watched her fight to keep her eyes open. When she began to snore softly, Dr. Richards kissed her forehead gently before moving away to the counter. He marked the blood samples and swabs for testing and stowed them away in the correct location for pickup this afternoon. He made lots of notes in Zoey’s new medical chart before closing it and filing it under D for daughter.
Moving to Zoey’s side, he removed the long nozzle before sliding a fresh diaper under her raised hips. Dr. Richards carefully unfastened her legs and lowered them to the table. Wrapping the diaper around her bottom snuggly, he smiled at the little figure before lowering the end of the table to a horizontal position. He picked up the sleepy girl, cuddling her nude torso against his chest as she snuffled in protest at being moved. Finally, he draped a warm blanket around her so that she’d stay warm and carried her out of the exam room down the long hall through the master bedroom. Entering her new nursery, Dr. Richards lifted Zoey over the railing and placed her gently on her tummy on the soft mattress. He made sure she was tucked in warmly before raising the railing so she couldn’t get out without help. His little girl wasn’t going to fall out of bed! With one last loving pat to her hair, Dr. Richards turned down the lights and switched on the nursery’s intercom system so he would be able to check on Zoey without waking her. Finally, he walked out closing the door partially to make the nursery quiet.
Chapter Eighteen
Dr. Richards knew the sedation medication in that last enema dosage of medicine would help Zoey sleep soundly for several hours. Adjusting his erect penis in his trousers, he decided to burn off some frustrated energy by going for a run. He could complete several miles and return before Zoey would wake up. Quickly, Dr. Richards changed from his office clothes into shorts and a t-shirt. Tying the laces of his running shoes tightly, he exited his bedroom and headed for the kitchen.
Finding the dedicated housekeeper in the kitchen, he walked over to tune the intercom system to the nursery where he could hear Zoey’s delicate snores wafting through the air. “Jillian, I’m going for a run,” Dr. Richards explained. “Zoey, should sleep for several hours but would you mind listening in case she wakes up while I am gone? She’s in her crib for the first time and that may be concerning for her.”
“Of course, I’ll listen. Do you want me to text you if she wakes up?” Jillian asked with a knowing smile. “She seems to have made a big impression on you already. Do you think that we can convince her to stay?”
“My fingers are crossed, Jillian.” Matt smiled widely. “I already feel like I am supposed to take care of her. Keep making that special mix of yours. She took immediately to drinking from a bottle due to that treat. Do text me if you hear her wake up, Jillian. Then take her a bottle to drink and chat with her to buy me time to get back if she wakes up earlier than I anticipate.”
“Will do, doc. I’ve already made a fresh bottle and stowed it in the refrigerator for her. It’s just the thing to settle a little girl’s tummy when her system’s been cleaned out for the first time,” Jillian winked at the doctor.
“That it is, Jillian.” Dr. Richards strode purposely through the kitchen door and Jillian heard his footsteps dwindle into the distance.
Chapter Nineteen
An hour later, the kitchen door opened as Dr. Matt Richards walked through the door, stretching his arms above his head in his post run cool down. He immediately walked to the intercom and listened intently. Hearing only deep breathing, he turned back to see Jillian smile at him.
“She hasn’t even moved, Dr. Richards. I think that young lady was totally exhausted and needed that nap,” Jillian reassured him.
“She’s worked very hard for a long time, I’m afraid. Sleeping in her car, couldn’t be restful either.” Dr. Richards fell silent for several minutes. “I’m going to make sure that I’m there to take care of her. I need her as much as she needs me, I’m afraid,” he admitted with a small smile. “Okay, I’m off to shower and then wake that little girl up for dinner. When will everything be ready?” he glanced at Jillian.
“The pot roast and veggies are just simmering in the crockpot and I’ll pop in some bread to bake now. How does 30 minutes sound? Everything can stay warm for longer than that if you’re delayed. Sleepy little girls are a delight to hold and enjoy. Take your time.” Jillian replied with a wink as she turned off the intercom into the nursery. The new father and his baby girl deserved to have some privacy as they enjoyed each other.
Nodding his head at the housekeeper, Dr. Richards headed toward the master bedroom. He walked quietly through the room picking up a clean change of clothes before entering the bathroom to shower and change for dinner. Rubbing the towel across his damp hair, Matt looked at his reflection. He looked the same as always but he felt like his world had totally rotated on its axis. Meeting Zoey had completely changed his perspective. Already, his first thoughts were about how to care for this young lady.
Dr. Richards heard a faint whisper of movement from the nursery. He brushed his hair from his eyes and turned to walk through to the nursery. There, he saw, in the faint light of the setting sun, Zoey rubbing sleepy eyes and beginning to look around. He approached the crib saying softly, “Hi, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” Dr. Richards lowered the railing of the crib to caress her face before running his hand over her shoulder to rest on the small of her back. Rubbing her back softly, he let her wake up slowly until Zoey turned her head and focused on his face.
“Oh, I thought this was all a dream,” Zoey whispered. “I’m really here. You’re taking care of me like a baby. I thought I dreamed it all.”
Dr. Richards could see Zoey blush, remembering all the events of the day. He scooped her out of the crib and cradled Zoey against his hard chest. “It seems like a dream to me as well, little one. I’ve waited for you for a long time. And here you are.” He kissed the top of her head and walked over to a wide upholstered rocking chair. Holding her like a baby on his lap, he slowly rocked Zoey as she woke up.
Melting against him, Zoey relaxed into his arms. She felt really good. Sleeping in her car was always nerve-wrecking. She never knew if someone would pound on her window to wake her up or try to break in. Here at Dr. Richards’ house, she was sleeping, well, like a baby. She raised her head from the doctor’s shoulder to look in his eyes. “Did you take a nap, too?” she questioned.
“No, Zoey, I didn’t. I should have curled up with you though. It looks like you slept well. How do you feel?” Dr. Richards smiled at Zoey.
“I feel really well. I didn’t think I would be able to sleep in the crib when I first saw it, but I slept well,” Zoey admitted.
“I think you’ll find you’ll adjust to many things easily here. Just let me take care of you, Zoey. I’ve known just what you need so far, haven’t I, little one? Speaking of need, Zoey, do you need to use your diaper before dinner?” Dr. Richards questioned softly. When he saw her glance down to avoid his eyes, Dr. Richards swept his fingers into the leg hole of the diaper, he discovered that she had used her diaper already.
“I couldn’t help it. I was so sleepy when I woke up. I was already going,” Zoey sniffled with her eyes filling with embarrassed tears.
“Little girl, you make me smile. You’re supposed to use your diaper. I’m glad you’re getting used to it.” Dr. Richards said with a smile as he gave the petite figure a big hug.
Zoey glanced up quickly at his words to see the smile. “Really, I was supposed to use my diaper?” she questioned again.
“I’m always going to tell you the same answer, Zoey. You’re my little girl now. You will use your diaper every day for all your needs. Otherwise, it would be silly for you to wear one, right?” Dr. Richards explained patiently. “Now, did you tot
ally empty your bladder or do you need to go some more before we get you cleaned up for dinner?”
The brown eyes closed shyly again. “I need to go some more,” Zoey admitted.
“Perfect. Just relax your muscles and go sweetheart.” Dr. Richards moved the arm cradling her legs to a more angled position that pressed her thighs to her stomach. He heard her soft gasp and then a sigh. He watched her face until it relaxed and then he rubbed her stomach firmly. “Everything out, Zoey?” he questioned carefully.
“Oh, no!” Zoey exclaimed. “The medicine is coming out of my bottom now,” she cried urgently. “Can I use the bathroom?”
Dr. Richards tightened his arms holding her in place with her legs folded close to her tummy. This position spread her bottom cheeks widely and prevented her from clinching her anus closed. He heard air passing and a wet sound coming from her bottom. “Just let it all out, Zoey. The medicine has done its job. It’s now time for the diaper to do its job. Relax your bottom. It’s all got to come out.” Dr. Richards felt Zoey turn her head into his chest to hide her face. When all the sounds stopped, he stood and carried Zoey to the changing table. Laying her down on the padded cushion, he kissed the top of her head. “You’re doing well, little girl,” he whispered softly before untaping the sides of the soiled diaper and removing it from her bottom. He wiped her bottom cheeks and between her legs until all the urine and medicine mixed with fecal matter was erased.
Chapter Twenty
Dr. Richards leaned over and made a loud blowing noise on Zoey’s tummy, tickling her and making her laugh. When she met his eyes, Zoey could tell he wasn’t grossed out by her mess. “I’m really supposed to make a mess in my diaper?” she questioned seriously.
“Yes, Zoey. I want to be your daddy. Daddies take care of their little girls’ every need. Please let me take care of you, Zoey.” When she nodded solemnly, Dr. Richards kissed her lips softly. “Thank you, Zoey. Now, let’s turn you over little girl and take your temperature. We need to see if you need some more warming treatments.”
Zoey groaned and he laughed at her protest. She felt herself rolled over on her side. A dollop of cold lubricant on her clenched anal opening made her shiver. The thermometer was pushed back deep into her rectum and Dr. Richards rubbed her back soothing her. “Is it 10 minutes yet,” Zoey questioned.
“Almost little one,” he answered. “We’ll see what your temperature is in three more minutes and then pop in some medicine for your feet and we’ll be off to dinner. Jillian has a great meal made for us. How do your feet feel, Zoey?”
“They’re pretty sore,” Zoey admitted. “But I don’t need the big medicine!”
“We’ll save that for tonight, Zoey,” Dr. Richards laughed again at her expression. “You’ll get very used to having things in your bottom,” he promised.
The thermometer slid from her bottom. Zoey watched apprehensively. She began to smile as Dr. Richards nodded positively.
“Great job, Zoey! All those warming treatments really worked. Your temperature is almost normal. We’ll keep checking. It might take one more round of treatments to get you back to the optimal temperature.”
Zoey slumped against the padded mat. “Really, I feel good,” she enthused trying to avoid future enemas and injected medication.
“I’m very glad to hear that Zoey. It just shows how much those treatments help, doesn’t it?” Dr. Richards smiled when Zoey had to nod in acknowledgement of the benefit of the embarrassing and uncomfortable treatments. “Little girl, we’re trying to warm you up and here you lie without any clothes on!” Dr. Richards changed the subject as he first pressed two small pain suppositories into her bottom before he wrapped a new diaper around her. Dr. Richards pulled a fuzzy one-piece sleeper from a drawer near the changing table. Threading her feet and arms into the soft blue sleeper, Dr. Richards pulled the zipper up to Zoey’s neck bundling her in warmth. “Perfect fit!” he exclaimed as he picked her up. “Let’s go get some dinner! I’m starving. How about you?” Dr. Richards questioned with a smile anticipating a positive answer from Zoey. The enemas and warming medicine usually made little ones very hungry.
Zoey’s stomach chose that moment to growl ferociously. Zoey covered her tummy with a hand and admitted with an embarrassed tone, “I am pretty hungry.”
“Awesome! Let’s go see what Jillian has made for us.” He scooped her up in his strong arms and squeezed her quickly against his body as he turned to walk toward the door. “I think I smelled bread baking as I came through the kitchen. Do you like fresh bread?”
A delicious yeasty aroma reached Zoey’s nose as they approached the kitchen. “Did she make it herself? I don’t think I’ve ever eaten freshly baked bread. It smells delicious,” Zoey enthused.
Chapter Twenty-one
Entering the kitchen, Dr. Richards stopped just in the doorway. Making eye contact with Jillian, he announced, “Zoey hasn’t ever eaten freshly baked bread before, Jillian. I think we better slice her a big piece.”
“You bet,” Jillian agreed with a smile. “Here, Zoey. Let’s get you ready to eat. Come sit down.” Jillian removed the tray from the adult-sized high chair and waited for Dr. Richards to lower Zoey onto the wooden seat before sliding the tray back in its position in front of Zoey. “Do you like butter?” she questioned with a smile as she walked over to the island where the golden-brown loaf of bread was waiting.
“I think so,” Zoey said hesitantly distracted by the tray locked into place before her. Her blond hair draped over her face as she tried to figure out how she could free herself.
Jillian and Dr. Richards looked sadly at each other over her head. It was obvious that Zoey hadn’t been able to afford a luxury item like butter for so long that she didn’t remember whether she liked it or not.
“Let’s try a piece with some butter on it. It’s how your daddy likes to eat it. I bet you’ll like it that way too,” Jillian sliced a thick slice of bread and buttered it liberally before placing it directly on the tray in front of Zoey.
Zoey picked up the bread and took a big bite. Her light brown eyes lit up with delight. “This is so good, Jillian. Thank you for making this.” She took another big bite and smeared butter along her cheek. “Mmmmm,” she hummed to herself as she wiggled in delight in her high chair.
“Little lady, you’re going to cover yourself in butter. Let’s get your napkin on you so you don’t get butter on your clothes,” Dr. Richards laughed as he wiped off her cheek. Then, he picked up what looked like a small towel with a stretchy hole in the middle and pulled it over her head so that it draped in front and behind her.
Zoey looked down at the soft towel to see that there was a bright pink butterfly on the front. Holding the bread in her left hand, she carefully traced the outline of the wings. She looked up at Dr. Richards and smiled with happiness. “This is a great place,” she said to herself.
After a dinner where Zoey’s attention was divided between the warm bread and the delicious, tender roast and vegetables Dr. Richards fed her slowly, Zoey rubbed her full stomach and complimented Jillian. “Dinner was so good, Jillian. Thank you!”
Dr. Richards echoed her compliments, “Totally delicious as always, Jillian! You keep feeding this little girl like this and she’s going to want to stay here with me just for your delicious meals.”
Zoey shook her head quickly. “I wouldn’t stay just for food,” she blurted out before adding, “No matter how delicious it is.”
“What would convince you to stay, Zoey?” Dr. Richards asked quietly.
“Feeling that this was home and you all were my family,” Zoey answered simply. “That’s really what I’m looking for . . . a home and a family.” She dropped her eyes to the tray in front of her so they didn’t see the tears forming in her eyes.
“I would love it if you’d start thinking of this as your new home, Zoey,” Dr. Richards answered firmly. “Now, I need to have you in my arms, sweetheart. Will you curl up on my lap and drink a bottle of Jillian’s special milk fo
r your dessert, Zoey?” he questioned with a gentle smile as she looked up at him.
At her nod, Dr. Richards unlatched that mysterious tray from in front of her and scooped her up in his arms. “Let’s get you bathed and ready for bed, Zoey. Then, we’ll drink that bottle,” he explained as he turned to leave the warm kitchen. “Jillian, will you bring up a bottle in 30 minutes?” he questioned. Seeing her nod in agreement, Dr. Richards walked briskly out of the kitchen and back to the master bedroom. Heading past the bed into the special adjoined nursery, he sat Zoey on the padded armless chair. “Stay here, sweetheart. I’m going to start the water in the tub. He walked over to the raised tub at the far end of the room and turned the knobs to start the flow of water.
Zoey hadn’t noticed the waist high basin. Dr. Richards didn’t have to lean over at all to reach the tub. “That’s neat. It’ll be hard to climb into . . . “Zoey’s voice dropped off as the doctor approached her with a smile.
“Good thing, I’ll be here to lift you up into the tub, Zoey. Now, let’s get those clothes off you so you can splash and get clean,” Dr. Richards lifted her so he could sit down on the chair with Zoey perched on his lap. “First let’s take this off,” he added as he began to unfasten her sleeper and pulled it off her feet. “Now, let’s get these bandages off your feet so we can see how you are healing.”