Morning

Hello my lovely readers.

I'm so sorry for the week without updates.

If I'm being honest, I've been suffering from some writer's block.

However, logging in today and seeing the immense outpouring of comments and support reignited my passion for this story.

So thank you all so much.

I hope you enjoy this more relaxed chapter.

We'll be getting into some deeper action in these next few chapters, so enjoy the peace while it lasts.

❂    ❂    ❂

When her eyes opened the next morning, she thought for a moment that she was still dreaming.

A white canopy hung from the ceiling above her, beautiful flowers attached to the airy fabric.

Enid stretched as she took in the large room, her memories of the night before flooding back.

This was her room.

Her home for the next few months.

The last time she had truly had a home had been over two years ago.

Enid pushed the negative train of thought way.

Now was not the time to stray into the pains of the past.

She ran her fingers along the lavish comforter that stretched across the large bed.

Slipping into the slippers left for her by the nightstand, she padded over to the bathroom.

Biting her lip with excitement, she twisted the handle of the bathtub.

She brushed her teeth as she looked over her bubble bath options, astonished at the number of bottles.

Enid sunk into the fragranced water with a sigh, her eyes drifting shut.

Once she was clean, she made her way to the massive closet.

Exquisite fabrics, endless colors.

She ran her fingers over the silky dresses and soft cashmere sweaters.

For a few moments, all she could do was stare in awe at all her options.

All in her size.

Each piece more extravagant and gorgeous than the next.

Finally, her eyes landed on a pair of pastel yellow dungarees that she immediately fell in love with.

Pairing it with a soft white sweater, she took a moment to study herself in the mirror.

Her ivory cheeks were rosy, her curls more tamed than they had ever been.

A jolt of shock down her spine.

The girl staring back at her looked pretty.

Her eyes glimmered with exuberance.

She looked loved.

So far from the lost and haunted girl who had first set foot in America.

Cracking open her bedroom door, she poked her head out to survey the common area.

It was empty.

Opening the door wider, she found a sticky note on the outer side.

Come to the kitchen once you're ready, little bird. Xx

She recognized Dante's swirling cursive and smiled.

Making the trek down the many stairways took nearly five minutes and she understood how the three men stayed so fit.

Climbing all these steps each night was going to be a challenge for her.

As she neared the kitchen, snippets of an argument reached her ears.

"I think we should have the daddy discussion first, then the rules." Dante's accent was sharp with conviction.

"No. We need to lay out the rules first and then teach her about titles. We don't want to scare her off!" Alexander's melodious voice struck back.

"Let's just do them both at once, the title is one of the rules after all." Theodore's tired sigh punctuating his annoyance at their bickering.

It was then that Enid appeared in the doorway and their discussion came to a halt.

"Hello sleeping beauty. Did you sleep well?" Alexander smiled at her as he pulled her in for a hug.

"Yes, marvelously. How about you?" Her head tilting back as she looked up at him.

His golden eyes bright as he brushed his lips against her forehead.

"I slept much better knowing you're under our roof." His response made her blush.

"Stop hogging my little bird." Dante grumbled from behind her, tugging her from the other man's hold.

"Good morning, principessa. You look good enough to eat." The playful man pretended to take a bite out of her shoulder.

She giggled at him and tried to duck away from his pretend biting.

"Save me, Theodore!" She squealed as Dante began tickling her sides.

The blue-eyed man chuckled as he grabbed the laughing girl.

"Dante, you can't eat her like that. You have to cook her first." His serious tone given away by the humor in his eyes as he stared down at her.

His more relaxed side still surprised her when it appeared, as she was so used to his serious nature.

She squirmed until her released her, running to the other side of the kitchen island, her sides aching from laughing so hard.

Grabbing a spatula, she pointed it at them as though to protect herself from their advances.

"No eating my angel! We have to feed her first. There's not enough meat on these bones." Alexander winked at her as he took the spatula from her hand.

"I'll make her breakfast. God knows you just standing in the kitchen is recipe for disaster, Alex." Dante threw his hands up in mock exasperation.

Settling down, the four ate breakfast peacefully.

Enid and Dante discussed favorite books while Theodore and Alexander watched with amusement.

She was astonished at how normal it all felt.

Like she was meant to be there, filling the empty side of the table.

Enid smiled as she watched Dante tease Alexander with a story from their childhood.

Theodore's lips quirked up at the sides as he watched her watch them.

It felt as though a puzzle had finally been completed.

The final missing piece locked into place.

After breakfast was cleared away, Theodore disappeared to his office for a moment.

When he returned, he placed two sizable packets of papers before her.

The playful atmosphere that had thrummed around them all morning dissipated.

A far more weighty air settling around them.

Her heart rustled nervously in her ribs.

Each of the men took their seat at the table and she shrunk slightly under the sudden full attention of all three of their intense gazes.

"We need to discuss some things, little one." Dante's expression firm and missing its usual mirth.

Enid glanced down at the papers before her and read the title printed across the top page of the larger packet.

Dominant/Submissive Contract.

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And we're back!

What all do you think is going to be in the contract?

Comments fill my heart with joy.

All my love, Sappho ❂