Chapter 4

Erika's pov:

"Here," Catherine said, her tone firm yet soothing as she held the pacifier towards my face, the tip threatening to enter my mouth.

"Oh look at you." Catherine cooed. She tried to run her fingers through my hair, causing me to immediately shift my seat. I. Hate. Being. Touched.

Yet, I knew my tuition was expensive enough for my mother. She didn't need rent or dorm fees on top of that. This is all so strange. I never thought this would be a decision I would have to make. This woman must be a little twisted in the head. But, I decided to accept my fate, and comply with whatever Catherine wanted for the sake of my mother.

I took the pacifier out of my mouth, "So I just have to be your b-baby for two hours everyday?" I asked hesitantly, "Those are the only obligations?"

"Yes," Catherine replied, "well there are of course other rules we might as well go over now." She stood up from her seat, holding her hand out to me. I blushed at the infantile motion. Still, I warily took her hand.

She led me to the hallway and into the second door on the right. When she opened the door I was met with a huge nursery. It was a cozy, enchanting haven designed for a little girl. The walls were painted a soft pastel pink, with one accent wall adorned with a delicate mural of whimsical woodland creatures frolicking among blooming flowers and towering trees. The ceiling was painted to resemble a gentle, cloud-dotted sky, giving the room an airy, dreamlike quality.

In the center of the room stood a white, oversized, vintage-style crib with intricate carvings and a soft, blush-colored canopy draped elegantly over it. The crib was adorned with plush pillows and a quilted blanket featuring charming illustrations of bunnies and butterflies. A mobile with delicate porcelain fairies and stars hung above the crib, turning slowly and casting gentle shadows on the walls.

To the left of the crib, a cushioned rocking chair with a matching ottoman. A soft, knitted throw blanket was draped over the back of the chair, and a small, plush teddy bear was placed on the ottoman.

A white dresser with ornate handles stood against one wall, topped with a changing pad covered in a floral-patterned fabric. Near the window, a toy chest painted with fairy tale scenes held an assortment of toys and dolls.

The huge whiteboard hanging beside the toy chest is where we stopped. The writing all over it made me indicate that it's the house rules. I laughed to myself, I don't need a huge whiteboard like a child, but I suppose that's my role for two hours.

"So lovebug, here's the house rules," Catherine said as she pointed with her free hand at the whiteboard, "during what I call our mommy and me time" She looked at me. A sudden rush of warmth flooded my face. The pet names were making me extremely reactive. It's not as if I disliked them, they were just different.

Catherine continued, "first, always call me mommy or mama, next no using profanity and last always listen to and respect me. Pretty simple right?" Catherine asked.

"Yeah" I replied simply. "Think you could handle that?" Catherine asked somewhat rhetorically, her sing-songy tone made a scarlet flush stay on my face. All I could do was nod, I couldn't fathom speaking another word.

"Aw seems as if you're a shy little one aren't you?" Catherine said as she suddenly picked me up, I tried to push away, going dead weight. I almost kicked out of instinct, but she was too strong, resting me on her hip.

The blush on my cheeks was so scarlet it was maroon. I didn't even notice the height difference between me and Catherine. She's so tall, so strong, so tall she could hover over me, so strong she could carry me. I didn't like this at all. She had so much control over me. As if my very life was in her hands.

"Oh one more thing" Catherine added as I was resting on her hip, "I know that Yale is very demanding in its studies, and I assume you also will get a job, so if you absolutely have to miss we'll just add it to the next day. If it exceeds 12 hours I of course would never leave you on the streets, but we would have to look to other forms of punishment."

Ugh these riddles needed to stop. My embarrassment had to be put on hold to ask further questions, "What other forms of 'punishment'?" I feared the response she might say.

"Well, we can cross that bridge when we get there, just be the angel you already are and you won't ever have to find out," Catherine clarified, or attempted to clarify, "yet if you break any of the three house rules you will receive a time out."

I almost giggled at that. A time out? I have never had a time out in my 17 years on this planet. My smile must've showed as Catherine started tickling me, making me actually start to giggle.

"So someone thinks that time outs are funny huh?" Catherine retorted as she continued to tickle me. I barely knew this woman and now she is touching me once more. This was so odd, strange, weird. However one may put it. I started to become agitated by her constant contact.

"PLEASE STOP TOUCHING ME" is all I could think as I tried to contain my giggles.

Catherine finally stopped as she moved us from the whiteboard, exiting the room, "You know when you giggle you sound just like, like a little baby."

"Really?" My eyes widened, I was almost angered by this information. I didn't sound like a baby, I sounded like a teenager that is almost an adult.

"But that's part of it, I play mommy" Catherine paused to boop my nose, which I scrunched and itched in response, attempting to rid the lingering tingling feeling she gives me, "and you play baby." She emphasized. "So we might as well start our time now, don't you think?" It was as if she wasn't even asking me, she was just stating what she was going to do.

"Can I unpack my things first?" I asked with a hopeful glisten in my eyes.

Catherine let out a 'hmph', considering for a moment. "Alright, sweetheart. You can unpack first, but don't take too long. We have lots to do, and I'm excited to start our time together." She set me down gently, her eyes lingering on mine, studying my reactions.

As I headed back to the living room to retrieve my suitcases, I felt her gaze on my back. Once I had all my bags in my hands, she took one from me without even asking. She placed her hand on the small of my back with her free hand, leading me to my room.

"This will be your main room." Catherine said as she opened the door right next to what I assumed to be hers.

The room was bright and airy, with sunlight streaming through a large window adorned with light, gauzy curtains that fluttered gently in the breeze. In the center of the room stood a full size bed with a simple white bedspread and a few plump, colorful pillows arranged neatly at the head.

Across from the bed was a wooden desk with a sleek chair, already equipped with a small potted plant and a desk lamp. The desk had plenty of space for her laptop and study materials, which made me feel a bit more at ease. Above the desk, a corkboard had been mounted on the wall, ready to be filled with photos, notes, and reminders.

A dresser with matching wood tones stood against one wall, its surface adorned with a framed photograph of a serene landscape, likely placed there by Catherine to make the room feel more personalized.

I placed my suitcases and bags neatly by the door, waiting to be unpacked. My hands trembled slightly as I unzipped my bags and began to organize my things. The familiarity of my belongings brought a slight sense of comfort amidst the strangeness of my situation. Yet, the thought of the nursery, the pacifier, and Catherine's firm yet motherly demeanor kept me on edge.

After a few minutes, Catherine appeared in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. "All set, honeybunch?" she asked, her voice softer now but still carrying that unmistakable authority. She sure had a lot of pet names for me.

I nodded, trying to mask my nervousness. "Yeah, I think so."

"Good. Let's head back to the nursery then," she said, holding out her hand once more. I still didn't want to and hesitated, yet I knew resistance was futile.

As we walked back into the pastel-colored room, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Part of me wanted to rebel, to assert my independence. But another part, the part that understood the weight of my responsibilities and the burden my mother carried, the part that knew that compliance was my only option.

Catherine guided me to the cushioned rocking chair and sat me down gently. She knelt in front of me, her hands resting on my knees. "I know this is all new and probably overwhelming for you," she said, her eyes searching mine for understanding. "But I promise, you'll get used to it. And who knows, you might even find some comfort in it."

I swallowed hard, feeling the lump in my throat. "I'll try my best, Catherine."

"Mommy," she corrected gently, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Mommy," I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

"That's my good girl," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Next time you'll get a visit to the time out chair" she scolded, "Now, let's start our time together, shall we?"

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. As Catherine began to explain the daily routine and the activities we would do, I couldn't shake the feeling of resentment of our new arrangement, my new life.