To Monserrat’s annoyance, her track coach’s prediction about the flu came true, with fevers picking off her teammates left and right. In an effort to preserve enough of the team to make the next track meet, Marge had shut down practice and ordered the team to run in their neighborhood or at the park. When Monserrat asked what the throwers were supposed to do –a question she felt was quite reasonable – her stressed-out coach snapped back with, “Arm-press your wife or something.”
Maybe I WILL arm-press Jenna. She’s tiny enough. The thought was amusing enough on her drive home to wipe Monserrat’s grouchy frown away. Her polycule’s house looked especially shabby after spring rains had given way to hot sunny days. Their landlord hadn’t bothered with landscaping since before winter, and the exterior paint was peeling everywhere. Monserrat trudged down the cracked concrete path through the muck of branches and leaves that’d been trapped by winter snow. Her new white track shoes picked up stains along the way. Though Monserrat had the money to buy another dozen pairs, it was another hassle. Despite her best intentions, her frown was back when she stepped inside.
“Hey, Monchi – woah – who died?” Rachel was looking scrumptious in barely-decent cutoff jeans shorts and a ripped t-shirt. She was dotted in flour, as was the counter.
Along with the mixing bowls piled next to the sink, all signs pointed to delicious baked goods in Monserrat’s near future. Seen through the lens of Monserrat’s bad mood, the kitchen mess was another injection of chaos into her day.
“Practice was canceled,” Monserrat grumbled, dumping her bags in the mud room and walking past Rachel without their usual hug and kiss.
The living room looked nice, at least as far as Monserrat and her roommates could control. They’d all decorated the room together, comfortingly blending their personal styles. Most of their time as a group had been spent in that living room, making it the image that appeared in Monserrat’s mind when she thought of home. Timbers and springs groaned when Monserrat flopped on the old white couch Niusha had contributed to the room.
“Monserrat, you’re home early.” Niusha emerged from her bedroom, apparently summoned by her couch’s protest. She was dressed as casually as Rachel, in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. Monserrat couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Niusha in sweats. “Can we talk about the laundry?”
Now confused, in addition to being irritated, Monserrat furrowed her brows at Niusha. “What about the laundry? Don’t tell me one of the machines broke down.”
“No, but they’re still as old and slow as ever. Jenna’s been leaving her clothes in them when the cycles are done, and everyone’s laundry is backing up.”
Monserrat had a loud, dismissive reply on her lips that she thankfully caught before it escaped. She sat up and took a breath before asking, “Why don’t you talk to Jenna about it? She’s my wife, but she’s your girlfriend.”
“I did.” Niusha attempted a smile that ended as more of a grimace. “She apologized, said she’d fix the problem – and kept doing it.”
“I was going to take care of it for her; I know she’s been busy with her math conference.” Rachel leaned against the kitchen doorframe. “I got busy with fixing the bathtub leak.”
“Why didn’t you call the landlord?” Monserrat’s question came out as much more of a growl than she’d intended.
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger!” Rachel raised her hands. “I did contact him. He didn’t reply until I fixed it and said his maintenance guy couldn’t be here for a week.”
“Monchi, I didn’t realize you were so upset,” Niusha said. “I’m sorry for dumping that on you right when you came in. Do you want to talk about what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong.” Monserrat sighed. “Track practice getting canceled sucks, I was really looking forward to that workout, but the gym is shut down too.”
“Tell me about it; half of my classes went remote, and my professors have no idea how to teach over a video call.” Rachel nodded.
“The campus is in a bit of an uproar.” Niusha agreed. “It has to be more than that, Monchi. You only get this upset when it’s something personal or emotional.”
“I just have too much energy!” Monserrat rose with an explosive motion to pace by the front windows. “I’ve been relying on track practice to smooth out my mood.”
“This has been going on for a while, then?” Rachel took a seat on the back of the couch.
“Monserrat, love, please talk to us.” Niusha sat on the seat below Rachel and leaned against her girlfriend’s hip.
“I don’t know what’s going on. There’s so many small irritations – our landlord, this laundry thing, figuring out my bedroom, practice getting canceled, my last engineering exam, Jenna’s parents…”
“Uh – Monchi? Those last two don’t sound small or like they fit in with the others.”
Monserrat picked flaking paint off the old wood that separated the window panes. “It’s not that big of a deal. Jenna will tell her parents when she’s ready.”
“About your wedding?” Niusha asked gently.
“Yeah.” The big sigh that accompanied Monserrat’s reply left her unable to keep up her pretense that the issue was minor. “Okay, you’re right, it’s not a little thing.”
“Maybe it’s a Little thing,” Niusha said. “We’ve taken over a lot of Jenna’s life; it shouldn’t be surprising that she’s acting less autonomously.”
“You think she needs guidance?” Monserrat sat against the windowsill. “Hmm, maybe she does, or maybe we should adjust how we play.”
“I think you’re right; you’ve lost your frown already,” Niusha said.
“But you don’t have your smile back,” Rachel said. “Tell us about the test. I know grades are really important to you.”
“My last engineering exam came in at a solid C.” Monserrat sucked in her gut against the hollow feeling of guilt her admission created. “I can’t ace that class anymore.”
“You had an A before,” Rachel said. “I know it’s not what you wanted, but a B isn’t a catastrophe.”
“I’m too busy; I can’t do it all.” Monserrat shook her head. “But what am I supposed to give up? Time with you two? Time with my wife? Sports? My major? My job? I love everything on that list.”
“We could do more around the house,” Niusha said. “And more babysitting for Jenna.”
“That’s not fair. You’re paying the same rent I am. As for the babysitting, you already get more time with Jenna than I do. I’m not saying I’m jealous, but I don’t want to lose the time I have.”
“We’d do it for you, Monchi, ‘cause we love you.” Rachel blew Monserrat a kiss. The silliness of it teased a smile from her.
“It’s a sweet offer but wouldn’t reduce my stress. I have a lot of money built up from my job. I can hire a cleaning service to come by a few times a week.”
“That might be awkward for Jenna being Little,” Niusha said. “Otherwise, it’d be lovely if she doesn’t have an objection to having someone in her space.”
“Damnit, you’re right.” Monserrat rubbed her eyes. “I’ll think of more ideas. Let me know if you two develop something that doesn’t involve me getting a pass on maintaining the household.”
Niusha said, “We’re still happy to do it, but I’ll try and think of something else.”
“You could hire a tutor.” Rachel offered.
“I already tried that; it wasn’t enough.” Monserrat shrugged. “I’m going to check in on Jenna and get a couple of things solved, at least.”
“We love you, Monserrat. Thanks for talking to us.” Niusha and Rachel hugged Monserrat from either side. One at a time, they leaned up for a kiss.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you both so much.” Monserrat held her girlfriends close another moment before heading upstairs.
~~~*~~~
Monserrat found Jenna in her bedroom, curled up with her stuffed bat and a science fiction novel. Other than the girl’s ever-present stuffie, there was nothing to indicate that Jenna was in her Little mode. If Jenna was done with her homework for the day, she probably wasn’t wearing padding either. Where she would have hesitated before, Monserrat found Jenna’s situation perfect for her plan.
“Hi, my love.” Monserrat sat on the bed and gently took the book out of Jenna’s hands.
“Monchi!” Jenna lurched out of her sitting position to climb into Monserrat’s lap and hug her. So far, things were progressing exactly as Monserrat had hoped. Monchi kissed her wife while she put an arm around Jenna’s back and another under her knees.
“I’m glad to see you, but we have something serious to discuss.” Monserrat had been worried she might sound angry but found using her kind-but-firm caregiver tone effortless.
Jenna didn’t seem to notice Monserrat’s tone, another point in the plan’s favor. “Oh, okay! Did something happen? Is something wrong?”
“No to your first question, yes to the second. You’ve been skipping out on things you promised to do, and I’m going to give you a spanking.”
As the impact of Monserrat’s words hit, Jenna’s jaw dropped, and her eyes went wide. That she looked more confused than upset or stern was the final thing Monserrat needed to believe she had the right approach. To Jenna’s credit, she wasn’t trying to wiggle out of Monserrat’s grasp either.
“What are you talking about? We’re not playing right now; there’s nothing I haven’t – oh no, did I forget laundry again?”
“You did,” Monserrat said seriously. “But there’s something much more important you promised to do that isn’t getting done.”
“Telling my parents.” Jenna dropped her eyes in a contrite expression. She didn’t have the same pleading, innocent look she had used when she got in trouble as Jenny, but it was hard not to see the little girl in her regardless.
“That’s right. I’ve already told my folks. It’s stressing me out that you haven’t told yours. The laundry is more minor, but it’s still a problem. This house’s old machines can only support the four of us if we keep things moving. Our girlfriends are walking around in the last bits of their wardrobes.”
“I’m sorry, and I’ll apologize to Niusha and Rachel too.” Jenna tried to sit up, only to be lifted in Monserrat’s arms. “Let me down; I’ll do that and rotate my laundry right now.”
“You still need your spanking,” Monserrat said firmly.
“Monchi, we’re not playing right now; I’m not even diapered. You’re not serious about spanking me, are you?”
“I am, Jenna.” Monserrat deliberately used her wife’s regular name, glad to see the surprised recognition in Jenna’s eyes. “We’ve talked about this once before. It’s a little course correction for you.”
“You’re that mad at me? I’m a bad girl?” Tears sprung into Jenna’s eyes. Monserrat held her wife close to her chest.
“You’re always a good girl. My good girl. I won’t let you be a bad girl, Jenna, big or Little.”
“But why a spanking? If I’m big, don’t we talk it out?” Notably, Jenna wasn’t refusing to be spanked. For some couples, that would have been enough for Monserrat to go ahead. Needing to be completely sure, Monserrat sat Jenna on her lap and looked her in the eyes.
“Because you spend more of your life Little than big these days. A lot of it has been driven by me or our girlfriends asking for more caregiving time with you, but after our wedding, I’m sure it’s what you want, too. Has that changed at all?”
“No, I like – I love being Little with you and my babysitters.” Jenna was still out of her Little persona and handling their tough emotional conversation like a champ. Monserrat had never been more proud of the love of her life.
“If you being Little most of the time makes you less responsible, then we need to either correct you as a Little girl – or you need to be Little less often.”
Jenna’s jaw dropped again, but she was silent. Her eyes darted back and forth between Monserrat’s eyes and looking down between them. Finally, she swallowed hard and nodded. “I’m sorry, Monchi. Please don’t let me be a bad girl.”
“Never.” Monserrat kissed Jenna tenderly, holding her tightly enough to feel her wife’s heartbeat. She unbuttoned Jenna’s jeans and slid them off.
“C-can I be Little for my spanking?” Jenna whimpered.
“You might as well. I was going to put you in a diaper anyway,” Monserrat said.
“Okay, Monchi.” Jenny sighed in relief.
Monserrat flipped Jenny over and pulled the Little girl’s panties down. Jenny whimpered and grabbed hold of the covers. Without wasting time any more than she had the first time she spanked Jenny, Monserrat gave her wife’s rear a solid smack. Her hand’s sharp sound and Jenny’s resulting whimper were likely loud enough for Rachel and Niusha to hear downstairs.
“Why are you being spanked, Jenny?” Monserrat asked.
“F-for saying I’ll do things and not doing them.” Jenny whimpered.
Monserrat gave Jenny’s rear another couple of slaps. “That’s right. What things did you promise to do and then not do?”
“T-telling my parents, we’re married!” Jenny yelped as another smack connected with her rear. “And not doing the laundry!”
“That’s right. And what are you going to do after your spanking?” Monserrat delivered another pair of smacks.
“Send the email to Mom and do the laundry!” Jenny wailed.
“Wrong answer.” Monserrat whopped Jenny’s rear again, the hardest one yet.
“Ow! I don’t know! What am I going to do?”
“Whatever I or your babysitters tell you to do.” Monserrat delivered another slap, much more lightly than the rest.
“Oh – okay, yeah.” Jenny nodded profusely. “You’ll tell me what to do.”
“That’s my good girl.” Monserrat stroked Jenny’s hair. “Two more spanks, and you’re done. Ready?”
Jenny whimpered and nodded. Monserrat’s last two slaps were barely spanks, landing silently on Jenny’s bright red rear. The Little girl looked over her shoulder in confusion, only for Monserrat to pick her up for a big hug.
“You’re a good girl, Jenny. You’re my good girl, Niusha’s good girl, and Rachel’s good girl.”
Jenny shuddered, clinging to Monserrat with all her might. “I want to be your good girl and theirs. Am I Clarissa’s good girl, too?”
“I left her out because she doesn’t live here. I wish we could move her in, but there’s no space…” Monserrat trailed off as a burgeoning idea pulled at her mind.
“I could live in your room, and then Clarissa could have mine. Oh, except we’re not supposed to do that because of the polycule rules.” Jenny chewed her lip. “And the laundry would probably get worse. But all my babysitters could make me do extra laundry; I could do mine and somebody else’s every day!”
Monserrat chuckled and briefly kissed Jenny. “You’re a darling girl, but that solution won’t work. Neither will the idea I came up with earlier: to hire a cleaning service.”
Faster than Monserrat had expected, Jenny flinched away from that idea. “I wouldn’t want strangers coming in and seeing my diapers – or me, Little – or even just being in our house.”
“That’s what Niusha said, and she was right.” Monserrat smiled. “But how would you like to live in a bigger house? A nice house, with lots of room for everybody and appliances that actually work?”
“I’d love that so much!” Jenny sighed. “But Rachel’s been looking, and there’s nothing better for rent that everybody can afford.”
“There is if I buy a house.” Monserrat nuzzled Jenny’s cheek. “Then we’d all get a better house, and our girlfriend’s rent would never have to go up.”
“Can you do that?” Jenny smiled from ear to ear. “I could pay some more rent if you needed it to make the money work.”
“Jenny-bear – Jenna, my darling wife. We’re married. It’d be our house. You’d be on the deed.”
Jenna’s shock was far more profound than when she’d realized Monserrat was serious about spanking her. The Littleness of her expression melted away – before coming back stronger than ever. “Our own house, really? Can we find one that has a special room setup for us? Jenny and Navi rooms, so nobody has to get upset, but I can be right with you all the time?”
“You bet we can; if there isn’t one, it’ll be our house. We’ll change it until it fits us.”
“Is the bank really going to give a loan to a couple of college students who aren’t twenty yet?” Though she was asking a Big question, Jenny’s Little voice was in full play. “I know you make a lot of money, but I make negative money with my student loans.”
“If they won’t, then maybe our parents will co-sign, or maybe Veronica will.” Monserrat laughed. “She owes me for rescuing her daughter.”
“This is really going to happen, isn’t it!” Jenny bounced on Monserrat’s lap, wincing when she remembered her sore rear. “Can we tell our girlfriends right now? Oh my gosh, I hope Clarissa will want to move in too!”
“We can tell them after we get you dressed.” Monserrat spread Jenny’s changing blanket on the bed and laid the Little girl on it.
“If we’re getting a house, we could get a changing table, too, right?” Jenny obediently spread her arms and legs out like a starfish.
“Is that something you want?” Monserrat asked in surprise. “What’s next, a crib?”
“No, not a crib; I like sleeping with you.” Jenny giggled. “A changing table seems handy, though. Skye and Flora both have one. I think Briana said she has one too.”
“I make a lot of money, but not enough to keep up with the Rasmussens.” Monserrat laughed as she carefully spread lotion on Jenny’s sore rear. “You make an excellent argument, though. A changing table would be handy.”
“We’ll get to decorate so many things; Niusha will be so happy!” Jenny spent the rest of her diaper change squirming excitedly, to the point that Monserrat didn’t bother putting pants back on the Little girl.
As she casually carried her darling, diapered wife down the stairs, Monserrat couldn’t wait to see the expressions on their girlfriend’s faces when they made their announcement. Jenny’s excitement and Monserrat’s own had wiped away any trace of her bad mood. For the first time in a while, all the grueling hours she’d spent babysitting adult baby girls felt like they were paying off. This week started terribly between the flu and my test, but it’ll end as the best week since our wedding!