Mouse Ears
Thane had Brie drive them to the Italian café they’d often visited to enjoy cappuccinos together as a couple. He wanted to ensure, as much as possible, that these last few months before the baby was born were as normal and carefree as possible.
He was speaking with the owner, who had grown up on the same small island as his grandparents. While they were conversing about the recent changes taking place on Isola d’ Elba, he noticed Brie staring out the window with a whimsical look on her face.
After he finished the conversation, he asked Brie, “What do you see out there that’s caught your interest so?”
Brie eyes were sparkling. “There was a little girl walking past the café with her parents. She was so adorable, swinging in both their arms with Mickey Mouse ears on her head.” Brie rested her chin against her hand, smiling at him. “The girl looked to be about the same age I was when I came to see Disneyland.”
“I’ve never been, myself, but the expression on your face lets me know you have good memories of it,” he replied, taking a sip from his cup.
“Oh, I do, Sir!”
“How old were you?”
“Seven. My parents waited until I was old enough to remember the trip, but still young enough to believe in the magic.”
Thane unconsciously did the calculations and felt a chill of providence course through him as he stared at Brie.
She blushed under his scrutiny. “What is it?”
“Tell me, babygirl, do you like Pluto?”
Brie laughed in delight. “I love Pluto! Is that something we have in common?”
Thane shook his head. “No, I have no preference in Disney characters, but I do remember a little girl who couldn’t reach a bottle of catsup at a small diner Brad and I often frequented back in college.”
Brie’s jaw dropped. “Wait…”
Thane smirked. “She was a cute little thing, too. Long brown pigtails and a big smile. I recall that her father was none too pleased when she asked for my help to get that bottle for her.”
She stared at him in shock. “Was that really you?”
He nodded.
“I’ve got goosebumps, Sir,” Brie confessed, brushing her arm with her hand. She glanced at him shyly. “Did you know that you were my very first crush?”
“I was, was I?” he replied with a low growl.
“Of course! You were so handsome and kind.” Brie blushed. “I confess I daydreamed about that college boy being my boyfriend for years.”
Thane chuckled. “I’ve never forgotten how that man stared me down. I guess I have to give your father more credit. Somehow, he instinctually knew what I would be doing to his little girl someday.”
Brie giggled.
Thane took her hand in his. “It seems we were fated for each other, my dear.”
Tears came to her eyes as she nodded. “It really does, Sir.”
Thane had a wild thought and asked, “What would you think if we sent your father Mickey Mouse ears and a bottle of catsup?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, my goodness, that would be so funny!”
“Do you think he would remember?”
She grinned. “There’s only one way to find out.”
After weeks of contemplation, and being inspired by that fateful encounter, Brie announced she was finally ready to dole out her punishment.
He suggested they move to the sofa, and when she started to kneel, he explained, “It’s better if you sit beside me. When punishing your Dominant, it’s important that you are not in a submissive pose.”
Brie blushed as she took a seat next to him on the couch. She began rubbing her hands on her knees nervously.
“There’s no reason to feel anxious,” he assured her, amused that she found the reversed power exchange uncomfortable.
Brie promptly stuck her hands between her knees to stop from fidgeting.
Thane waited patiently, but she just stared at him, her face growing redder by the moment as if she was afraid to declare his punishment aloud.
It was obvious Brie assumed whatever she had planned would displease him. Since he trusted Brie, and was determined to accept whatever she dished out, he knew he could handle it—no matter the level of discomfort.
“Go on,” he encouraged her.
“I want to take you to a place you’ve never been.”
“As in a mental challenge?” he asked, seeking clarification.
She grinned anxiously. “It will be, in a way.”
“Very well. Tell me what I must do.”
Brie took in a deep breath before she continued. “To pay homage to fate and my own childhood, I want you to take me to Disneyland.”
Thane furrowed his brow. “I cannot physically complete that task, babygirl.”
“But you can,” she insisted, suddenly exuding confidence now that she had shared it with him. “We won’t be going on the rides. We’ll simply sit down at a restaurant to enjoy a meal together.”
He could tell there was more involved and smirked knowingly. “What must I do? Wear a Mickey Mouse costume or perhaps your favorite—Pluto?”
Brie giggled, shaking her head. “I hadn’t thought of that…”
“Then don’t,” he stated firmly, hoping he hadn’t put a new idea in her head.
“The only thing required of you is to wave at the people, Sir.”
“What?” Her answer had taken him completely by surprise.
“Ever since I rode on the Pirates of the Caribbean as a child, and I saw people waving at me from the restaurant by the river, I dreamed about being one of those people waving back.”
Thane thought over what she’d shared before responding. “You realize this goes against my personality. I’m not a gregarious person.”
Brie took his hand in both of hers. “I know, Sir. Hence the punishment aspect.”
“So you want me waving at tourists?”
“No,” she stated adamantly. “I want you waving at people who love the Disney experience. You will become part of their memories—forever.”
“I have to hand it to you, Brie. This is completely out of my comfort zone.”
“I know, Sir,” she said in a solemn voice, “but I trust you will bear your punishment with a heart full of repentance.”
Thane chuckled. “Do you have a sadistic streak, after all?”
Brie kept her solemn demeanor but he could see the doubt returning in her eyes. “You’ll do it?”
“That was never a question.”
Brie’s smile returned. “Then this is going to be fun.”
It was obvious in her excitement that she had forgotten the reason for the punishment, so he brought the conversation back to the heart of the issue. “I will complete your task because I broke a vital promise to you.”
Brie fell back into her role and asked for more clarification. “What promise did you break, Sir?”
“I failed to be completely open with you. My desire to protect you is not a valid reason for breaking that vow.”
Brie’s expression changed, becoming more somber. “We cannot let anything stand between us—even silence.”
Thane placed his hand on her stomach and looked at her with tender concern. “Agreed. We have too much at stake.”
Brie kissed him on the lips. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
He was determined to honor her simple request. Considering the damage he’d unintentionally caused by keeping Lilly’s threat from her, Thane appreciated that he was getting off relatively easy.
However, this punishment would be a challenge for him.
Thankfully, Brie only asked him to dress in a simple business suit—without the trademark ears—stating, “I want you to be humbled, Sir, nothing more.”
“I appreciate that, Mrs. Davis,”
As she helped slip his jacket on, Thane took her hand and pulled her closer. “I’m highly tempted to bend you over my knee and spank that sexy bottom of yours purely for the enjoyment of it.”
“That is a distinct possibility, Sir,” she purred as she pulled away, quickly adding, “But only after your punishment.”
It was enjoyable to watch Brie try to fulfill her role as the top in this situation, yet still fight the urge to please him as his submissive. It made her all that much more attractive.
“Your satisfaction is my primary goal tonight, téa.”
Brie blushed in response to his declaration, kindling his Dominant desires further.
For her sake, Thane swallowed down the humiliation of having to be wheeled through the park by one of the Disney staff members as Brie walked beside him. He was used to being in a position of power, and everything about being in a wheelchair grated against his sensibilities.
Thane bore the indignity of children’s curious stares, and the sympathetic glances of adults who recognized him as the crash victim/hero from the news, as they slowly made their way to the restaurant inside the park.
Looking at Brie, however, Thane was moved by how radiant she looked. Brie wore a set of Minnie Mouse ears with a red bow, her hair done up in pigtails. She even wore a flirtatious polka-dot dress reminiscent of the one she’d worn that day they’d met at the diner. Brie had done a magnificent job of capturing the look of his memory.
Knowing his duty was to take his punishment graciously made it slightly easier to bear when Brie took a seat, and the waiter pushed her chair in. That was his job as her Master.
Instead of being in control, Thane had to endure being pushed up to the table like a child. The man even laid his napkin on his lap, saying, “There you go, Mr. Davis. Enjoy your meal.”
Thane nodded to the man, but felt the eyes of others on him, and had to shake the feeling of mortification it inspired. This was not about him, or his inabilities, but the beautiful woman sitting across the table—and rectifying his mistake.
“Do you like it, Sir?” Brie asked excitedly, staring at the manmade river lazily flowing beside the restaurant.
The establishment itself was dark, as if they were sitting outside on a veranda. The sound of crickets and frogs playing in the background blended with a night sky illuminated above them.
“It’s quite unique,” he answered truthfully, impressed by the re-creation.
The waiter returned with a basket of rolls. Turning to Thane, he asked, “What would you like to drink?”
Brie piped up, “Sir, I googled this place and thoroughly studied the menu.”
Thane smiled. “Of course you did, my dear. Why don’t you order drinks for both of us?”
When the man returned with their drinks, Brie squealed in delight. “Look, the ice cubes really do glow in the dark.”
Thane held up his mint julep and stared at it with an amused smirk. “I can’t say I’ve ever had a drink that glowed.”
Brie suddenly set her glass down as an adorable look came over her face and Thane was reminded of that little girl years ago. Brie cried out, “Look, Sir. It’s our first boat!”
She started waving wildly at the people on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
A few boat riders waved back hesitantly. Thane looked around the restaurant and noticed Brie was the only diner waving. Understanding his role tonight, he lifted his hand and smiled as he joined Brie in waving at the people.
Even more boat riders responded, causing Brie to giggle in delight.
Seeing both of them greeting the boat riders inspired those around them to do the same. Soon half the diners were waving along with Brie, making those on the boat ride more animated and vocal.
When Brie glanced at him, her eyes were sparkling. “Sir, I just love this! It’s even more wonderful than I imagined.”
As the evening wore on, Thane noticed that every time Brie was about to take a bite from her plate, a new boat would float past. She instantly forgot about eating, putting her fork down to wave and say hello to anyone who drifted past.
Thane did not want his submissive to leave the restaurant hungry, so he fed her small bites between each boat that floated past. Seeing Brie so carefree moved him deeply. Despite all that had happened, she still held the childlike wonder and vitality that had attracted him to her.
A little boy yelled from a boat, “Throw a roll!”
Brie looked at Thane, lamenting, “I can’t aim worth anything.”
“Come on, please…” the kid begged as he slowly drifted past.
Without hesitation, Thane picked up one of the rolls in the basket, calculated the distance, and threw it into the boy’s open hands.
“Thank you, mister!” he cried, before taking a big bite.
Thane smiled and waved at him as if it was a perfectly natural thing to do.
When he looked back at Brie, Thane found her staring at him with tears in her eyes.
“What?” he chuckled.
“I don’t think I could love you more than I do right now.” Brie got up from her seat and walked over to him. She gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, but followed it up with a longer, more passionate one.
Again, Thane could feel all eyes on them, but this time he didn’t mind. Reaching up, he clasped her behind the neck and gave her a kiss she would not forget.
She stumbled back to her seat, staring at him amorously from across the table.
He felt humbled and intensely grateful to be here now. Somehow, by the grace of God, he’d survived the crash so that this moment could be part of his reality. Thane looked upward and mouthed two words, “Thank you.”
He sat with her and waved for another hour, in no hurry to rush when it was obvious how much she was enjoying herself. Afterward, he paid the waiter a generous tip for the extra time and asked the staff member who had helped him if he would take them to a gift shop on their way out.
“Are you getting a pair of ears to remember this night?” Brie asked as he studied the wide assortment of mouse ears.
“Ah, no. I’m actually getting a pair for your father.”
Brie broke out in a peal of laughter. “You’re really going through with it, huh?”
“Of course I am. What kind of son would I be if I forgot my parents at a time like this? Tell me, what do you think your mother would like?”
Brie looked at a glass counter and pointed to a Bambi music box with a butterfly on his tail. “She would love this.”
Thane looked up at the cashier. “Would you mind adding that, as well? Oh, and that stuffed animal over there.”
“Which one?” the cashier asked.
“The yellow dog.”
“Oh, you mean Pluto?”
“Yes. I happen to know someone who ‘just loves Pluto’.” He glanced over at Brie and winked at her.
When the young cashier tried to stuff Pluto into the plastic bag, Brie quickly intervened. “Pluto needs to be carried.”
The cashier smiled at Thane. “Guess I found your Pluto lover.”
“Indeed.”
They were almost out of the store when Thane spotted something on the far wall and asked to return to the cashier.
“I have one more purchase.”
“Certainly. What can I get for you?”
Thane smiled as he pointed at the display on the wall.
She walked over and picked up a pull-along baby Pluto and complimented him as she rang it up. “Excellent choice, sir.”
Brie made a cute little squeak beside him.
Thane told the cashier, “I have a sneaking suspicion our child will be a Pluto fan, as well.”
Brie suddenly accosted Thane, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him repeatedly. Before she pulled away, she whispered, “I forgive you, Sir.”
Thane took her hand and kissed it. “Thank you, Mrs. Davis.”
Once they arrived home, he reasserted his role as her Master—free from the guilt that had plagued him.
“Strip off those panties, little girl. This college boy is about to pinken that fine ass…”