The Art of Discipline: Coming Home

Coming Home is the fourth Dani and Emma book, and the last of this series to be published.  There are approx 7-8 more books worth of material, which I hope someday will also be published, but for now, this story is the end of the Sampson arc, and puts an end to the mess with Emma’s father and gives Dani a sense of family.

This book is mainly about healing and about dealing with the aftermath of an extremely stressful situation.  It’s also about Dani’s ‘coming home’ as she realizes just exactly where she belongs.  Out of all the books so far in the is series, I think this is my favorite.  In fact, I’m going to share a little snippet from it with you below.

 

Emma followed Dani a few minutes later and couldn’t help the smirk as she saw Dani shift in her corner.  Deciding to give her some time to think, Emma went about making herself more comfortable.   She changed into her own pajamas and then had a seat on the edge of the bed before calling Dani to her and patted the bed next to her in an invite to sit.  Dani did and soon found herself snuggling next to Emma and waiting for her sentence to be pronounced.

“I’ve been thinking,” Emma started.  “I was pretty upset with you earlier, but now that I’ve calmed down and had a chance to think about it, maybe you’re not in as big of trouble as I thought.”

“I’m not?” Dani blinked, looking up into green eyes.  “Does that mean you’re not gonna spank me?”

Emma chuckled.  “I said I was didn’t I?”

“Yes,” Dani answered, her lip sticking out in a pout.

“Danielle,” Emma’s voice dropped, “I can’t say that I’m not disappointed in your behavior today.  You ran away, again, and although I found you, leaving was a clear violation of your grounding.  Also, the attitude and the lie you told me today wasn’t exactly stellar behavior.   I so want to trust you Danielle, but you keep pushing things.

“So, here is what I decided.  I am going to paddle you tonight, and in addition to that, you’ve lost TV privileges again, at least through the end of the week.  And,” Emma continued, holding up a hand to silence Dani’s protests, “If there are any more practical jokes during the busy season, the tanning you’re getting tonight will feel like a warm-up, capisce?”

Dani couldn’t help and inward smile at the Zio impression, even though she knew Emma was serious.  “Capisce, I understand, Emma.”

“Good girl,” Emma praised, kissing Dani’s head.  “Now, why don’t you go fetch me the hairbrush, so we can continue our discussion?”

Dani frowned, but got up without complaint and retrieved the hairbrush from its home on top of their dresser.  Handing it back to Emma, she wasn’t surprised to find her bottoms quickly reduced to her knees as Emma helped her over her lap.  Grimacing as Emma rubbed her now bare backside with the palm of her hand, she crossed her arms under her chin and waited for the inevitable.

The spanking started with the usual warm-up and was nearly identical to what she received earlier in the kitchen.  She was sniffling and squirming by the time it was done and Emma was ready to move on.  Feeling the coolness of the hairbrush rub her backside, Dani quieted and tensed again.  Emma tapped her gently twice before pulling back and starting the fire anew.

Dani was crying honest tears once she was finally released.   Instead of curling up on Emma’s lap however, she found herself lying on her side, Emma gently spooning her as she whispered words of encouragement and love in Dani’s ear.  Kissing Dani’s neck and throat, Emma continued to comfort her until she settled.

Dani eventually calmed, her sniffling dying and her body becoming still and silent. Thinking that Dani had fallen asleep moved to get up, and was almost scared half-to-death by bright blue eyes.

“You’re not leaving are you?”

“Of course not, I just thought you fell asleep.  I was just going to grab a book.”

Dani nodded and looked at the clock.  “It’s still early, do I have to go to sleep?”

Emma stopped and looked back over her shoulder.  Raising an eyebrow at the look she was getting from Dani.  “I suppose not,” she relented. “I guess there are better things to do than read.”

“I can think of a couple,” Dani smiled back.

“Only two?”

“Well, I’m still grounded that limits my choices.”

Emma laughed at that.  “C’mere,” she then beckoned.  “You are still grounded, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you,” she added pausing to give Dani a kiss.

“Hmmm,” Dani smiled.  “I guess I’ll just have to get creative then.”

“I’m looking forward to that,” Emma teased.