LittleRorie

Chapter Nineteen After a bit of backseat driving Jen managed to find Tony’s Tavern and I was excited. Not because I was going to get ice cream, but because I could finally be me at Tony’s and get treated like my age, also most of everyone knows me here. The only thing was that I needed to go pee again and we were just pulling into the parking lot. Jen pulling me along while I tried to do my business back at the museum kind of made me not able to finish. I did not want to have what happened at the museum happen here, so maybe if I can get myself to just finish going while I am in the privacy of the SUV, I will be ok. Jen and Isabella were still arguing over my choice of restaurant but that left me in relatively chaotic peace. As Jen turned into the parking lot, I mustered up the courage, closed my eyes, and did my best to go potty once more. I knew Jen parked and even shut the engine off, but I was still trying to concentrate on forcing myself to pee, so I did not have to do it later. I turned my face to see Jen opening my door, “Look at my baby, you’re such a good little boy,” Jen said happily. “Do I really have a potty face?” I asked, slightly embarrassed that she knew what I was doing. “Yes, you do,” Jen said still smiling at me, “but it’s only because you are trying too hard, I am sure it will fade as you get used to peeing your pull-ups.” Jen did not move to unbuckle me; she only reached in and grabbed the diaper bag that was sitting next to my car seat. “You done, baby?” Jen asked, patiently waiting for me to finish. I just sighed and shook my head, yes, giving her the cue to finally get me unbuckled and out of the car seat. Before Jen shut the door, I handed her my bunny so she could put her in the SUV. Unlike Isabella Jen did not make a fuss, she just took Lady Frankie from me. “Jennifer, I still do not like this place, the atmosphere is not good for Charlie,” I heard Isabella say as Jen closed my door and took my hand before walking to the door of the restaurant. “If you don’t like it you can stay in the vehicle, Charlie is an adult and this place is just fine,” Jen said with a harsh voice. I was a bit worried now they were still arguing outside of the SUV. “You did not say anything when I said he was a child and paid for the tickets at the museum,” Isabella quipped. “I was about to before Charlie blatantly called me Mommy in front of the ticket counter and distracted me,” Jen said, arguing back at her mother. Wait, how is this my fault? I stopped where I was, which was in the middle of the parking lot, and put a scowl on my face. I know I told myself I was done protesting the behavior I was getting today but was not going to accept I was to blame. I will not take this anymore, this had to stop here and now. Jen instantly felt my arm tug on hers when I was not walking, causing her to look back at me and see the anger painted on my face. “Oh honey, I did not mean to. . .” Jen said, realizing what she said only a moment ago. I wanted to rip my hand from hers but that would not be wise. “You two need to quit arguing over me, it is ridiculous. First, it was an accident calling you Mommy in the museum, our new rules are causing some odd habits to form,” I said to Jen before trying to split my focus to both titans that stood in front of me. “Second, I am an adult, that is it, there is nothing to argue about. Jen, you promised me a day that I could be treated as an adult, and outside of my pull-ups and stupid car seat I do not see a reason to not allow that.” I said a little heated. I did not mean to get mad but when I was getting blamed for this mess, I was not going to take it, not here, this place knew me all too well. “As far as you Isabella, you scare me, from what Jen has said you have threatened my career, and I don’t appreciate it. It is Jen and I’s signature on our contract, not yours. I am her little, I listen to her, not you. Jen also promised me that this would not come between me and my career,” I said firmly as the emotions from last week started to come back to me. When I get mad, I generally can keep a level head and use my words to my benefit. Jen took after her mother Isabella, and when they got mad, all they saw was red. When I stood there and held my ground, Isabella just dropped her jaw and stared at me, dumbfounded. Unfortunately, that did not last, and I could see the anger oozing out of her ears. At this moment I was starting to regret my small little outburst, hopefully, Jen was not mad at what I said and would take my side. As soon as I saw Isabella's finger point at me, I felt Jen pull me behind her. “Do not get mad at Charlie,” I heard Jen say, as I tried to peek around her, “He is not wrong.” I watched as Isabella’s finger moved from me to Jen and then firmly said, “Fine, but you and I are going to have words later.” I watched Isabella turn around and continue to the restaurant. Jen turned around and squatted down to look at me in the eyes. “I am proud of you for standing up for yourself,” Jen told me as she straightened the wrinkles out of my shirt, “But you need to let me deal with my mother.” “Thanks, but why did you say it was my fault?” I said in response, still slightly irritated from the argument. “I did not mean for it to come out that way, I was trying to make a point and it just came out wrong,” Jen said, “I am sorry. I did want you to have fun today.” “I am having fun, I just hate you fighting over me, it’s not fun,” I said as I watched Jen put her hand on my pull-up. “You did need to go didn’t you,” Jen said looking back at me, “You’re going to need a new pull-up when we get inside.” And just like that, I went from irritated to worried. “But I was trying to prevent from being dragged into the bathroom,” I said with a slight whine in my voice. “And is Isabella going to yell at me?” “I am sorry, baby, but your pull-up is saturated. They are not like your diapers; they cannot hold that much.” Jen said as she stood back up and led us to the front door of the restaurant. “And Mother will not yell at you, at least not in public, but I am sure you got her mad. She will cool off though, she has her reputation to worry about.” As Jen and I walked through the door to Tony’s Tavern the hostess just smiled at us and asked, “You are with the lady that just walked in before you correct,” as she pointed to Isabella sitting in a booth across the room. “You would be correct,” Jen said before asking her own question. “Do you mind if we use the bathroom really quick before we sit down?” “Oh, of course, it’s just over there ma’am,” the hostess said, pointing towards the bathroom doors. “Thanks,” Jen said as she pulled me along towards the bathroom. Jen kept a firm grasp on my hand as she tugged me to walk in front of her. I wanted to resist but I also did not want to make a scene. “Jen please,” I said quietly. My plead was only met with Jen moving her hands to my shoulders so she could make sure I did not escape. “Charlie, quit fighting, you are only drawing attention to yourself,” Jen responded in a matched quiet tone. I quickly looked around to see that luckily no one was looking in our direction. I did my best not to fight Jen, but I still did not feel comfortable. I watched Jen reach over me, open the door to the ladies’ room, and push me inside, luckily, I heard Jen lock the door behind us. I took a quick look around before I turned to look at Jen and whispered “I am a boy, I am not supposed to be in here.” Jen just smiled at me before she set my diaper bag on the changing station in the room and then turned her attention to me and pulled my pants down, revealing my soaked pull-up. “What if someone says something,” I asked. “Then I will tell them I was helping you change your diaper,” Jen said as she motioned for me to step out of my shorts. “But I am not wearing a diaper, I am only wearing a pull-up,” I said as I stood there letting Jen rip my used pull-up off and start cleaning me. “Yes honey, you are in pull-ups, but to others, they are just pull-on diapers,” Jen said nonviolently as she balled up the wipes in the pull-up and tossed them in the trash. I try and cover myself with my hand but quickly get my hands lightly smacked. “Charlie, please, quit playing with yourself.” “Pull-ups suck,” I started to say before reaching over to use Jen to help me keep my balance and step into my new pull-up. “I thought they would be better than diapers, but they are worse. You have not stopped fussing over my pull-ups all day, nothing but ‘Charlie let potty, Charlie you need a new pull-up, Charlie lets potty again, oh new pull-up,” I wined. “Charlie,” Jen started to say as she held onto my shorts, making me stand there in just my polo shirt and pull-up. “You are the one who suggested wearing them and I was trying to listen. I found a way to listen and help you out, but if you are insisting you just skip to diapers, I am ok with that too,” Jen said with an oddly serious face, looking me in the eyes. It did not take long before I diverted my eyes giving her the win to the staring contest. “Shorts please,” I whine, only making me feel smaller than I wanted to. Jen only smiled and held them open for me to step into allowing her to pull them up and button them for me. Jen guided me to the sink so we both could wash our hands and then she grabbed my diaper bag and ushered me out. With a glance I spotted no one standing in line to use the bathroom, giving me a sigh of relief, allowing us to go to our table with no issues. When we got to the table, I got put on the inside of the booth with Jen next to me as we both sat across from a highly agitated Isabella. “What took so long,” Isabella said in a suspiciously light tone. I hated this animosity in the air between us, it made me feel uncomfortable. As I scooted in the booth I remembered why Alice and I always sat at a normal chair and table, the booth was a little too tall for me and made me want to sit on my knees to help me reach the table more comfortably. “Charlie needed to go to the bathroom,” Jen said in defense as she set my diaper bag between me and the wall. Having Isabella and Jen to be spatting back and forth so soon only made me roll my eyes and slouch in the booth. “Oh, and you needed to go in there with him?” I watched Isabella say pretending to be shocked. I thought Jen said she was not going to do this in public. “Mother please,” Jen said in a serious tone. “Do not do this, not here. I thought you wanted Charlie to have a good time and trust you more.” “Hello, my name is Mike, I will be your server today,” I heard Mike say with a positive attitude before I sat up to look at him as he handed us the menus, “Oh, Charlie, nice to see yeah again. No Alice this time?” I was so pleased that it was Mike as our server, he was a cool person to hang around with. “Not today, Alice kicked me out of the office and told me to take a vacation, this is my wife Jennifer and my Mother-in-law Isabella,” I said, trying to be polite and introduce my company. Mike's eye lit up as soon as I said ‘Jennifer’, making me just smile and shake my head. “About darn time you bring her in,” Mike said to me before turning to Jen. “Your pictures do not do you justice; you are simply gorgeous.” “Excuse me, sir, she is married,” Isabella said, making a snarky comment. As soon as I heard that I saw Mike turn to Isabella in a surprised manner. “Oh sweetie, I am too, his name is Jake. I was just trying to give Mrs. Jennifer here a compliment,” Mike said in a matter-of-fact tone before putting his hands on his hips and turning to me, “What yeah having to drink today, Charlie, sounds like you could use a beer.” “I would love one but Jen asked me to not drink, so how about an iced tea,” I said with a smile, admiring the no ‘F’s’ given attitude Mike had. Mike was one of the first servers that I made friends with when I first started to go here, there was nothing he could do or say that would offend me, and he also often used the same terms of endearment with me as Jen does. It never bothered me. I just knew he cared for me and was my friend, and so was his husband. “Honey, tea has caffeine in it, and it is passed lunch,” Mike said sarcastically. I honestly did not know if I wanted to laugh or blush, Jen was nearly about to say the same thing before Mike spoke before her. I watched Jen look surprised and turn to Mike as he looked at her and explained, “Don’t worry, Alice has yelled at Charlie numerous times about that and about getting food.” “Thanks, Mike,” I said, pretending to be offended. “You're most welcome, honey, how about I get you a Sprite instead?” Mike said with a smile. “Well, I am glad Charlie is in good hands when I am not with him,” Jen said happily, “I will take a water please.” “Sure thing,” Mike said before turning to Isabella, “What about you sweetie,” “I will take a martini,” Isabella said sharply. “Well let me get these for you as you two look at the menu,” Mike said before turning to me, “Charlie, you want the usual?” “Please,” I said. Jen did a glance at me before turning to Mike in confusion. “Catfish nuggets and hushpuppies,” Mike said quickly to Jen, reading the question she had on her face, “The little guy only ordered one other thing before going back to the same old thing.” “You know what that sounds good, just make it two please,” Jen said with a smile. “Ok then,” Mike said before turning to Isabella, “would you like to order food now too or do you want a minute?” “Just a martini for now,” Isabella said holding up her menu. It only took Mike a few steps to leave us and Isabella turned to us both with an agitated face and commented, “Like I said, the atmosphere is not good here,” and then went back to her menu. “Well, I like the guy,” Jen said trying to not laugh at her mother, before turning to look at me. “At least I don’t have to worry about Charlie breaking rules here.” I could only roll my eyes when Jen said that last part. “By the way, what desert were you wanting? The way you said it back in the SUV made it sound amazing?” I eagerly picked up the menu and flipped it open and pointed to a photo. “It’s a small scoop of vanilla ice cream with half of an apple seasoned and wrapped in a pie crust that is baked to perfection with caramel drizzled over it all,” I said looking up at Jen, trying to describe how tasty this dessert was, “I can still get it right?” As soon as I said that I glanced at Isabella, only to have her comment before I could turn back to Jen. “Don’t look at me, look at your Mommy,” Isabella said sharply, making sure I knew she was still upset at my spat in the parking lot. Her comment made me look back at Jen quickly. I felt confident when I said all that but now that I had to sit and deal with what I said I started to feel bad about even bringing it all up. “I promised you ice cream, so yes. But would you mind sharing a bit of the apple pie, it sounds delicious.” Jen said with a smile, as she scooted me closer to her so she could wrap her arm around me. “I would love to share it,” I said as I leaned into Jen to soak up her warmth. It did not take long before Mike came back with all our drinks, bringing his energy along with him. “Water, Sprite, and one martini,” Mike said as he set our drinks down before turning to Isabella, “Sweetie, did you find anything you wanted to eat?” “Just a house salad,” Isabella said sharply. “And what kind of dressing would. . .” Mike started to say before getting cut off. “Ranch will be fine,” Isabella said quickly, handing Mike her menu. “Oh, and Mike can you put an order in for one of your apple pie deserts,” Jen said sweetly as she pointed to the dessert, I showed her. “Sure thing, honey,” Mike said with a smile, taking Jen and I’s menu. “Your food should not take long, and I will put your dessert after you get your food, so you have time to eat before it comes out.” When Mike left the table there was an awkward silence between the three of us. Jen kept her arm around me, which made me feel safe but at the same time small. The confidence level I had outside was quickly draining and I could not describe the feeling I had. I looked over to Isabella, but she was just looking around sipping her drink. When I looked up to Jen she just smiled before she noticed something I couldn’t. “What’s wrong, honey,” she said as I watched her smile fade. I just shook my head and away, not wanting to talk about the feeling I had. “Here, take a drink,” she said handing me my drink. I only took a sip before putting it back on the table. “So, Charlie, did you have fun at the museum,” Isabella said flatly, making me look back over to her. I didn’t know why she was trying to have small talk with me, but her delivery was very awkward. “I did, thank you,” I told her, trying to just be polite. “Just so you are aware, the conversation Jennifer and I had last weekend was not meant for your little ears to hear,” Isabella said in her flat tone. I nodded in response, not sure how to take it. “Mother please,” Jen said quietly, causing Isabella to look at her and hold her hand up. “No, I just want to make sure Charlie understood,” Isabella said before turning back to me. “I know you are an adult, but it’s hard for me to see it. To me, you’re my daughter’s little boy, and that makes me see you as my grandbaby. I am a little overprotective, I was the same way when Jennifer was little, but I expect you to behave like a good little boy,” she said to me, softening her tone a little bit. Her little speech did not help me at all, if it was not for Jen’s arm around me, I would just curl up and hide. I did not lie before; she did scare me. I did, however, reach for my drink and took a long sip to give me an excuse to not talk. “Can we please change subjects,” Jen said, noticing my lack of voice. Luckily Isabella did just that and started to talk about her and Nichola’s work, which I did not want any part of. I liked talking business but just not with Isabella, leaving it a two-way conversation. With both distracted I started to look around for Jen’s phone, hoping I could use that to entertain myself. I could tell it was not in Jen’s pockets and it was not on the table, maybe she had it in the diaper bag. I slowly pulled my diaper bag close to me, glancing at Jen to make sure she stayed engaged in Isabella’s conversation so I could rummage through it unnoticed. I was fully engrossed in looking in my diaper bag, trying to find Jen’s phone. The only thing I could see though was only one pull-up left with two spare diapers, baby wipes, rash cream, my pacifier, a set of clean clothes, and Jen’s wallet. Out of no wear, I heard Mike's voice, making me jump and zip the bag up as quickly as I could. I could tell Jen noticed my jump because she giggled at me, Mike however, I was hoping to be busy putting our food down to notice anything. “What yeah digging for, babe,” Jen said as I turned to the table and looked at her and Mike. “Probably something he shouldn’t be having according to his red face,” Mike said with a smile. “Jennifer, if you need anything let me know. Charlie normally needs two things of tartar sauce with his fish, but I can get you catchup, hot sauce, or anything else if you need.” Jen Just turned and looked at Mike, “I should be good, thanks,” “Well, I hope you enjoy your food, I have already put your dessert order in so it will be out shortly,” Mike said as he left us to our food. I grabbed a catfish nugget, dipped it in the tartar sauce, and shoved it in my mouth as I watched Isabella drown her salad in her ranch dressing. “Mmm, this is really good,” I heard Jen say, causing me to look up at her, watching her cover her mouth between bites of her catfish. “Know you know why I order it all the time,” I said with food in my mouth, causing me to get a stern look from Jen. I swallowed my food quickly, causing me to reach for my drink to help it go down. “I did not think I would have to tell you but please slow down, you are going to choke,” Jen said in a motherly tone looking down at me. Jen must have noticed how close my food and drink were to the edge of the table and scooted it back a little. Her comment only made me feel sheepish, but her pushing my plate and drink only made me whine slightly. As I started to pull my feet in to sit on Jen noticed and said, “Charlie, are you ok?” “These booths are just at an awkward height,” I admitted as I got myself adjusted. I looked over to Jen and I could tell she wanted to put me on her lap, but I was grateful she didn’t. I glanced over at Isabella, but she was just silently judging, which was fine if she kept it to herself. I went back to eating my food but saw Mike wander back over to the table. “How is the food?” Mike said looking at Jennifer and Isabella. “Good thanks, the catfish is amazing,” Jen said smiling back at Mike. Isabella just ignored Mike altogether and took another sip of her martini. I was going to say soothing and even held my finger up but Mike spoke before I could swallow my food. “Don’t worry, I know you like it. Would you like a booster seat shorty?” Mike said smiling at me, causing me to scowl at him and switch from holding up the index finger to the middle finger at him. “Charlie,” Jen said noting my rude gesture, causing me to instantly regret my act and retract my arm. “Don’t worry, Honey, he knows I am giving him a hard time.” Mike started to say with a smile. “But the last time Alice and him sat in a booth she made him take it and he was unhappy the whole time,” Mike said with a giggle. “I may be short, but I am not a child,” I quickly say with an empty mouth, trying to defend myself. “Charlie, there is nothing wrong with a booster seat,” Jen said holding back her laugh. “Alice said nearly the same thing,” Mike said, “Your desert is almost done, let me go get it for you. It did not take long to finish my food, there was only a handful of nuggets and two hushpuppies, but Jen kept her eye on me the whole time, just smiling at my frustration. I watched Mike slowly walk back with another plate in his hand. “Here yeah go,” Mike said with a smile, “You want me to take your two’s plate?” “Shure,” Jen said as she stacked my plate on hers moving them out of the way as Mike sat the desert down. Isabella handed Mike her plate as well, though a bit more rudely. “Thanks, Mike,” I said as I started to reach for the spoon sitting on the plate. Right before I reached it, I felt Jen pick me up and scoot me onto her lap. “Hey,” I said a little more loudly than I wanted to, causing Mike to giggle at me. “You said you didn’t want a booster seat,” Mike said with a smile. “And here is the check, please take your time, and thank you for coming in,” I watched Jen’s arm reach around me, pick the spoon up, and present it to me. I could not see Jen’s face, but I knew she was smiling and eating this up, I knew she could not resist putting me on her lap as soon as she saw me struggle. “Mommy, please,” I whined quietly to where only Jen could hear me. Isabella may not have heard what I said but she looked in my direction with a curious look on her face. “Baby are you getting fussy,” Jen whispered in my ear from behind me, making me realize what she was asking. I just very gently took the spoon from her and proceeded to get a fill it up with Ice cream. Jen and I took turns eating the dessert, but halfway she hogged control of the spoon and insisted she be the one to give me bites. Every time I resisted or whined, she would only shush me and encourage me by saying ‘bite’ like I needed encouragement to eat. We were down to the last bite before I heard a click which made me turn and see Mike there snapping a picture of me sitting on Jen’s lap being fed ice cream. “You two are too cute,” Mike said happily. I tried to say something, but Jen just piled the last bit of apple pie in my mouth. “Shh, eat your food,” I heard Jen say above me in a playful tone. “You know Mike, if I knew you and Charlie were friends, I would have invited you over for dinner or drinks a long time ago,” Jen said to Mike, leaving me to eat my dessert. As soon as I was done and about to say something Jen put the last bit of ice cream in my mouth, only to slightly miss and have some of it on my face. I sat there getting mad, letting my hands drop to my side, making me notice that Jen was hiding her phone under her thy on the opposite side I was sitting on. “Well Charlie has my number,” Mike said in response to Jennifer as she just smiled and wiped my face with a napkin. Jen and Mike made pleasantries, I slowly reached to grab Jen’s phone. As soon as I had it pulled out Jen just took it from me. “No-no, Charlie,” Jen said to me as she put it in the diaper bag that was out of my reach. She also took that moment to pull her wallet out and give it to Mike, “Here, yeah go. And I will be giving you and your husband a buzz.” Jen said. “Any time,” Mike said with a smile, “Let me take care of the bill for you real quick, I will be right back.” As Mike walked off, I just folded my arms and found, causing Isabella to smile and giggle at me. “You better turn the frown upside down,” Jen said poking me in the rib, making me jerk and squeal. “Ok, please just stop,” I said grabbing Jen’s hand in defense. Mike was back soon after and Jen took her card back and put it back in her wallet. I also took that time to shimmy my way off Jen’s lap. “Thanks, Mike, the food was good.” “You’re welcome, I will see you next time buddy,” Mike said with a smile and a pat on the head. “You make sure to keep him in line,” Mike said to Jen as she got out of the booth herself with the diaper bag in her hands. “Isabella, it was a pleasure,” Mike said lastly before walking back to check on another table. Jen followed me out of the restaurant, letting me walk without any hand-holding or guiding hand. It was a kind gesture but halfway to the SUV I started to look around to make sure she was still there. I saw her walking beside me only one step behind and as soon as I made eye contact with her, she just smiled and gently put her hand on my back to let me know she was there. I walked over to the door to the back seat and reached to open it as soon as I heard the door unlocked from Jen pressing the button on the key fob. I was going to get in my car seat myself but as soon as I grabbed my bunny, I felt Jen lift me and put me in my seat herself. “Mommy,” I whined, wanting to do it myself. “You’re getting awfully fussy,” Jen said as she started to buckle me in, noticing Isabella getting in herself. I watched her move my arms under the harness, trying to keep my face neutral. “You want your binky for the drive home?” Jen asked me, as she put the diaper bag beside me. “No thank you,” I said, trying to convince her I did not need it, holding Lady Frankie close. Jen just smiled at me and shut my door once I was all buckled in. Jen made her way to the driver’s seat and quickly buckled in herself. Jen opted to listen to the radio instead of talking on the drive home, which was ok for me, I was not in the mood to listen to them argue anymore. After a few miles the warmth of the sun, a full belly, and the soft rhythmic motions of the road made my eyes start to get heavy. I was not wanting to fall asleep, but I was having a hard time trying to fight it. Eventually, I just gave in and thought to myself, I will just close my eyes and not sleep. Was listening to the radio and paying attention to the sounds of the road so I figured that I was still awake but before I knew it, I jolted my eyes open and jumped as I heard my door open. I was confused, why was Jen standing there reaching to undo my harness? With a quick look out the other windows, I noticed that we were home, and Isabell was not with us, or so it seemed. “You have a good nap?” Jen asked, drawing my attention back to her. “I was not sleeping,” I said with a lisp, realizing I had my pacifier in my mouth. I went to reach for it, but Jen pulled me out of the car seat and caused my arm to slip through the harness before I could pull it out. “Baby, you were out like a light,” Jen said setting me on my two feet. I just handed my pacifier to her, not wanting anything to do with it. “You hold on to it baby, you look like you may need it still,” Jen told me, not taking my pacifier from me. “But I don’t want it,” I whined, making me realize I was only fueling her cause. I closed my hand, keeping my pacifier in one hand and my bunny held by my other arm. I took a step back as Jen reached in, grabbed my diaper bag and my model airplane, and then led me to the front door. “Baby, I know you say you’re not tired, but you hardly slept last night and only took one small nap that ended in you falling on the floor, and another small nap in the car,” Jen said, holding the front door open for me. “Think whatever you want but I do not want you falling asleep before bedtime.” “I’m not tired, Mommy, I promise,” I said slipping my shoes off lazily and walking to the couch to sit down. Jen was not far behind me, but she did not sit on the couch next to me, she just gave me a small kiss on the four head and felt the front of my pull-up before moving to the stairs and going up. Once Jen was up the stairs, I tossed my pacifier onto the coffee table and then looked down at myself, feeling my dry pull-up. As I sat there on the couch, holding my bunny, I was not tired, but I was frustrated. I was supposed to be treated as an adult today, not like some reverse potty-training toddler. With that thought, I got up and started to make my way to the home office, Jen may have taken my computer away, but I still have hers to use. About halfway to the office, I spotted my potty chart that is on the fridge, realizing that I get to put stickers on my chart today, I went potty in public today. I quickly shook my head, trying to get the little thoughts out of my head, I wanted to be an adult. I walked into the office and made my way to the desk, looking back at the door with a small feeling of butterflies in my stomach. Why was I getting this feeling, I was not doing anything wrong, I just wanted to check my email and stuff. I crawled into the desk chair, put my bunny on my lap, and moved the mouse around to wake up the computer. It did not take long for me to log on and open my email. Alice must have been doing just fine without me, there were just a few emails in my inbox, just the normal stuff: flight reports, expenses, and a few emails from a couple of pilots. As I was reading one of my emails, I noticed Jen walk into the office, I instantly started closing my browser, so she did not know I was going through my email. Just as Jen rounded the desk, I had the computer showing only the desktop and I quickly put my hands in my lap. I know it was not very smooth and I look as suspicious as I feel. Why did I feel this way, I should not be feeling like a naughty little boy doing things behind Mommy’s back, I was just checking my email like a normal adult. I looked at Jen and saw a smile on her face as she clipped something to my shirt. “There, now you won’t lose it,” Jen said as I looked down to see my pacifier dangling from its leash that was now secured onto my shirt. I looked up to protest but when I did Jen was staring down into my eyes, making me more nervous. “Are you done with the computer, sweetie?” Jen asked softly, making me nod my head yes as I diverted my eyes. “I am sorry Mommy,” I told her trying to get rid of the guilt I was feeling. Jen did not answer me right away, she just picked me up and sat down on the computer chair I was just sitting on, placing me on her lap so I was facing her. Jen looked at me and kissed me on the forehead. “Why are you saying sorry,” Jen asked as she straightened the ears of my bunny. “I was on the computer,” I started to say, admitting to what I thought was wrong, “I was checking my email.” I don’t know why I felt like I did wrong, but I did. I just hugged my bunny and leaned into Jen, trying to comfort myself. “Baby, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Jen said as she wrapped one of her arms around me. “Why would I be mad at you for checking your email?” “You took my phone and computer away so I would focus on my vacation,” I told her, trying to convince her that I was right about being bad. “I did take those things away and it did help you focus on your vacation,” Jen said as I heard her starting to mess with the computer. “But at no time I did not say you could not check your email, I just wanted to make you work for it. Make you slow down and think,” I heard her explain. “But, I thought,” I started to say, trying to recall last Friday. The more I thought about it I realized she was right. “Mommy, I just wanted to be an adult,” I started to tell her, “I want to do adult things.” At that moment I felt the need to potty again, all the soda at the restaurant was catching up to me. “I am an adult,” I said, letting my emotions get the better of me again. Just then I heard soft music playing from the computer’s speakers. “Oh, honey, you are an adult,” Jen said wrapping her other arm around me, “But you are also little.” Yeah, little, I am sitting on my wife’s lap with a stuffed bunny wrapped in my arms being soothed by her, feeling guilty for doing an adult thing without permission. And on top of it all I needed to potty, and I was expected to just use my pull-up like a baby. “I don’t want to be little,” I said softly. “Why are you so resistant to being little,” Jen asked as she caressed my cheek. “You fight being little so much. Today I saw you just be yourself and you looked so happy, both at the museum and the restaurant.” Jen just held me for a little bit, rocking my back and forth in the chair, letting the words just sink in. “Sweetie, you are just tired.” “I am not,” I told her, enjoying her arms around me. I always loved cuddles from Jen, they always made me feel better. As I sat there comfortably, I just went ahead and just wet my pull-up. There was no reason to hold it, I was not going to be using a potty, and I did not want to get up. I know Jen had to feel my pull-up get warm, but she did not say a word, she just held me. “What if you made another little friend, someone to play with,” Jen said making me lean back and look at her. “Please, no,” I started to say, trying to imagine what Jen had up her sleeve, “I don’t need to have a playdate with another little.” “Just think about it,” Jen said as she leaned forward and turned off the music that was playing. “But how about we go put some stickers on your potty chart,” Jen said happily, doing her best to divert the conversation and not saying yes or no to the playdate I did not want. Jen just patted my butt, giving me the signal to get down.

When I was younger I was constantly ashamed of being a diaper lover, went through and purged a lot. It was something that I never let myself understand what it all meant and my true emotions about it all. It was not till I met my Wife that I did not learn to love myself, accept my love of diapers, and explore my little side. I have learned to be open to select people around me, generally, the ones who I keep close to and value as true friends. The Kink scene also helped me find a good group of nonjudgmental people. Any more I find myself diapered more so than wearing underwear. One thing that I notice is that most people will not say anything and will not care, but I do like to keep my little side away from my profession.

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I have chapter 19 ready to post, and will be posted by the end of the day. The short break I took in writing turned out a little bit longer than I expected. It almost felt as if my vision for the story was cut and it has been hard for me to get back down into the groove. To be honest I did not originally have a full plot for the story lined out before I started to write this, which makes me feel like it is making it harder. In the next story I want to write I plan on doing everything a bit differently.

Chapter Eighteen I followed Jen out of the bathroom, very much aware of my pull-up feeling thicker than it did before my nap. I was used to wearing them at night and stuff but during the day it was still something to get used to. The pull-ups were great when they were dry, they almost felt like normal underwear in a way, but when they get wet you can tell they are practically diapers. As we made it to the front door I started to slow down and look behind me, wondering where Isabella went, she was still coming, right? I took too long looking behind me because I soon felt my hand being taken by Jen, tugging me along. I did not resist and just turned to follow, making our way back to her SUV. I hated my newly assigned seat in her vehicle, it stole my independence and sense of adulthood. “Mommy,” I said meekly, trying to get her attention, there had to be a way around me sitting in the car seat. “No, Charlie,” Jen said simply, answering my question without me even asking any. “But I did not even ask you anything,” I retorted, confused about how she had an answer to my unasked questions. She can’t do that, it’s not fair. As we were making our way to the passenger side of the SUV, Jen turned around and picked me up. It’s futile for me to resist, it will only get me in trouble and earn me less adult time than I am already lacking. I tried not to pout but my frown was hard to turn around. “I know you don’t like your car seat, baby,” Jen said sympathetically while opening the door, and setting me inside. “But you need to get used to it. To be honest, I have been thinking about even getting you at least a booster seat for your car and jeep.” I don’t know if I was mad or sad at that idea, I have been driving without it just fine. “Please, no. I don’t need it,” I said, pleading for my adulthood not to be stolen away from me. “Charlie,” Jen said, trying to soothe me and stop my catastrophizing thoughts. “The booster seat is just to help you sit higher; help you see over the hood of your car.” I knew Jen meant well but how was I not supposed to assume she just wanted to take my adulthood away? She promised that I would be treated like an adult today and I have only been treated the opposite. I did not cry, the nap helped me gain control of the emotions that had been running loose as of late, but I still was not a happy camper and I think Jen could still tell. “Baby, safety does not have an age, and if you were just a little bigger, I would not make a fuss about it.” “Then why do I feel like you are treating me like your toddler?” I asked, trying not to sound any more childish than I already felt. “You said you would treat me like an adult today.” “I am not sorry that you feel that way because you are my little boy as much as my adult husband.” Jen retorted, “There are going to be some things that will not change, your size, your need to be diapered, and me making sure you are staying healthy. I will treat you like an adult as much as I can, but you need to realize that you agreed to all this.” Her words were sharp but honest. Jen has always been upfront with me, and from the beginning, she told me what she wanted, and I agreed every step of the way. Getting put back in diapers full-time was a bigger step than I realized. I just diverted my eyes, letting Jen finish putting my harness on and buckling me in. Jen just kissed me on the cheek, and put my diaper bag next to me before shutting my door and walking around to the driver’s side. I looked over to my diaper bag and could not tell if Lady Frankie was in there. I know I took her inside with me, and I had her when Jen picked me up and was rocking me to sleep. Did I leave her in the lounge? “Mommy, I don’t have Lady Frankie,” I said worried as she got in the SUV. “That’s not an adult worry you have there,” Jen said sarcastically as she put her seatbelt on and turned over the engine. As the engine came to life, I saw Isabella walking around to the passenger side with giant sunglasses on, holding on to my bunny and something else I could not see. I watched Jen’s head follow her mother’s movements, smiling as Isabella got in the car and buckled up herself. “Thank you, Mother, someone thought we were going to forget Lady Frankie,” Jen said, relaying my recent worry. I could not tell if she was mocking me or trying to instill in me that I was very much as little as she said I was. “Of course,” I heard Isabella say nonchalantly as Jen took my bunny from her and handed it to me with a smile. I took Lady Frankie from Jen, turning my pouty frown into a scowl. Before Jen or I could exchange any words, Isabella said, “Oh, and here is some water for little Charlie.” I started to roll my eyes, what happened to her just calling me Charlie? Could she not resist calling me a little? “Oh, Mother, I wished you did not put it that,” Jen said, making me wonder what they were talking about. “You told me to get him a bottle of water, so he had a drink for the trip. I thought he might enjoy a sippy cup versus a bottle,” Isabella said defensively. “A regular bottle, not a baby bottle. Charlie is already self-conscious about how he is getting treated; this is only going to make him fussier,” Jen said, though I could not tell if she was defending me or just patronizing me. “I’m sorry, I did grab an extra bottle of water just in case he needed more, just give him that,” I heard Isabella suggest. Jen took the bottle of water from Isabella and handed it to me, but as I took it, I saw Isabella put a brightly colored sippy in a cupholder in the center console. At that moment I softened my scowl trying to portray to Jen that I was sorry for being ‘fussy’, her word, not mine. I did earn a sympathetic smile before she turned forward and shifted into reverse to start our journey. It was weird sitting in the back seat again, especially in a car seat. I felt like I was not necessarily ignored, but out of the main circle of conversation. Though it only took Jen five minutes to notice I just put my water in my cupholder and did not drink a drop, making me believe she had ulterior motives in having me drink from a normal transparent bottle of water. “Charlie, I would like for you to have that drink before we get to the museum,” I heard her say, making me grab the bottle of water before she glanced back again. I did as instructed and took a noticeable sip of water, hoping Jen would notice. “Why don’t you try giving him some juice if he does not want to drink water,” I heard Isabella say from the front seat. I watched Jen briefly look over to the passenger seat, giving her mother a look that practically said, ‘Don’t even start.” I had to bite my lip from smiling so much, Jen really did talk to Isabella about treating me better. “Sorry, just saying. . .” I heard Isabella say. “Between Charlie's sweet tooth and coffee intake, he can drink water,” Jen said, defending her reasoning on my choice of drink. Is that what Jen thinks I eat all the time? “I don’t just eat sweets and drink coffee,” I said trying to insert myself into the conversation. “Well, if he is still having a hard time pooping, you might want to try adding some apple juice or something,” I heard Isabella comment. My mouth just dropped when I heard that, what have they been talking about when I fell asleep? “Don’t worry Mother, when we go grocery shopping later this weekend, I already planned on changing his diet up a little,” I watched Jen respond, both ignoring my comment altogether. “What’s wrong with my diet?” I tried to ask. “Good to hear, the little guy will probably be less embarrassed about going poop if he did not have to push so hard,” I heard Isabella say, going back to my private bathroom habits. “Can we change topics, please?” I asked, feeling ignored. “Yeah, this last weekend made me realize that Charlie may need a little more fiber,” Jen said continuing the conversation. “I did feed him some oatmeal with some barriers this morning.” I feel completely ignored, is this how it’s going to be all day? I rolled my eyes and turn to look out the window, whispering under my breath, “Yeah, treated like an adult my ass.” “Baby, are you still tired, do you need your binky?” I heard Jen ask, making me turn in her direction, wondering if she heard what I said. My eyebrows raise and eyes widen as I shake my head no, pleading she makes me take it. “No thank you,” I evenly say, realizing she was waiting for me to verbally tell her. I wait for Jen and Isabella to go back to their conversation before I turn back to look out the window, watching the scenery go by as I try to drink all my water. It was not a long drive to the airport, but it was long enough for me to get lost in thought, especially with Jen and Isabella busy with their conversation. I started to dwell on what Jen said in the bathroom, about trying to go potty again before we got to the museum. I took another drink thinking that it would help me go potty again, though I was not sure it was going to work as fast as Jen wanted it to. After a while I just closed my eyes and just took a deep breath in and slowly let it out, doing my best to just relax. It took a little bit but eventually, I managed to get my Kegels fully relaxed, but nothing happened. I started to lose track of time and was surprised when I felt Jen slow down and make a sharp turn, making me look outside and realize she was parking. “We’re here?” I asked, probably a little too surprised than I should have been. “Did you have a good nap?” Jen said in response, turning the engine off. “I was not sleeping, I was meditating,” I said blushing, due to the fact I felt I needed to defend myself from a childish accusation with another, “I was trying to relax and go potty as you told me to.” My comment earned me a smile from Jen before watching her and Isabella get out of the SUV. As I heard both front doors shut, I hesitated to undo my seat harness, mainly due to the scolding I got last time. Isabella had my door open before I could finish contemplating my thoughts and had me out even faster. “Wait, wait,” I said quickly, trying to stop her from shutting my door, “I want to leave my bunny in the SUV.” How was I getting so complacent about holding my bunny? “You don’t want to take her in with you,” Isabella asked me with an oddly worried face, “you don’t want her to get lonely, do you?” “It’s ok Mother, Charlie will be fine,” I heard Jen say as she rounded the back of the SUV with my diaper bag on her back and my half-drunk bottle of water. “Baby, please finish this, it's not that much.” “Mommy, I never went potty again like you wanted me to,” I confessed as I handed Isabella my bunny to put in my car seat for safekeeping. I took a couple of steps to get beside Jen so I could take my water from her and drink the rest of its contents. Once I was done, I automatically gave her my hand to hold. To be honest I don’t remember the specific date it started but Jen always preferred me holding her hand when walking in parking lots, sidewalks, or super busy areas; anymore it was just habit. “It’s ok, sweetie, we will still get you a new pull-up once we get in,” Jen said softly as she led me across the parking lot. I started to look around to see if I could notice exactly what part of the airfield this museum was on, however, my short stature made it hard. Normally I would just use my phone and look at the maps, but Jen still had mine confiscated, leaving me partially more dependent on her. It did not take much for me to just focus on being in the moment and notice how huge this Museum was, making me realize how big the airfield was for me not noticed this building before. I was impressed to see this massive hanger-like structure, perfectly sitting in the center was the entrance encased in glass. As we walked through the front doors, we were greeted by an information counter which had security on either side. The inside of the place was even more impressive, I could already see part of the different aircraft they had, we just needed to get past the front counter so we could explore. “Hello, just three of you in your party today?” I hear the clerk behind the counter ask, pulling my attention back in front of me. “Yes please,” Jen responded. Since Jen was busy getting us access to the museum, I spotted a trash can where I could toss my empty water bottle. I tried to pull my hand free so I could throw my trash away, but my tugging only made Jen look down on me to see why I was fighting for freedom. I just wordlessly held up my trash, trying to let her know I wanted to dispose of it. Jen just smiled at me before turning back to the sales clerk and letting go of my hand. As I was walking to the trashcan, I could hear Isabella say something, but I did not make out what she said. “Just to let you know it's fourteen dollars for adults and seven for kids,” I heard the clerk say as I was making my way back to Jen’s side, informing us before making a few clicks on his computer. “All taxes and fees are built into each ticket which will bring the total to thirty-five even.” The price did not bother me at first, but as Isabella and Jen arguing over who was, I did the math in my head as I made my way back to Jen and realized I was getting charged as a child. “Mommy,” I said trying to get Jen’s attention, only gaining my hand being held once again. When Jen looked down at me, I realized what I called her in public, making my eyes go wide and a smile creep on Jen’s face, calling her Mommy is turning into a habit. I am not sure how I feel about my newly forming habit, but I do know that I practically embarrassed myself, causing me to draw out more of a pause than I intended. “Yes, sweetie,” Jen responded softening her face to a pleasant smile, playing off the card I put into play. I started to shake my head not ever so slightly to tell Jen ‘Please no,’ luckily, she noticed. “Don’t worry, Charlie, let us pay and then we can go see the airplanes,” she said lightly. I don’t know if she meant to make it sound like I was a child but that is how I took it. “Ma’am,” the clerk said, Pulling Jen and I’s attention to him. “This is for you and your son,” he said, handing Jen a pair of matching armbands. “They have matching numbers, it's just to make sure that your boy only leaves with you and vice versa. It's just a safety precaution, this place is rather large.” I watched Jen sigh as she took the armbands, I did not understand, why was she doing this. I know I am short but how am I getting a child’s ticket? “But I . . .” was all I got out before Jen started to talk over me. “Thank you,” Jen said, turning her attention to me, “Give me your hand, buddy.” I did as I was told as I did not want to get scolded in public, but I did give her a glare that only could be read as ‘I am not your buddy’. Jen just gave me a sweet smile as she put the armband on my wrist before putting hers on. This day was a disaster and the more that Jen points out the more I realize the more it's my own doing, especially this time. Why did I have to call her Mommy? With my new bracelet on I followed Jen over to the metal detectors. Jen had me go first, which allowed me to see that a security guy was rummaging around my diaper bag, checking for who knows what. When Jen came through, the security guy gave her my bag back and then took my hand again soon after. “Mother, we are going to go find a bathroom quick,” Jen said to Isabella as she was walking through the security herself. I tried not to blush, but it was useless, at least Jen was not specific about why we were going to the bathroom. As we continued into the museum the area started to open, giving us a view of all the different aircraft that were on display. Jen was focused on the bathroom as I was too busy gawking at the different planes. “This way Charlie,” Jen said as she gave me a gentle tug, trying to get me to follow her. I guess the bathrooms were only around the corner to the entrance. I followed Jen to the bathrooms but soon started to resist as I saw what door she was dragging me into. “No-no-no, I am a boy,” I said trying to rebuttal softly. Jen quickly turned to me and bent down to me with a gentle look on her face. “Charlie, if we don’t get you changed you are going to leak,” Jen said in a voice only I could hear. “Do you want to have what happened this last weekend, or would you rather go potty with Mommy, and keep your shorts dry.” “Go potty with Mommy,” I respond, matching Jen's hushed tone to try and keep myself from being any more embarrassed than I already was. There were a lot of things I did not want to do but I was done with walking around in wet shorts. That would be four times in one week, and I was not about to let that happen. “You see that door next to the lady’s room,” Jen said pointing to a door I was not paying attention to, “that is a family bathroom, it will be private for just you and me to do our business.” I nodded, giving Jen the signal that I was not going to make any more fuss. Once we were in and the door was locked, I felt I could breathe a little more. Jen however did not let me go, she only pulled me and had me stand next to the toilet, “Sweetie, do you feel the need to go pee-pee?” I looked at the toilet and then down at myself and then over to Jen and shrugged my shoulders, “Maybe, kind of?” I said more confused than confident. Jen got down to my level again and put her hands on both sides of my hips. “Can you be a good boy and try and go for Mommy?” Jen asked me in a sweet tone. As if by habit I reached to undo my pants but was quickly stopped by Jen, “No-no, baby, leave your shorts alone. Give yourself a little push and try to go in your pull-up.” I just looked over at the toilet and imagined I was going to use it to try to force myself to pee, but eventually, a small stream came out but not much, causing me to look back at Jen. “Only a little came out Mommy,” I said, not sure if I was ashamed for what I just did or that I did not feel like I went enough for Jen. “Good job, Charlie, I am so proud,” Jen said with a big smile as she set my diaper back down on the floor. “Let’s get you cleaned up and in a new pull-up.” Jen undid my shorts and pulled them down, making me step out of them with my shoes on. “Can you hold your shorts for me,” she asked handing my shorts to hold onto. I stood there watching Jen rip the sides of the pull-up off and throw the saturated undergarment away. I was quickly and efficiently cleaned up and presented with a dry pull-up to step into. With Jen’s help, I had my pull-up and shorts back on, ready to go back out into the world. We both washed our hands and made our way out, seeing Isabella standing close by waiting on us. “Everything comes out, ok?” Isabella asked as we walked up to her. “Just wet, but we are all clean now,” Jen said in response as if it was a normal thing. I did not understand the use of the word ‘we’ when it was only me in pull-ups wetting myself. “Jen, please, not so loud,” I said trying to keep my face from turning red once again. When will the embarrassment stop? And just like that Jen faked a gasp and put the hand that was not still holding my hand in front of her mouth, “What happened to Mommy?” “But” I managed to say, trying to rebuttal with the rules that were agreed upon. “Calm down, Charlie,” Jen said, as she smiled, “I am just trying to get a rise out of you. Though you called me Mommy first, and you are wearing a wristband that kind of suggests that you’re here with your Mommy.” “Can I at least walk around without holding your hand,” I said with a huff, diverting my eye and accepting my role. I felt Jen’s hand loosen, making me look at her in disbelief, but I slowly pulled my hand away. “So where to first?” I ask, eager to go just run around and look at everything. “It’s your day, so you lead the way,” Isabella said, stealing my attention momentarily before looking back at Jen for approval. With a nod from Jen, I happily turned around and started our self-guided tour, pointing out all the planes I knew and gawking at the ones I didn’t. Inside housed a lot of smaller planes, a lot of them old prop planes that were used during the pre-World War and plenty that came after. They had a few smaller Jets that were suspended in the air as if they were frozen in mid-flight. I was finally feeling like I was in my element, excited to be around planes again. I did my best to cover as much ground as I could, we started at one corner of the building and slowly made our way around. There was not much of a crowd of people here, but it was not empty either. Jen let me walk without holding my hand but that did not stop her from keeping me close to her. As much as I wanted to be seen as an adult, my height compared to Jen did make me feel like I was anything but. Even when I would try and talk about an airplane Jen just smiled and listened innocently, it felt as if I was a kid trying to tell Mommy all my cool facts that I knew. Jen loved that one of my passions was aviation, it was never an interest for her, but she always made the attempt to show interest and made sure to listen as I rambled on sometimes. Eventually, I started to not care how I was perceived, most people who were close to us just saw us as a normal family. The more I relaxed the more time started to be irrelevant as I just kept wandering around and looking at everything the museum had to offer. Jen and Isabell just followed me as I insisted on walking around and seeing every aircraft, though I kept going back to this one P-51D Mustang that they had on display. “That my boy is a P-51 Mustang,” I heard an old man from behind me say. I don’t know if it was just the constant treatment of being little, or just that I was so engulfed in the moment but his ‘my boy’ comment did not bother me. “It’s a P-51D, it has the Packard V-1650-7 engine powering it,” I corrected without even looking back at who I was talking to. Jen suddenly made her presence known to me by standing behind me and putting her hands on my shoulders, making me look up at her quickly and then over to the man who commented. I don’t know if it was Jen, but I instantly felt like I did something bad, “I am sorry, I did not mean . . .,” I said before the man stopped me by holding his hand up. “No need to apologize, My Name is Joe, and I am one of the curators here. “You certainly know your airplanes,” Joe said, holding his hand out for me to shake. “Nice to meet you, my name is Charlie,” I said, Shaking his hand. “Have you been outside yet, we have bigger planes out there along with some helicopters even,” Joe asked, pointing to a double door leading out to the airfield. I quickly looked up to Jen for permission and got her loving smile saying go ahead. “Well, if you would allow me, I could give you a tour out there, maybe you can teach me what you know,” Joe said, humoring me with the knowledge I had of aircraft. “Lead the way, sir,” I said, grabbing Jen’s hand and pulling her along with us. Joe led us to a door that was on the far side of the building, as we went through, we were on the side of the building. There was a path that we followed and with every step, I started to see more and more aircraft. First were the helicopters, both old and new, but as the helicopters seemed to grow in size the aircraft that was sitting next to them still seemed to dwarf them and was even bigger. Joe went on to show me every aircraft that was outside, telling me some of the stories that he had when he was just a boy or when he was in the military. Most of the airplanes were only there to see and not touch, but there were a few that he let me get in and look around. Joe even let me sit in one of the cockpits of the aircraft, due to my small body I could not see out the aircraft, but it was still fun to see all the old steam gauges that were used back in the day. I thought it was the best thing in the world. I was truly feeling like a kid again, “You know walking around all these old airplanes makes me want to go back and see my airplanes,” I said, not thinking. At about that same time, all the water Jen made me drink was starting to make itself known, especially with all the walking we were doing. “What kind of airplanes do you have,” Joe asked as he helped me out of the cockpit, so I did not fall. “I have two Embraer Praetor 600s, one Phenom 300E, and one Phenom 100EX. They are a solid black with bright red tails,” I said being honest. Right before we started to walk back towards the door leading to the inside, Jen reached for my hand. “That is a pretty neat collection,” I heard Joe say as we made our way back to the inside of the museum. As we walked Jen started to walk slower and let Joe and Isabella take the lead as Jen and I started to walk behind them. “Do you need to go potty, sweetie,” Jen asked quietly as we walked. I didn’t blush but I did have a hard time looking her in the eyes and telling her ‘No’ which made Jen understand that I did have an urge to potty. “If you do just go, do not try and hold it,” Jen said to where I could only hear. “Everything ok?” Joe asked as he held the door to the inside open for us. I could not tell if he heard what Jen told me or if he was just making sure that we did not need anything. Between Jen telling me to pee my pull-up and Joe’s question, I was starting to get a little embarrassed and I did not know what to say. “I think I need to go to the bathroom,” I said, blurting out what came to mind first, trying to respond to Joe. I turned my head to Jen to try and give her an ‘I’m sorry’ look. "Mother, I am going to take Charlie potty again,” Jen said looking over to Isabella. Why did this whole situation make me feel small, I don’t think I like this being reminded to go potty thing, and I really did not have to go that bad, I was just caught up in the moment. “When you’re done, come see me in the gift shop Charlie,” Joe said, letting us go do our business as he walked the other way. “Ok,” I said as I followed Jen. As we wind our way through the large open space filled with multiple aircraft, I spotted Isabella getting our attention. “I will be upfront when you two are done,” Isabella said before splitting off herself. Now that it was just Jen and me, I noticed that Jen was slowing her pace more than she normally did to compensate for my little legs. “Mommy why are we walking so slow,” I asked as I looked up at her, intrigued about what was on Jen's mind. “I thought it would be nice to try and give you a little extra time to try and go in your pull-up before we make it to the bathroom,” Jen said as she smiled down at me. Eventually, we did make it to the bathroom, but as Jen went to turn the handle it was locked, making her and I look at each other. I watched Jen look at the lady's room and I instantly knew what she was going to do. What was more embarrassing, having your Wife drag you into the ladies’ room to potty because she won't let you go by yourself or just going potty in your pull-up that you are going to be made to do anyway? “I don’t have to go anymore Mommy,” I told her a little louder than I wanted trying to get her attention and keep her from dragging me in there. “Are you sure, sweetie,” Jen turned to me and asked as she reached down and felt my pull-up. “Did you already go?” “Aww, did the poor little guy not make it to the bathroom?" I heard a woman say as she came out of the bathroom I was about to be dragged into. Both Jen and I looked to see who was talking and saw another lady, dressed in similar clothes as Joe was, indicating she probably works here. “Don’t sweat it, little guy, you're not the only one to have an accident, this place is kind of huge,” the lady said, trying to make me feel better for something I was about to do. “Yeah, we are still working on potty training,” Jen said to the lady, continuing the conversation. “We still have day accidents, so we are not quite out of pull-ups yet.” I could see sympathy from the lady as she turned to me and said, “It’s ok, potty training can be hard work,” before smiling and turning to Jen and saying, “Best of luck to yeah both,” and continuing her way. This whole interaction was super embarrassing but as we stood there, I did need to go potty more than I did a moment ago. “Go in your pull-up here or in the lady's room,” Jen said softly. I quickly looked around to see if anyone else was walking our way before turning back to Jen with a pleading face, I didn’t want to do either. As Jen turned to go into the lady's room, I instantly tried to force myself to pee. I took a breath in and pushed, trying to force something to happen, and with less effort than I thought it was going to take I started to do what I never thought was possible. “Good job, I am so proud of you,” Jen said, turning back to me and smiling, “You know, you have a cute little potty face.” Getting praised every time I wet myself was an odd feeling, but it did make me feel less bad for doing something so juvenile. I was still mid-stream as I felt Jen start walking again, this time towards the entrance of the building. “Mommy,” I tried to call out as I was still trying to wet myself with little luck. Jen was only taking small steps, but it still was awkward to try and wet myself and walk at the same time. “You're ok, honey, just keep going,” Jen said encouragingly. I kept looking down to see if I leaked but could not tell. As we rounded the corner to the front, we did not see Isabella standing anywhere. “Do I really have a potty face?” I asked, before looking around and not seeing my mother-in-law around “Where’s Isabella?” “I don’t know, let's see if she is in the gift shop before we call her,” Jen said ignoring my first question. Jen let go of my hand and put her hand on my back, guiding me in the direction she wanted to go. The gift shop was close to the main doors of the museum, which was exactly where we saw Isabella, chatting with Joe. The closer we got the more self-conscious I was about my little accident. “You know Mother, Charlie was worried you left us, he did not see you when we rounded the corner to the front,” Jen said lightheartedly. “I was not,” I quickly retorted, only slightly forgetting about my embarrassment. “Don’t worry Charlie,” Isabella said, smiling. “I was just talking with your new friend Joe, trying to figure out what model airplane to get you to add to your collection.” As soon as Isabella was done talking, I saw Joe's hand pull out a model P-51 that was painted olive green with a star on both sides of the fuselage. “What do you think of this one, it’s the same one, just different colors as the one that’s on display,” Joe said, handing it to me to look at. “It’s not an Embraer but it's an impressive aircraft. And if you as your Mom I bet she could help you paint it to match your other ones.” At that moment I figured out that he thought that I was a kid, and the airplanes I had were just models. It would be nice to have, though I doubt I would want to paint it, it looks good as it is. I turned me Jen and motioned to her that I wanted to tell her a secret. “Let me look, baby,” Jen said in response to my secret request. I was happy that she was helping me out, but I wished she would refrain from using ‘baby’ in public. I watched Jen rummage around in my diaper bag, eventually pulling her wallet out and looking through some business cards she had. She first pulled out one but quickly put that one back before pulling out another, “Ah, here it is,” Jen said pulling out a business card that said Red Tail Aviation and handing it to me, making me smile. “If you come by any time after. . .,” I start to say before I turn to Jen to help. “After next week,” Jen said simply, helping me out with my sentence. “. . . after next week, Alice and I will give you a tour of our airplanes,” I said as I handed him the business card with Alice’s name on it, trying to invite him over to my work, to show him that I am not just a kid with models. “Ok, this is on the other side of the airfield, I could stop by sometime. And you must be Alice then?” Joe started to say before turning to Jen since he never got her name. “Sorry, Alice is my sister. My name is Jennifer,” Jen said, introducing herself officially. “Well, it was a pleasure to meet you and your family today, I will definitely come and stop by,” Joe said holding up the business card I gave him. After a quick handshake, we parted ways again, leaving me to turn to Jen to see what we were doing next. “Well, I already purchased Charlie’s plane, so how about we head out and get some lunch,” I watched Isabella say to Jen. As she heard what her mother said I saw her start to look down at me, instantly aware of what Jen was going to say. “Thank you, for the plane . . . Grammy,” I said softly. It still felt weird to call Isabella Grammy, I am not sure if I like it or not. “You are most welcome, Charlie,” Isabella said with a sweet smile. “How about you let me hold onto it while we get to the SUV, I am sure Mommy would want you to hold her hand, so you don't get hurt.” I handed her the plane back and just reached up and held Jen's hand, unsure how to feel. Nothing else was said, Jen just smiled at me and led me over to the exit, where she and I had to show our wristbands before exiting. When we were halfway to the car Isabella broke the silence and asked, “So, did Charlie make it to the potty?” “Nope, he was a good boy and was able to wet himself before we got in,” Jen said proudly, not telling the full story of what happened. Jen led me around to the back passenger door before unlocking the car and opening my door. Jen looked down at me and slightly hesitated, waiting for me to start my protesting. As much as I hated the car seat, I knew I had little to no say in what I was about to get put back into. I just looked up at her and simply asked, “Ice cream?” I was done protesting today, I wanted to get treated as an adult but every time I tried to force the issue I was shut down. However, my lack of protest did earn me a smile from Jen. “Let's get food first, then we can get ice cream,” Jen said as she reached in to grab my bunny out of my car seat and handed her to me. With my bunny in my hands, Jen picked me up, put me in my car seat, and buckled my harness. At the same time, Isabella hopped in the passenger seat reaching back and setting my new model airplane in the back. “You know baby, I am very proud of you. "You were such a big boy in there,” Jen said before kissing me on the forehead. “I don't feel like a big boy,” I said with a frown. “I could not leave your side because everyone thought I was a kid because of this stupid wristband, and then I wet my pants. . .” “Feel your pants, baby, do they feel wet?” Jen instructed. “No,” I said. “You did not wet your pants, you wet your pull-up,” Jen said positively. “I want you to have faith in your pull-ups and your diapers. If you feel the need to potty, then I want you to go, no more holding it. I promise to make sure to change you before you start to leak,” Jen said lovingly, trying to help encourage a smile. “You're going to have to get used to this, you are going to be in diapers for the foreseeable future Charlie.” With that said Jen just caressed my cheek with her hand, smiling at me like I really was her good little boy. Once I smiled at her, she finally let me be and closed my door, making her way around to the driver's seat. “Mommy,” I said getting Jen's attention as she backed out of the parking spot. “Where are we going for lunch?” When I said it, I was starting to question myself, is it lunch? What time was it? Today has been so weird that I felt I could not even tell what time it was. I mean it had to be past lunchtime, I had already been forced to take a nap and we were walking around for like ever looking at airplanes. I looked out the window to try and see where the sun was, that would tell me how late in the day it was. “Not real sure yet, we are near your work, do you have any favorite spots you like to go to?” Jen asked pulling out onto the road, “Preferably a place that has food you will want to eat.” Even though I did not feel hungry, I knew that I was going to need to eat if I was going to get my ice cream I was promised. “What time is it?” I asked, still confused about how long we had been in the museum. “It's just a little past two, baby,” Jen informed me, making me realize that we were having a late lunch once again. “If I eat good, can I skip dinner?” I asked, trying to cut a deal. I know Jen wanted to make sure I ate good but eating this late and then eating dinner on top was not going to make my tummy feel good at all. “Absolutely not,” I heard Isabella say in front of me, instantly making me furrow my brows at her comment. Jen did not say anything, but I did feel the heat from her glare that she gave Isabella. “Sorry, I did not mean to overstep my bounds,” I heard Isabella say, I could also imagine her throwing her hands up as if to surrender a fight she knew she was not going to win. “Baby, I will make you a deal,” Jen said as I watched her turn back to driving. “Eat something small for me and then we will get your ice cream. But I have some shrimp I want to cook later for dinner.” “I got just the place,” I responded excitedly. “Tony’s Tavern has this super amazing dessert that is amazing, they also have good food too.” “A tavern?” I heard Jen repeat, questioning my choice. “It’s still daylight, and yeah, a tavern. It's the favorite spot the pilots like to go to when they are in between flights,” I said defending my request. “Alice even likes this place.” “Tony’s it is, but no alcohol,” Jen said, making me smile.

Chapter Seventeen I never went back to sleep since Jen rescued me from my nightmare, I was too frightened. I have not dreamt of that monster in so long, why now? Either way, it didn’t matter, Jen has not let go of me since. I think I scared her as much as my nightmare scared me. Eventually, I did notice a difference in Jen’s breathing, signifying that she was able to go back to sleep. It did not bother me, it never has, Jen was always able to sleep better than I did. Eventually, I did try and move, I wanted to put my head above the covers. I tried to move without alarming Jen but as I started to gently wiggle Jen reflexively jumped and lifted the covers, seeing what was wrong. “Shh, Shh, Shh,” I heard her whisper, as she adjusted me herself, bringing me from under the covers, pressed to her stomach to being held in the crook of her arm. My head rested on the soft spot just above her breast, the arm I was tucked into wrapped around me like a seatbelt, holding me tight. Jen was not going to be letting me go. I took a heavy breath, trying not to make a sound but I must have let out a soft cry that reached her ears, earning me a kiss on the tip of my head as Jens reached over me and magically pulled my stuffed bunny out of the nightmare, I thought I left her and into my arms. Feeling the soft plush of the bunny made me feel safe, so I hugged it tight. With my emotions still not fully in check I accidentally started to sniffle, and a tear was forming against my will. “Shh, baby, you’re ok,” Jen whispered as she wiped my tears, “here, honey, let's put this back in.” Jen gently pushed the pacifier back into my mouth and then just went back to hold me. Even with the position I could not sleep, every time I moved Jen woke back up, worried that I was having a nightmare. I felt so bad, Jen was not getting any rest tonight and it was all because of me. After the third time wiggling Jen started to hum a lullaby and just rubbed my back. I desperately tried not to move so she could sleep, I even did my best to relieve myself and not flinch. Eventually, the sun came up and shone its bright light through the windows. As I lay there clutching Lady Franke, with Jen doing just the same to me, I waited for Jen to make the first move to get up for the day. Suddenly I felt Jen's hand squeeze my diaper, figuring out if it would last till she fed me breakfast. “You didn’t go back to sleep did you baby?” I heard Jen say as I lay there listening to her heartbeat as I pretended to sleep. It wasn’t because I had a pacifier in my mouth I just did not want to talk, so I shook my head no. “Don’t worry, I was in and out of sleep myself, too worried about you,” she said softly. When she said that I instantly felt horrible, Jen did not sleep because of me. This is why I sneak to the other rooms to be awake; I don’t want to bother the ones that were able to sleep. “I’m sorry,” I softly pouted, trying to hold back the emotions that just won’t go away. I went from holding my bunny to hugging her. “Oh, honey, don’t cry,” I heard Jen say as she wiped another tear from my cheek. “I did not mean that in a bad way,” she said, apologizing herself as she sat up and pulled me into her lap, holding my head next to her chest. I didn’t think I was crying, just sad and felt responsible for Jen not sleeping. I sat on her lap trying not to move as she held me, but after a few minutes I felt myself get pulled back allowing Jen to kiss me on top of the pacifier before whispering ever so softly, “I got to potty, baby.” The way she was holding me made me feel awkward scooting off her lap, my soggy diaper only made me feel that much more childish. I stood where I was as I watched her get up and saunter into the bathroom. It was useless for me to go in there, I was wearing my potty. “Charlie,” I heard Jen sing, calling to me like a siren calling a sailor. My feet moved without thinking, but only peeked my head to find her sitting on the toilet, using her finger to single me to come closer. I meekly stepped in and stood in front of her, holding my bunny and pacifier still stuck in my mouth. It was still a new thing for Jen to check my diaper, but she still tugged my shorts down just enough for her to hold her hand on the front of my diaper. What was she doing, didn’t she just squeeze it before we rolled out of bed? “Baby, go potty with Mommy,” Jen said sweetly, making me blush. I tried to step back but I was denied, “No-no baby, stay still. I want you to try and go pee-pee, your diaper is wet but nowhere near as wet as it should be for how much you drank before bedtime. If I had to guess you had a hard time going while trying to lay still in my arms.” How does she know me so well, I did go potty when I was laying there, not all the way but enough to take the edge off. I took a deep breath in and held it and suddenly I felt my diaper getting warm and with Jen’s hand there she felt it too because I suddenly heard her go as well. As soon as we started to go, she released her hand from my diaper and just pulled my shorts up and praised me, “You such a good boy, good job baby.” After our morning potty break, we both went downstairs and went straight to the kitchen, I took my seat on one of the stools at the island while Jen worked her magic and made the coffee pot produce the sweet nectar of life. As the coffee brewed, she got two mugs down and prepped them so all she had to do was just pour the coffee in. “Honey,” Jen said gently, getting my attention as she turned to face me, “would you like to talk about the nightmare you had last night?” I didn’t want to talk about it, I did not even like talking about it as a kid. Eventually, my nightmares just stopped, I thought I had just outgrown them, evidently, I was wrong. “No, not really,” I said with a heavy lisp that was caused by the pacifier. The more that the daylight rose and the more I moved around the more my emotions were able to be kept in check. I must have looked ok because Jen did not seem to press too hard, she just wanted to comfort me. “I am always here if you do,” Jen said with a sympathetic smile before glancing at the coffee pot to see if there was enough coffee to start pouring. We both just existed there in silence. When the coffee was done Jen ushered me out the back door so we could enjoy our morning cup of joe while soaking up the morning sun in the fresh crisp air before it turned hot. “Baby, you need to take your binky out if you are going to drink that,” Jen giggled, making me slightly hesitate in trying to grab it and pull it out. Jen just held her hand out, wanting me to hand my pacifier to her. Jen just smiled as she set it down on the arm of her wooden lawn chair, next to her mug. “You don’t need to keep your binky in if you don’t want it, honey,” Jen said to me with a smile, sipping her coffee, “just don’t hide it like you did, please.” I just took a sip of coffee myself, trying to avoid the conversation. “Today is Friday, would you like to do anything? I only have about an hour of work I need to do in the office but other than that I am free to do whatever,” Jen said, trying to make small talk I presume. I was supposed to be on vacation, we should go do something, “Shure,” I responded, not knowing what we could do. “We could even go get ice cream later if you wanted,” Jen said suddenly, trying to act natural at her comment. I was all good about the whole going out till she just mentioned ice cream, Jen never talks about sweets before breakfast, let alone treating me specifically to it without a warning of ‘if I eat well.’ Jen was about to tell me something I was not going to like, and I had not drunk enough coffee to even want to know. “I am good, Mommy. Let’s just stay at home and not do anything,” I said trying to backtrack on my earlier comment of ‘sure.’ I watched Jen shift in her seat, take a sip of coffee, and start to fidget with my pacifier. “So, earlier I talked to my mother some more,” Jen started to say, leaving a brief pause trying to judge my reaction. I still was not happy with her and what happened last weekend, Jen will need to do better than ice cream. I looked at her, waiting for her to continue. “Mother is sorry for how she acted and wanted to make it up to you,” Jen said softly, trying to sweeten her words to task better than the thought of spending any time with my Mother-in-law. “Make it up to me how?” I asked inquisitively, trying to figure out as much as I could before I started bargaining. Jen left an awkward pause before she simply said, “She wants to go do something with us and just hang out.” I took a drink of my coffee to prevent me from saying anything that would get me in trouble. But that did not stop my eyebrows from raising and my eyes from widening from trying to see where any of what she said sounded like a good idea. “She just wants to show you that she means no ill will and just wants to spend time with us,” Jen said, trying to convince me to at least think about it. “Let me guess, she wants to take me to a little splash park or a petting zoo, oh I know she wants to shove me in a stroller and parade me around public and humiliate me,” I said a little too sharply. “Whatever it is, ice cream is not worth that embarrassment.” “I understand your frustration,” Jen said, prepping me for her rebuttal. “I told Mother that if she was going to do anything she had to treat you with the utmost respect as my husband.” “Mommy,” I started to say, trying to figure out what words I wanted to say next. I desperately wanted to tell her a very rude no, but I doubt she would let this conversation end if I just straight-up refused. “If I was to say ok, and go; what does she want to go and do? And please don’t say go out to eat, I don’t want to eat,” I spoke the truth, and I knew there was going to be a separate conversation for what I said but all I got now was a worried eye from her. “Mother wanted you to choose something,” Jen said, still looking worried about the other comment I made. I looked down at my coffee and swirled around the last bit of it, trying to figure out what we could do and not feel childish. As I racked my brain there was only one thing that kept on popping up, but I had to make sure I was not going to be paraded around like a toddler. “I get to be dressed like an adult?” I asked, trying to check my list of needs. “Of course, sweetie,” Jen said as I noticed a small twinkle in her eye. “No baby stuff, just us hanging out doing stuff,” I demanded more than I asked, earning me a motherly smile. “Outside of bringing your diaper bag so we have spare pull-ups, you would be correct,” Jen said, adjusting my demand. I just stared at her, waiting for something, anything to signify that there was anything else. “There is a new aerospace museum close to the airport, I have yet to check it out and I would love to go and look. I was told that it was a really good size one and had a cool collection of old war planes and a few helicopters,” I blurted out, getting more excited the more I talked about it. “Plus, ice cream,” I added at the last minute. “If you eat well, then yes,” Jen said with a smile, setting our plans in stone with a smile. Jen stood up and walked back into the house, grabbing both our cups along the way. “Mommy, I was not done with that,” I cried, chasing after her, “And you did not originally state I had to eat well to get ice cream,” I whined following her into the kitchen. Jen rinsed the cups out before setting them in the sink but turned back to me, who was standing an arm’s length away, trying to plead my case for my coffee and ice cream. “Baby, you were playing with your coffee, if you want more you need to ask nicely, there is no need to get fussy. And your little comment negated my original offer on no-strings-attached ice cream,” Jen said firmly, bending down to my level. I tried to hold my ground but when Jen said I was being fussy all I could do was blush at the thought of how she had seen me this morning. “Not fussy,” I said in a hushed tone, looking away, causing Jen to just giggle. “What was that baby? I don’t think I heard you.” I heard Jen say mockingly, probably with a smirk on her face. I did not want to answer her, but I took too long to answer she gently guided my head back to look at her, implying she truly wanted me to repeat what I said. “I am not fussy,” I said flatly. “Of course not,” she said before kissing me on the forehead. “My baby is just hungry and needs his breakfast.” Jen only gave me a moment to express my dissatisfaction with my face before she turned back to the pantry and looked for something to make for breakfast. Looking back at it now I probably could have gotten away with skipping a meal today but my little comment was going to make Jen keep an extra eye on me today. I just moved to sit on the same stool as before, causing my cold and wet diaper to squish. “Mommy, can I get a diaper change?” I asked, not liking the feel of my bottom. “After breakfast, sweetie,” Jen said pulling out oatmeal to make for breakfast. I just sat there watching Jen cook us breakfast, as she was waiting for the water to boil, she pulled out some of the rest of the barriers from last night and cut them up. Before long breakfast was ready and she presented me with a small bowl and a cup of Water as she sat next to me with her bowl and a glass of water. “Can I have the sugar?” I asked softly. “Take a bite first, sweetie,” Jen instructed as she took a bite of her oatmeal. I knew Jen always meant well, and she did her best to cater to my needs, she never tried to overfeed me, but my plates often were a lot smaller than hers when she knew I was going to be picky that day. Jen's bowl was a normal ceramic one, with an average spoon. As far as mine, I had a smaller blue bowl with a spoon smaller than hers. I mean yeah it fits my hands better but why can I not have the same thing as her? I want the big stuff; I was an adult after all. “Mommy, I want the big bowl,” I said, trying not to whine as I took a bite. Jen was just staring at me, looking at my face to see my reaction. Once the oatmeal hit my taste buds, I realized that Jen already put sugar in the oatmeal for me. “Mmm, this is good, thank you,” I said before going in for another bite. Jen smiled at my comment before she took another bite. “Charlie baby, you got a smaller bowl because I know you will not eat that much. And your utensils are just fine, they are the perfect size for you. You don’t need a pitchfork or shovel for your food when you’re only filling a little tummy,” Jen said before taking a drink. We both ate our food, though I was reminded I was to drink my cup of water before getting up. I was about to step into the living room before Jen stopped me, “Hold on, sweetie,” she said firmly before feeling my rump and then pulling the back of my diaper open. “Honey, do you not get too poopy?” she asks nonchalantly. I was a little lost for words but managed to shake my head now. “No worries let's get your soggy but in something a little dryer,” she said happily and patted my butt to get me to start walking again. Jen got me ready first, leading me to my nursery to get my diaper off and a pull-up on. She also let me pick out my shirt, and I chose a blue polo shirt with small planes all around it in a symmetrical pattern. Jen complemented my choice with a pair of khaki shorts and low-cut socks. Jen did ask if I wanted to play in my nursery while she got ready, but I quickly said no and followed her to our room. While Jen was getting ready, I did my best to make our bed, which still came out with wrinkles. I Sat my bunny by the pillow to signify that this was where I wanted to sleep tonight. I eventually just went to sit in the chair that was in the corner of the room to wait for Jen to finish getting ready. When she did emerge, she was matching me with a light blue button-up and a pair of white shorts, she looked smart yet comfortable, ready for whatever the day threw at her. I also noticed a subtle hint of makeup with her hair neatly brushed and left down. “Charlie let's brush your teeth before we go,” Jen said standing in the bathroom doorway. “Ok,” was all I said, hopping out of the chair. I tried to reach for my toothbrush, but Jen grabbed it first and put my little dollop of toothpaste on it for me before handing it to me. I tried not to read too much into it and just brush my teeth, but while I was doing that Jen started to brush my hair and styling. I looked at her in the mirror and tried to whine but she just gave me a look that made me just mind my own business and let her do what she wanted. Once Jen was satisfied with my grooming I went out of the room and started to fiddle with the baby gate at the top of the stairs. “Mommy, why do you always close this when I am up here,” I ask as she walks past me and back into my nursery, making me turn my head in question, “Mommy?” What is she doing? “I just needed to get your diaper bag, and the gate is to keep you up here with me, so you don’t go get into mischief, remember,” Jen said as she reached over to me and effortlessly opened the gate. I got down three steps before I heard Jen’s voice behind me, “Hold on to the railing please.” “Mommy,” I whine as I do as I am told. Why is she doing this, I am an adult. “Baby,” I hear Jen say behind me, matching my whiney tone. I tried to glance back to give her a glare of unappreciation, but in turn, I missed a step and nearly had my heart just out of my chest. I was able to catch myself and not fall but that still did not save my pride. I did not hear any comment from Jen, but I could feel her gaze upon me. While I put my shoes on Jen walked around the house to make sure things were all locked before putting her shoes on. I was ushered out the front door, but I did not go any further till I knew she was locking the door. I wanted to be romantic and hold Jen’s hand to the car, but I am sure from another point of view it looked like Mommy holding her child’s hand, so they didn’t run off. I figured we were going to be taking the SUV but when I tried to pull my hand from Jens to get in the front seat, I was unable to free myself. Panic instantly set in; this was not happening again. “Charlie, please,” Jen said sympathetically causing me to look up at her as I was struggling to get myself free. “Mommy, I don’t want to go anymore, please. I don’t like the car seat,” I pleaded. “This is the only thing that my mother asked of me, she told me she would lay off and let me be Mommy if I at least kept you in a car seat,” Jen said, explaining why she was not letting go. “But why don’t I have to wear one in the sports car or the jeep?” I asked trying to make sense of it all. “Both of your cars already have a five-point harness for you in the driver’s seat, not to mention a role cage on them as well. I argued that fact, leaving you just in a car seat when you are in the SUV,” Jen said, defending her decision. “Then let’s take the car or the jeep,” I suggest, as I slowly realize I was not winning this argument at all. “Mother will not ride in your car, she barely likes you driving it, but that is not up to her. And your jeep only has two seats,” Jen explained as she opened the back seat. I tried to get in the back by myself to at least save myself some dignity, but I was soon swooped up and placed in my assigned seat. I also tried to buckle myself but soon found my hand only got in the way. Before Jen shut my door, she pulled my bunny out of my baby blue diaper bag, which at least looked like a me-sized back-back. I reached for Lady Frankie but looked at Jen confused. “I snagged her off the bed when you ran out, I was going to ask you if you wanted to take her, but I just thought you might need her on the drive, so I decided for you,” she said, explaining her actions. “Mommy, you said I would be treated like an adult today,” I said, trying to remind her of our earlier conversation. Jen just kissed my forehead, shut my door, and walked around to the driver’s side. When she hopped in, she put my diaper bag in the back seat next to me along with her purse. Jen left my diaper bag unzipped which let me see part of the contents of what she had in there. “Charlie, you are an adult,” Jen said with a smile before turning her attention forward and starting the SUV. My mind was muddled with her comment, it did not make sense. “But Mommy, I am sitting in a car seat, wearing pull-ups, holding a stuffed bunny, and you have a diaper bag packed for me with only three extra pull-ups and two diapers. You probably have a spare change of clothes and my pacifier in there too. How is that saying I am an adult?” I asked as I hugged my bunny for comfort. “I can justify every part of that,” Jen said as she pulled out of the driveway and started our journey. “Your car seat is partially a mixture of a compromise and the fact that despite your age still would benefit from sitting in one. Your pull-ups and diaper bag are due to you not being fully potty trained, extra clothes are for emergencies, it’s just smart.” “But I am po. . .” I started to say before stopping myself in self-embarrassment, per the rules I was not potty trained. “What was that honey, I did not hear that last part,” Jen said, though I am not sure if she was sincere or just trying to get me to say what she knew I was trying to say. “Nothing,” I said softly, still internally embarrassed that Jen was right, and I was wrong. “Baby, I know it’s hard to adjust but you have got to realize that your position comes with a little extra care. That is why I brought Lady Frankie and yes, your binky. Last night scared us both and I just want to make sure you have some comfort items with you, even if you leave them in the car,” Jen said, confirming that she knew what I was going to say. “Baby, you are both my husband, strong, bold, and handsome; and you are my little baby boy who is small, timid, and rather bashful, which I find so adorable. Together you make up my Charlie, and I love every bit of you. But they are just naturally going to blend, the more you grow in your role the more you will find that your little side is just as a part of your big side and vice versa.” “It’s just not fair, Mommy,” I said starting to pout. “I know, honey,” Jen soothed, as I watched her reach behind and grab the diaper bag without looking behind her. I watched her confused about what she was doing but soon saw the diaper bag put back and Jen holding the pacifier. “No, Mommy, I don’t need that, I promise I will be good,” I started to plead, this day was not going the way I thought it was. “Honey, I have not done anything,” Jen said, placing the pacifier in the cup holder as she started to turn towards her parents’ house. “You got less sleep than I did and had one bad nightmare last night. If you want to try and take a nap you can,” she suggested, which in turn made me more upset. Why was she doing this, I am not some fussy toddler that failed to sleep last night. I decided to hold my whine in while I just sat there with my arms crossed, holding my bunny. “Charlie, sweetie, pouting about it will not make things better,” I heard Jen say. “I’m NoT wHiNiNnG,” I cried, trying to hold back the emotions that were yet again not playing fair today. I sniffled and wiped my tears, giving me a chance to say, “I am an adult,” with an even voice. “I never said you were not one,” Jen started to say in more of a motherly tone, “but sweetie you are cranky, and I am suggesting you just close your eyes and rest for a bit.” I watched Jen pick the pacifier up and hand it to me, “take it and put it in your mouth please,” Jen gently instructed. “No,” I said firmly. “Charlie Conor,” Jen said boldly, making me flinch at the sound of my middle name being used. I took the pacifier and stuck it in my mouth, though I did not suck on it, only babies need these. “Thank you, now was that so bad,” Jen said more softly. “Yes,” I said with a lisp. Jen did not reply to me, she just focused on driving. The only thing I had to do was stare at the window, which was getting boring, fast, and monotonous. After a while, my eyes did get droopy and I did not realize I started to suck on my pacifier till about the third head bob. I instantly stopped and was silently cursing at myself. We pulled up to Nichola and Isabella’s house before I fell asleep. I thought we were going to leave right away but Jen just turned the engine off and undid her seat belt. I did not even reach for mine, I was fine where I was, though Jen apparently did not agree with me. Jen opened my door and started to get me out, I tried to take out the pacifier but with one single look from Jen, I instantly refrained from pulling it out. “Smart move,” Jen said as she took one of my hands and pulled me away to close the door. “Mommy, Lady Frankie,” I said groggily which made the pacifier lisp even worse. Luckily Jen did not miss a beat and could still understand my childish talk as she gently guided me around the truck. “Baby just bring her with you, we are not leaving right away,” Jen said, informing me of my current circumstance. Today was not going the way I was hoping for, this is not me being treated as an adult. The front door opened about the same time we got there; this time it was just Isabella at the door wearing a white blouse, black shorts, and matching sandals. “Good morning you two, glad to see yeah,” Isabella said as I watched her hug, Jen. “Charlie how was your morning,” She asked me in a normal tone. Her comment surprised me with how normal she was acting, which compared to last time was the complete opposite. I was still at a loss for words despite the fact I did not want to talk with the pacifier in my mouth, so I did one better and just moved closer to Jen. “He is a little tired, he did not sleep well last night. I tried to get him to sleep in the car ride over here, but it was not a long enough drive,” Jen said, talking about me as if I were some kind of child. “Well come inside, maybe Charlie would like to lay down for a little bit before we start our adventure today. By the way, what did Charlie decide on?” I heard Isabella say as she led us inside the house. “Charlie,” Jen said getting my attention. “You want to tell her where we are going today,” she said happily, trying to help liven my mood up. I shook my head no, letting her lead me around. Jen eventually stopped and squatted down to get on my level, “Baby, are you still afraid of Mother, or are you just that tired?” To be honest I did not know what I was, I just wanted to go back home. Apparently, with my lack of answer, Jen took it upon herself to just pick me up and carry me to wherever we were going instead of letting me walk. “For only being ten in the morning, he is awfully tired. You said he did not sleep well, how much sleep did he get?” I heard Isabella ask Jen, as she continued into the living room. Jen went to sit down on the chaise lounge with me, keeping me on her lap as she rocked back and forth rubbing my back. Isabella on the other hand thought that it was too bright in here and closed the blinds. “Well, I put him down around nine o’clock last night and he did not fall asleep till about nine-thirty,” Jen said softly, as I just rested my head on her shoulder. I grew bored with them talking over me and realized that I started to suck on the pacifier impulsively, causing me to whine and force myself to stop. “Shh, you're fine, just rest honey,” Jen cooed at me before returning to her conversation with her mother, “Charlie started last night in his crib,” “Oh, really,” I heard Isabella say sounding shocked, “I am so proud of you, how did that go?” “Well, that’s the issue, he did not take to it,” I heard Jen respond. What were they talking about, the crib is not my new assigned sleeping spot, is it? My anxiety was starting to build again, I don’t think I could do another night in the crib alone. “About midnight I could hear him talking over the baby monitor, about an hour later I heard him start crying and screaming ‘go away.’ The poor baby had a nightmare.” Jen said, revealing to me what happened last night. “You or Alice took to your crib at first, I had to ease you in it little by little, eventually you two got used to it. I am sure he will too,” I heard Isabella say. “To be honest I don’t want to have him sleep in there permanently, I just want it to be available for him, give him a safe space to sleep other than our bed,” I heard Jen say, giving me a sigh of relief to hear what she said. Jen must have felt my sigh because she and her mother started to talk more softly. They must be mistaken if I was going to sleep at this time of day. “If you are going to have him sleep in his crib you are going to eventually get him used to it,” Isabell said softly, making me close my eyes to try and shut her out of my head. Eventually, I heard Jen and Isabella move off the subject of me for a little bit, but I still was ignored. After a while, I felt my pacifier get gently tugged out ever so slightly before getting released causing me to start sucking on it. “The poor baby is so tired he needed a kickstart on the binky, he will not last long if he is not asleep already,” I heard Isabella softly whisper. Hmph, I did not need my pacifier kickstarted, I did not even need this thing. It is getting tiring to constantly force myself to stop sucking this thing though. I did not realize that I was nearly asleep till I felt Jen move me and reposition me to where I was more curled up and resting my head on her chest. I could still hear Jen whisper, but the rhythmic sound of her heartbeat was hypnotizing and helped me just let things meld away. Eventually, all I heard was muttering, allowing my mind to wander. I don’t know if I fell asleep or if my mind was playing tricks on me, but one moment I was next to Jen listening to her heartbeat and enjoying her warmth, then a moment later I found myself suddenly back in the darkness. Like I said, the darkness never scared me, especially since I knew Jen was with me, or so I thought. I could smell lavender and jasmine which was Jen’s scent. All I knew was I heard the creepy monster again and when I ran away, I was not met with an invisible barrier, no I was met with a nearly bottomless pit. Whomp Yup, I was sleeping and now I am lying on the floor. The drop from the chaise lounge to the floor was not that far but man it sure did smart, especially when you land face first. It took me a slow second to adjust from suddenly being jolted awake, but the pain started to come, and I uttered the only thing that my mind could think of, “OWIE-OWIE!” I honestly did not mean to yell it as loud as I did but it hurt, what was I supposed to do? I found myself curling in a ball, holding my forehead. “Charlie!” I heard Jen say worried, as I heard two sets of footsteps get closer. “Did you fall off the lounge?” I heard her ask, it had to be rhetorical because I was on the floor, next to the lounge. I certainly did not jump purposefully trying to land face first. I rolled myself up to sit on my knees, still holding my head, but I suddenly felt Jen's hands pull them away. “Who would suspect the floor is so hard,” I said with a smart-ass attitude, watching Jen inspect my head and holding my hands from going back to rub it. “I’m fine, Mommy,” “You know you’re not supposed to land face first, baby,” Jen said, sounding a lot calmer almost with a hint of humor. Her sarcasm was a hint that she was not worried. “He does not have a concussion, does he?” I heard Isabella say somewhere behind Jen, sounding more worried. Yup, she has not changed, I do not know how Jen and Alice grew up with such a helicopter parent, though it does explain some of Jen’s isms she has over me. “No, I don’t have a concussion, I just headbutted your floor,” I said a little sassier than I expected. “It's just a little red Mom, I am sure he is just more startled than anything,” I watched Jen say, feeling ignored. I rolled my eyes and was about to say another thing, but I saw that Jen picked up my pacifier. I instantly closed my mouth to keep it from being inserted again, which made Jen giggle. “Calm down, sweetie, I will keep a hold of it if you are not fussy. But if I hear you start fussing again it will go back in,” Jen said with a smile, almost as if it was a game. “I’m not fussy, I promise,” I said keeping my composure. Jen just smiled and helped me up on my feet, and then felt my pull-up. “Good job, honey, your pull-up feels wet,” Jen praised, “let's go to the potty and see if you still have any juice left in the tank.” I only blushed and looked to see Isabella smiling and walking in the opposite direction as Jen was leading me. “Jennifer, once you get Charlie all straightened out let’s get on the road,” I heard Isabella say behind me as I saw light enter the room, probably opening the blinds since I was done taking a nap. “Mommy, how long was I asleep?” I asked as I saw her pick up my diaper bag on the way to the bathroom. “Oh, I would say at least a solid hour, maybe a little more,” Jen said, ushering me into a giant bathroom. Jen led me to a pristine-looking porcelain thrown, where she started to undo my pants and inspect my pull-up a little further. “Yup, look, baby, your stars are starting to fade,” Jen praised, showing me how well I did. It was still weird to hear so much praise for wetting my pull-up, this time was just because I was sleeping. “Baby, you want to do it on the potty, or you want to do it just standing next to it?” she asked. Did it matter what position I went to potty? My shorts got pulled down the rest of the way to my ankles and I soon found myself much like before, sitting on the potty with Jen holding on to me as if I was scared. “I don’t need to go,” I told her, not feeling the need to pee. “Well let's just sit here for a little bit,” Jen instructed softly, as she sat with me. “See, I knew you needed to go potty,” she said as I felt myself suddenly going. How was Jen doing this? “Mommy, how did you know I had to go?” I asked, wondering if it was wisdom or witchcraft. “I didn’t, your body is already associated the toilet with going potty. I am just using that suggestion to help transfer it faster to your pull-up,” Jen said proudly, watching her theory work in action. When I was done Jen helped me down and felt my pull-up, “You still got a little ways to go before you need to be changed. Can you try to go potty again while we are driving to the museum?” Jen asked me. “I can try,” I said shyly. Jen just smiled and pulled up my shorts, I tried to button them myself, but she only showed my hand away. “There you go, ready to hit the road,” she said

Chapter Sixteen I don’t know what came over me after Jen led me to the bathroom, I was just standing there staring at the toilet remembering everything Adam and I talked about and everything that had happened this past week. Part of me wanted to use the toilet, wanted to be independent and self-reliant. The other part of me questioned why I was even thinking about the potty, that the potty was something that I should not worry about, and Mommy always made sure that I was alright. Once Jen helped me with my shorts and got me ready to use the potty like a big boy I just froze, all the thoughts that were in my head were gone. My head was blank except for two things, the potty and Mommy. It was like I had to make a choice, use the potty and push Mommy away or choose Mommy and let her sort things out. Suddenly there were too many emotions boiling over and all I wanted was for Mommy to make things better, I did not want to choose. Of course, I forgot that my pants were down, and when I tried to go to Mommy I just tripped and fell into her arms. My body kind of took over from there, all my emotions turned into tears, and everything just came out, and I mean everything. When I realized I was wetting myself it only made me cry that much harder, I felt even worse when I realized I just peed on my wife like I was helpless. Luckily Jen is the most wonderful wife I could ever have and a wonderful Mommy. I was not scolded one bit for my accident, she just held me, wet shorts, and all. The next thing I knew Jen went from hugging me and rubbing my back to picking me up, she didn’t even flinch when she supported my wet bottom. She said bubble bath, which Jen and I do have a garden tub in our privet bathroom and a small tub in the shared one upstairs. Thankfully I have stopped crying, but I still hate that the stairs scare me while I am being held. Once I felt Jen take the first step, I just closed my eyes and held on, I hate being afraid. “You’re ok, I got you,” I heard Jen say while I felt her start rubbing my back again. Jen only paused at the top of the stairs to open the door on the baby gate, to be honest, I am not sure what I think about that thing. Jen did not seem to have any trouble opening it and finally was fully upstairs. I did open my eyes again and I spotted the baby gate closed again, her deterrent for me to not go downstairs without her knowing, it's not that I can’t open it but I just have a hard time. Jen made her way threw our bedroom and straight into our bathroom before she put me back down on my own two feet. “Mommy, I am sorry I peed on you,” I said again, seeing again that she was as wet as I was, if not more. “What did I tell you, baby, you got nothing to worry about,” Jen said before kissing my forehead. As I stood in the middle of the bathroom, Jen moved around me and started to turn the faucet onto our garden tub. Once she felt the right temperature was reached, she plugged the drain and moved to get her lavender-scented bubble from under the sink and squirted some of it into the tub. “Come here, sweetie, let’s take those wet clothes off,” she commanded in the sweetest of voices. “I can do it, Mommy,” I said meekly, still feeling guilty for what just happened. “I know you can, I just want to help is all,” Jen said softly. I stepped over to her and lowered my gaze. “Baby?” I heard Jen say, probably wondering if I was going to cry again. I saw her hand move to gently guide my chin up so I would be looking at her, I thought she was going to say something but all she did was kiss me on the lips. The shock of her lips touching mine made me focus directly on her. “I tell you what, if you let me help you undress, I will have you help me undress,” I heard her say, pausing momentarily before continuing. “Since we are both wet, how about we share the bubbles? Plus I am sure my little hubby could use some extra cuddles.” I did not know what to say so I just nodded my head. I soon found my shirt pulled over my head and my shorts and underwear around my ankles allowing me to step out and kicked to the side. Once my clothes were off started to hesitate, but Jen put my hand on my shirt and encouraged me to do as she did. Once I was done helping her out of her clothes and putting them in the same pile as mine, she stepped into the tub and held her hand out so she could help me get in and not slip. Jen sat down first before she guided me between her legs, with my back to her. I just sat there watching the bubble get bigger and bigger, enjoying the skin contact with Jen. Jen must have been satisfied with the water level because I saw her hand reach beside me and turn the water off. I could not see Jen's face, but I knew she had a smile on by the way I watched her hands start playing with the bubbles in front of me, trying to encourage me to relax and play myself. I started to mimic her hand motions and started to play in the bubbles, letting my stress melt away. I soon watched her hand disappear behind me but soon felt a loofa start scrubbing my back. “Mommy, I can. . .” was all I got out before I got cut off. “Shh, let me wash you while you play,” she said sweetly, not leaving any room to argue. There was a little bit of silence before I heard Jen ask me a question, “Baby since Sunday night you have been telling me that you can do it like you don’t want me to help you. Why is that?” I started to pull the memories from now till this last Sunday, she was right. I stopped playing with the bubbles and just folded my hands under the water, though Jen continued to clean me moving to my arms and chest. “I don’t know,” I told her looking down, feeling bad about saying something I didn’t realize I was doing. As her question rattled around in my head, I started to realize. “It’s like part of me wants to be your big bad husband who is strong and independent, and the other part of me just wants to be your little boy and just let you take care of all my worries,” I started to say. As I said those words out loud it was like I had a weight lifted off. “It’s like I have a big side and a little side that is fighting against each other.” My emotions were starting to swell up again as my eyes started to get watery. “Stand up, sweetie, I want to wash your lower half,” I heard Jen instruct. I did as I was told and stood up covering my front side with my hands. “Honey, I have been trying to tell you that you are more of a little than you thought,” Jen said as she was busy scrubbing my backside. “Ya, but why does it feel like I have to choose between being your husband and being your baby?” I said, trying to hold my tears back. “Turn around, for me,” Jen instructed softly giving my butt a playful pat. When Jen saw me covering myself, she just shooed my hands away and got to work making sure I was squeaky clean. “Charlie, you don’t need to choose. You are both, and I love you for who you are, you bring me so much joy,” she said lovingly. “Yeah, but. . .” I started to say. “No-no, baby, no butts. You are an amazing person, I know you are having a hard time learning about your little side, but that is why I am here. Let me help you learn and grow,” she encouraged, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “You want to help wash Mommy?” Jen asked, presenting me with the loofa. I looked at the loofa as Jen encouraged me to take it. Jen guided my hands and helped me wash her from top to bottom, front to back. “All clean Mommy,” I said making her turn around and seeing me blush at her beauty. “Now that we are clean, we can enjoy the warm water and have some bubble cuddles,” she said, making me look up at her. Jen and I have been married for a while now but seeing her stark naked still makes me blush. Jen sat back down in the bubbles guiding me down to lay on top of her. I found myself much in the same position as she held me when she stood up but just naked, legs around her, my belly touching hers, and my head resting on her breast. Jen just held me there with her arms around me till the water went cold, forcing us to get out and drain the tub. Once we were out of the tub and all dry, I followed Jen to the bedroom and watched her put on a tank top, clean undies, and shorts. When she was done, she just turned, looked at me, and put her hands on her hips. “Hmm, well I think it safe to say that we can put your undies in storage, if not just get rid of them altogether,” Jen said with a smile, trying to encourage my growing happy mood. I don’t know how she does it, but Jen always knows what to do to make me feel better. Her cuddles soothed my emotions, calming my heart to a normal flutter. I just stood there nodding my head with my hands trying to cover myself for modesty. “Does that mean I am back in diapers full-time?” I asked, curious about what Jen’s plan was. “Honey quit playing with yourself,” Jen said moving closer to me, swatting one hand away while taking the other in one of hers. “And you are not ready yet for diapers full-time honey,” she said, answering my question. I was led out of our room, down the hall, and to the closed door of my nursery. Jen looked down at me, still naked, “I am sorry that the first step in your reverse potty training was hard, but it's smooth sailing from here on out. Are you ready to embrace your little side my cute baby hubby?” she said with honey in her voice. I took a deep breath and squeezed Jen’s hand, “Yes Mommy,” I said nervous and happy at the same time. Jen gently squeezed her hand in return, letting me know she was there and would not let me fall, and then opened my nursery. Jen led me in and over to the now fully stocked changing station and pulled out a pull-up covered with a babyish cartoon character. I did not know what to do, I truly wanted this, but it was still so hard to just jump in. “It's ok, honey, I know you questioning a lot right now,” she said, drawing my attention from the pull-up to her. “The feeling you are having right now is why I want to take baby steps, your pull-up will help you have the best of both worlds right now, help you transition to your diapers.” Jen just kissed me on my forehead before unfolding the pull-up and helping me step inside. “And up it goes. . . oh, we want you pointing down little sir,” she said getting my new undergarment situated just right. “How does it feel, honey?” I looked down, it looked different, though I was not sure what I was expecting. “It’s thicker than my boxers, but like super thin compared to the diapers I wear to bed,” I told her before looking back at her. “I thought you said I wet too much for pull-up.” “For bedtime, yes,” Jen started to explain simply, “but during the daytime, you are still struggling to relax and just let yourself go when you need to. With these, you can still pull them down and use the big boy potty.” “I still don’t get it, pull-ups are for potty training, not the other way around,” I said confused. Jen just smiled and started to walk over to my chest of drawers, looking for pajamas I presume. “Normally, yes, pull-ups are used to help potty train. But that does not mean we can not use them to go from potty trained to not,” she said pulling out a similar shirt and short combo to the one I wore last Saturday. “While you are wearing pull-ups, I want you to concentrate on wetting yourself as much as possible,” she said as she slipped the shirt over my head. “When I say as much as possible, I don’t mean in volume, but as in frequency.” Jen held my shorts open as I used hers for balance and stepped in, allowing her to pull them up and over my pull-up. “Don’t you look adorable, look baby, your jammies have a bear on them.” “If I pee more often then won't that also mean that I would have a lot of pee coming out?” I asked, not quite following her thought process. After Jen stopped admiring how adorable I was in my pajamas she sat down on her knees, held both of my hands, and smiled at me. “When someone starts to learn to use the potty, we teach them what that feeling is when they got to go potty,” Jen said positively, trying to help me learn. “When our little ones figure out that sensation, they can learn to hold it and go to the toilet and use the potty, the more they practice the longer they learn to hold it. Eventually, it becomes muscle memory.” “Right, I get that,” I said letting her know she has not lost me yet. “Ok, so we are going to reverse that,” she said, adding a pause to make sure she still had my attrition. “I want you to focus on forgetting what that sensation is. I want you to try and just keep your bladder relaxed, if you feel the need to potty, let it go.” That made sense, but one thing still bothered me, “but why the pull-up? Could I just do that in a diaper?” My questions must have made Jen proud because her smile grew, “Very good, baby, the pull-up will help with two functions. I will be setting you on the potty occasionally, to see if you have been holding your urine. Your goal will barely need to go or not even at all. I want you to go potty in your pull-up without thinking, making the need to use the toilet null and void.” “What about going number two?” I asked genuinely curious and a little nervous. “Same concept, you focus on just letting that go as soon as the need arises,” she said simply as if me shitting myself did not phase her one bit. I must have made a face because she continued to say, “Baby, I have already changed your poopy diapers, it’s a natural thing our bodies do, there is nothing to be ashamed of or bashful about. Going pee-pee will be easier but eventually, I am sure both will come naturally to you. The second reason for your pull-ups will be for you to get used to using them in public. It will give you the ability to use the potty when you are having a hard time. Once you have proven that you can't keep your pull-up dry both in public and at home, we will count you as officially un-potty trained and graduate to diapers.” I stood there, looking Jen in the eyes, soaking up what she had just told me. “How long will it take, and would you ever re-potty train me?” “Honey, every toddler is different. I am sure you will get it in no time. And potty training in the future is always an option, but don’t stress about that, let’s just focus on today,” Jen said standing up and running her fingers through my somewhat wet hair. Jen took my hand once again and started to lead me out of the room, but I glanced at the crib sitting in the corner and saw Lady Frankie and my stuffed squid sitting inside next to the pillow. I started to walk in that direction so I could grab them and take them with me, I only got a little resistance from Jen before she saw where I was going and let me go. “There you guys are,” I said as I picked them both up, holding them both in one arm as I reached for Jen’s hand again. “Did you miss them?” Jen asked, leading me out of the nursery. “I thought I lost them,” I said before reaching the top of the stairs. “Mommy, can we get rid of the baby gate, I don’t like it.” It was true, it was harder to sneak downstairs in the early mornings. “Nope, I like it. Keeps you from getting into mischief,” Jen said with a smile before opening the gate and taking the lead down the stairs. Jen put my free hand on the railing and made sure that I did not fall. I could only smile knowing that Jen truly cared for me. “How about we order a pizza for dinner, you had an eventful evening, and I don’t feel like cooking.” I just shrugged my shoulders, “Do I have to eat? I did eat lunch and breakfast.” My comment earned me a look from Jen. “We don’t have to have pizza, but I would like for you to eat a little something,” Jen said encouragingly, making her way to the kitchen. I did not know what I wanted, not even sure if I was hungry or not hungry. I followed Jen to the kitchen like a lost puppy, I was enjoying being next to her way too much. I stood by her side, not touching her but just close enough to feel her warm aura, but I did hear Jen root around in the cabinet, probably getting a drink for her or me. “So, what is your squid's name, baby? Oh, found it.” I heard her ask as I was not paying attention. “I don’t know, maybe Kraki because he is a baby kraken?” I said looking at my stuffed squid, listening to Jen fill up a glass of water. Suddenly, I felt something get shoved in my mouth, though after a quick inspection with my tongue and the feeling I had around my mouth told me it was a pacifier. I quickly looked up to Jen and tried to push it out, but she just held it in giving me the look of don’t you dare take it out. “I have been looking for your binky for a while, since Monday morning,” Jen said surprised at how long it stayed hidden from her. “I tell you what my cute little monster, you either can eat pizza with me, give me a suggestion on what you would like to eat, or I will be satisfied if you let me make you a healthy smoothie you can drink from your bottle.” My eyes widened; I knew she was serious. I watched her turn to pull down my bottle, which made me start to scramble for words. “Mommy, wait,” I lisped behind my pacifier. I almost thought she did not understand me so went to reach to take it out before her eye caught what I was about to do. “Leave it,” Jen said firmly, “I can understand you just fine baby.” I watch Jen pull out the blender from the cabinets below and then some berries, bananas, almond milk, and some yogurt. I got one more look from Jen, and a moment of pause, questioning if I had a final answer to what I wanted to eat. A smoothie did sound good, Jen usually made really good ones, but why did it need to be in the bottle? I looked at her with a worried look and did my best to talk around my pacifier, “A smoothie sounds good, but no bottle, please.” “Smoothie it is, but why no bottle? You like your bottle; well, you did this last weekend.” Jen commented, before tossing the ingredients into the blender. I could not bear to watch what she decided to put it in, so I went to the living room and sat on the far side of the couch. I heard the blender turn on and then off, but Jen took a minute to come into the living room to find me. Eventually, I watched her come in, tapping on her phone, and holding one of my lidded cups that had a straw. I did not know how much my pacifier hid my smile, but I was so happy that I got a cup. Jen set her phone down at the same time she sat down on the opposite end of the couch I was sitting on. From the glance I took at her phone I saw she just ordered her pizza from our favorite pizza joint that was super close to the house. Jen did not give me the smoothie rather she used it to lure me closer to her, most likely to snatch me up and hold me. I eagerly took the bait, getting up and going to her. Jen handed me the cup with one hand instructing me, “Both hands please.” Once I started to reach for the cup she reached for my pacifier, pulling it from my mouth. “Do not hide your pacifier little boy, or you will get two more in its place with one strapped to your shirt,” Jen said playfully, though I felt like she was not just teasing. I still earned a smile and soon found myself on her lap, watching TV as she waited for the pizza. We made it almost to the end of one of the episodes of our show before we got a knock at our door, earning a playful pat on the exposed part of my butt, reminding me of my pull-up that somehow escaped my mind. I slid off Jen’s lap, setting my drink on the coffee table. When the door opens, and I see the pizza guy I suddenly get self-conscious in my pajamas, though I had no way of hiding. Jen eventually got her pizza from the delivery person, shut the door, and made her way back to her spot on the couch. I took the spot beside her as she set her pizza box on the coffee table and opened it up. With us both settled, the show played on and we both enjoyed our dinner, however, her pizza did smell good. I was nearly done with my smoothie when Jen paused the show to get herself a drink, I could not help but just eye her pizza. Normally she just gets mushrooms and olives put on her pizza, which makes me wonder why she did not this time. She only got pepperoni and ham, which is my favorite combo, it was simple and delicious. Jen surprised me when she got back, “What took you so long? I thought you were just getting a drink?” I asked, trying to figure out what sorcery she was brewing up in the kitchen. “I was getting your bottle ready for later, I think it will be a nightly ritual for us,” she said, pressing play to the show once again. I finished the last slurps of my smoothie, looking perplexed. “Bottle? Ritual? Why, I had dinner, I ate good, I don’t need a bottle, Mommy!” I said with a whine to my voice. “No need to get fussy, honey. I noticed the nights I got you to drink some warm milk from your bottle before bed you actually slept a little longer, and then I think your binky also has been helping,” Jen said, almost sounding like she was talking to me as if I was a toddler. “I do not,” I said with a huff, putting my cup down on the coffee table and cuddling into her. “Deny all you want but the last few days that I did not give you a bottle and your binky, you did not stay in bed very long. You barely make it to three AM before you start wiggling,” Jen says, as she grabs her third slice of pizza. Now I am good, I was full enough to be satisfied and did not have the energy to eat. . . However, Jen's pizza did look good. About halfway through her current slice, she saw me eye her food. “I thought I didn’t want pizza?” Jen said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. I instantly turned to watch the show, ignoring what Jen was doing. When Jen grabbed a fourth slice, she only took one small bite before she said, “I don’t think I can finish this piece, if only there was someone that would help me.” With that comment I knew exactly what her plan was all along, she is so mean. “Baby, you want a bite of Mommy’s food?” Jen asked, lacing her words with sugar. I tried to ignore her and just watch TV but of course, I knew Jen was not done, trying to con me into eating something solid. “Not even one little bite?” Jen said putting the slice of pizza in my far peripheral, making me turn my head to look at it. Jen scooted the slice closer to my mouth and gent said, “Bite.” I just took a deep breath and gave in, knowing she would bug me if I didn’t. “There we go, good job,” she cooed, praising me for a simple task. Jen took turns eating her slice of pizza and feeding me a bite, I did not want to admit but the pizza was good, and I was glad she wanted to share. Jen left the last half of the pizza alone and did not move to put it in the fridge till we were a couple more episodes in from finishing the fourth slice together, which instead of pausing the show she turned it off. I stayed on the couch, falling to my side as Jen got up, too comfortable to move. Jen just smiled at me before she closed the pizza box and took it to the kitchen. I heard the fridge open and then close a short moment later, and then there were a few beeps before I heard the microwave turn on. “Charlie, sweetie, come here for a minute,” I heard Jen say from the kitchen. With a soft groan, I rolled off the couch and trudged to the kitchen. As I reached the kitchen, I watched Jen pull out a cup of milk from the microwave and pour it into my bottle. When she was done, she just put the top on, raised the cup, and then reached down and put her hand on my pull-up. “Feels dry, lets see if your stars are fading,” Jen says pulling my shorts down without worrying. “Mommy,” I said on reflex, moving my hands to pull my shorts up. “Sweetie, just relax,” Jen said, putting her hands on mine, stopping me from pulling my shorts up. “Did you forget your wearing a pull-up?” I just nodded my head and blushed, “It feels so thin, I just forgot.” “That makes me happy, that means you’re comfortable in them,” Jen said with a smile, before pointing to the padding I was wearing. “See these stars, they will disappear if you get them wet.” “I forgot to go potty, I’m So. . .” I tried to say before Jen put a finger to my lips. “Baby, you need to quit apologizing, you not doing anything wrong. You won't get it at first,” Jen said before turning me around and ushering me towards the downstairs bathroom. As soon as I stepped in and I saw the same potty I had my little meltdown, but mommy did not have me face it. Jen turned me around to face her as she pulled my shorts down, leaving my pullup on, picked me up, and placed me on the potty. Jen must have felt how nervous I was, she did not let me go, her hand was on the outer part of each thy. “Try and go pee-pee sweetie,” Jen said encouragingly. “But Mommy, you forgot to pull my pull-up down,” I said hesitantly. “If we were potty training I would agree,” Jen started to say. “Remember, we are working on getting you used to using your pull-up.” Jen just rubbed my legs and smiled, “Just relax, honey, the pull-up can hold more than what you think. Take a deep breath and . . . Good job, sweetie,” she praised as she started to see stars disappear, indicating I was finally going potty. “Good job sweetie, that was not so bad,” I don’t know why it was hard to pee, maybe it was Jen watching me, or because I did not want to use the potty, but hearing her praise me made me feel like I did a good job. After a little while Jen just looked at me caringly, “You done, baby?” “Yes Mommy,” I said, giving her a slight nod. Jen helped me off the potty and pulled my shorts up over my wet pull-up. I furrowed my brow and looked down at my covered pull-up and then back at the potty. “Don’t you worry yourself about the potty honey, you were my good little boy and went in your pull-up,” she said, giving me a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Depending on how soggy you are will determine if we put a fresh pull-up on. But since you are about to go night-night, I will just take you up to your nursery and get you put in your night diaper,” she said with a smile. Jen helped me wash my hands and hers at the same time and then ushered me back out of the bathroom. “Go get Lady Frankie and Kraki,” Jen instructed, pointing to where they were on the couch. Jen waited for me to move before she stepped into the kitchen, presumably to grab the bottle she was going to give me. As I walked to the couch I noticed a large difference in my pull-up, I could tell that it was saturated. If I were to go potty again, I am not sure how much it was going to hold. If Jen’s plan works eventually, I will be going through these pull-ups quite a bit. By the time I grabbed my bunny and squid and made it to the bottom of the steps Jen was right behind me with my bottle and pacifier in her hand. Before we started our assent Jen made sure all the lights were off and the front door was locked. “Mommy, I am not tired,” I said, winning about going to bed at nine o’clock at night. “You’re not going to bed just yet, I still need to change your diaper and give you your bottle,” she said, reaching over me to open the gate. “It’s a pull-up Mommy, not a diaper,” I corrected her. “Sorry, I need to change your pull-up into a nice thick comfy diaper, so my baby sleeps all night without waking up,” Jen corrected herself, most likely with a smirk on her face. Jen guided me into the nursery and hoisted me up onto the changing table. As Jen pulled my shorts off and started to rip my pull-up, I started reflecting on the day. Today I think I finally saw the last of my grownup underpants. Somehow the events that happened since Jen came home were scary yet magical, I don’t think I could do this without her. Before I knew it Jen was blowing raspberries on my tummy. “There's my little daydreamer,” I hear Jen say as I try to hold my giggles in. Before Jen let me down, she put my shorts back on, completing my pajamas once more. I stood there looking at Jen for what to do next, she held my bottle and pacifier in her hands, looking back and forth from the rocker to the crib. I started to get worried, Jen took a step towards the crib making me cry out, “Mommy, no. I want to sleep with you.” “Baby, I know you want to sleep with me, and I want you to as well,” Jen started to say softly. I did not understand why I was so emotional since my meltdown in the bathroom but all I felt compelled to do was follow her to try and get closer to her. Jen kept taking steps to the crib before I got to her and I was nearly in tears. “Oh, you are tired,” she said as she set my bottle and pacifier aside to pick me up. “No crib, Mommy,” I started to cry. I instantly went to try and attach myself to Jen like a little koala to its mother, holding on to dear life. “Hush now,” Jen cooed as she just rocked me side to side. It didn’t take long before Jen laid down with me in the crib, it only took one role for her to get me lying between her and the railing, leaving the open side to her back. Jen just laid there with me, stroking my face and playing with my hair. After a moment I felt Jen’s hand leave me, making me look to see what she was doing. She reached up and flipped a switch making the airplane mobile on the crib start flying in circles and playing a soft lullaby. The next thing she did was reach behind her, grab the bottle, and present the nipple to my lips. I knew the milk tasted good, but I did not want to go to bed, this was not fair, I wanted to stay up. I tried to turn my head away but as she rubbed the nipple of the bottle on my lips a little drop of milk slipped out making me reflexively open my mouth. Jen took the opportunity and put the nipple in my mouth, but I still did not start sucking it. “You really not going to drink?” Jen said lightly. The saliva in my mouth got too much and I had no choice other than to swallow, starting the chain effect of me suckling the bottle and drinking the sweet and warm milk. I tried to put a pouty face on while I was drinking but Jen just smiled and continued to cuddle me. Halfway through I tried to force my eyes to stay open, but I couldn’t. I just needed to close them for a little bit, then I would open them again, but then again, Mommy was warm. The next thing I remember was sitting on a lawn chair at the airport with my airplanes flying above in a circle, though that is normal, I do have slow days at work when I can just enjoy the day. I took another drink of my milk before looking to my right, noticing that Jen was at work with me. “Jen? What are you doing here? It’s the middle of the day,” I asked confused. “You’re so silly, baby, we are having lunch together. Alice said you were having a bad day and were missing me.” Jen responded with a smile. “If you are done with your bottle, we can go back inside?” Bottle? I quickly looked at my glass of milk, why was it a bottle? “Mommy I can drink this at work, it’s not professional. I watched Mommy just take my bottle and put it behind her into her purse. “Thanks, please promise you won’t do that again,” I asked as politely as I could. “Of course, sweetie,” Mommy just smiles, stroking my face gently. “Honey since lunch is over, I need to go back to work myself,” As Mommy got up out of her chair, I suddenly felt cold.” “Jen, please don’t go,” I said without thinking. “Erm, I mean Mommy, you can stay if you want.” Mommy just smiled and ran her hands threw my hair, “Shh, it's ok.” Mommy then kissed me on the lips before putting a pacifier in my mouth. I tried to pull it out, but I only heard Mommy's soft voice, “Shh, only Mommies can take these out, be a good boy for Mommy, won’t you?” I couldn’t talk but just watch as she helped my best friend Lady Franky in the chair next to mine and our good buddy Kraki in the other chair. “Here, baby, your friends will keep you company while I am gone, ok?” Jen soothed me, making me feel better, work is always better with friends. Before Mommy left, she reached down and felt my diaper, “This won't stay dry for long will it, baby? It's ok, that is what your diapers are for. It was a little embarrassing to have Mommy check my diaper at work but it's ok, I know she does it because she cares. I watched Mommy close the fence around where we were sitting, watching my airplanes fly around. She was also kind enough to turn on the lamp across the yard, Mommy is the best, always thinking of me. Once I realized Mommy was not going to come back, I decided to go back inside, there were tons of things that needed to get done. As I walked through the door I saw my reflection in the window, I was still in my jammies that Mommy put on. It did bother me, but what was I going to do, I was already at work. I made my way through the building passing Aunty Alice in her office, she was always busy, though she always seemed to be checking on me. Luckily my office was right next door to hers and she never had to go far to find me. “Good morning little Charlie, you have a good lunch with Mommy,” I heard my secretary Haylie say from her desk. I could not believe my ears; did she say what I thought she said? I tried to talk but my Mommy left my binky in my mouth, so all I could do was nod my head in shame. “Good deal, I am sure you will be good to go for the rest of the day,” she said as I tried to sneak into my office. When I sat down at my desk, I went to pick up my play telephone and pretended to make phone calls like Mommy and Aunty Alice do, because that is what grownups do. After a few phone calls, Lady Frankie started to make a commotion, asking to go play. I could only put my play phone up and join her, I mean what was I going to say? The more I played with my best bunny friend the more my office seemed to just melt away. After a while, I paused and looked around. Why is my office filled with baby toys? I got to go to work, this is work! With a great whoosh everything went blank, and all the color just disappeared in a title wave of water that was pitch black. I turned around to figure out where everything was but all I saw was nothingness an empty void. I was never afraid of the dark, or being alone, but this pit of unholy darkness would give even the strongest and bravest nightmares. Soon panic started to creep up my spine, I still could not see anything, but I could feel it. Suddenly a monstrous vice, deep and scratchy called out, “Charlie.” I spun around as quickly as I could, causing the binky Mommy gave me to fall from my mouth. Instantly there was emptiness inside me, matching the increasingly rising panic. Once again, I tried to look around to find someone or something to focus on but there was nothing. Maybe if I start walking, I will get some ware, this place cannot last forever. In the distance I saw a small little light, ‘What is that?’ I thought to myself, trying to pick up a small jog to get there faster. There was only so far, I could go till I felt like I was not going anywhere, it was like there was some barrier keeping me from going anywhere. “Charlie,” The monster's voice cried out again. “Who are you,” I shouted back as I spun around, putting my back to the invisible barrier. What! it can't be, “GO AWAY,” I screamed, trying to get my childhood nightmare to leave me alone. What was this guy doing here? I thought I was done with this guy. I rubbed my eyes to try and make him go away but he was still there in all his glory at a whopping eight foot tall. All I knew was this guy was a menace to me as a kid, his giant long fangs were always dripping with saliva, and his scaly body was all sorts of dark green except for his tan leathery belly. He always stood on his hind legs, and his arms were so long they almost dragged on the floor when he walked. When I saw him stretch his giant hands across the darkness to reach for me all I could do was just turn away and close my eyes, this barrier was keeping me trapped with this monster. “GO AWAY, GO AWAY,” I shouted at the top of my lungs, as tears started to roll down my face. “Charlie,” I heard in an odd voice, not caring what it sounded like I still just tried to find a way out. There must be a way out, why was I stuck? Was this barrier covered in glue, this is not fair. Maybe if I just close my eyes, it won’t see me, that works right? Suddenly the barrier just disappeared like it was never there. “AH, MONSTER, GO AWAY,” I screamed as my life depended on it, the monster finally got me, out of all these years it was now that it finally got me. I tried to squirm and thrash but it was no use, I was trapped. Tears were flowing like a waterfall from my eyes, I would never see Mommy again. If she was here, she could scare the monster away. “Wake up Charlie, you're having a nightmare,” I hear from the right beside me. I try to open my eyes but it’s no use, there are too many tears, and I can’t see. At least that’s one good thing, at least I won't see when the monster eats me. “Baby, wake up!” I hear a woman say, she almost sounds worried. “You’re having a nightmare, sweetie,” I hear the voice say again. How can this be, this is no nightmare, this is real, the monster has me in its hand. If this was a nightmare, why would I be able to feel the warmth from its soft scaley skin, and why would the monster sound like Mommy? . . . Wait, Mommy? As if by magic I could open my eyes again, and I could see my room again. The light was still on, and I was safely in Mommy's arms. The fear though was still inside me, very much lingering like a smoldering flame amongst a pile of ash. “You're ok, sweetie, I got you,” I hear Jen say lovingly as I feel her sway back and forth, rubbing my back. “Mommy, it was so scary, it was so real,” I said between sobs. I did my best to regain my composure, it took all of my willpower to just stop crying. The spine-numbing panic though left me shivering, the only thing that was warm enough it seemed like was Jen. I didn’t know where we were going and I didn’t care, I just clung to her, desperately holding on as if my soul depended on it. “You’re ok, baby, Mommy has you,” Jen said trying to soothe me as she was walking. “I don’t know what happened,” I managed to say meekly, “suddenly you were there, and then you weren’t. I eventually fell into darkness and my boogie monster came to eat me.” “Honey, you’re safe,” I heard Jen say softly, “It was just a nightmare, I know it seemed real, but it is not real.” I tried to look around, but it was still so dark all around, why was it still dark? I felt Jen sit down and gently crawl back into ‘our’ bed and hold me close, covering us both in covers. I took a deep breath in with my nose, and I smelled the familiar scent of lavender and Jasmin, as long as Mommy was here, I knew I was safe. “Mommy,” I said barely audible from beneath the covers. “Yes darling,” I not only heard her say but felt as well. Normally I would not be cling this tight or so close, but she was the only thing keeping me comfortable right now. “Can you turn the lamp on, please?” I asked desperately hoping my boogie monster wouldn’t come again. I never hear Jen say a word, just a small movement and a ‘click.’

After everything has happened it will be interesting to see who starts to fuss the most about Conners protection, I mean he does not have any nanites anymore. I am also courious if Makenzie will make an appearance with Conners next few scenes that are getting filled with him dressed as Brianna.

Chapter Fifteen Jen was true to her word; I have been put back in undies to start my reverse potty training. For the past three and a half days I have been able to use the potty whenever I want, well as long as I ask that is. Even though I was in diapers only for a few days, it was weird to not be in diapers anymore. Not sure if I missed diapers or the attention that I got, Jen has slowed down on babying me and everything, she also put a big red stamp that read ‘pending’ across some of our new rules that we signed this last Saturday. There was a temporary Rule that was added stating that I needed help from an approved adult to help me go potty. She also closed the door to my nursery; she told me that I did not need that room, and she said I was a big boy who used the potty. She also has been refraining from calling me her baby or any other cute pet name, she just calls me Charlie, however, I still am required to call her Mommy. Today, however, was Thursday and I got a surprise visit from Adam. But at the moment he is in our home office with Jen while I am standing in the corner in time out for using the toilet without permission. To be honest I was not trying to show off but just thought that since Adam was here I could get away without asking. Jen was serious about me asking to use the toilet. I tried to argue my case, but even Adam backed Jen up and simply pointed to my timeout corner. “Mommy, I’m sorry, I want to be done!” I said trying to get Jen’s attention. “Charlie it's only been three minutes, you have a while to go,” I heard Jen say firmly from the other room. Unfair, how is it that when Adam comes over, I get in trouble? I guess I must be honest with myself, I miss the attention Jen was giving me this last weekend. It's not like I am not given attention, it's just different somehow, I just don’t know how to explain it. I have yet to pee my pants like I am supposed to, though not for lack of Jen’s encouragement. Monday was almost normal but the more I used the potty the more Jen treated me like an adult. Jen also did something to Lady Frankie, I cannot find her anywhere, I can’t even find the stuffed Kraken I found Sunday. It feels like once Jen put me in underwear again it was like the babying slowly stopped, the only time I am diapered is for bed like normal. When my new diapers that she said she ordered for me came on Monday she would not let me see them, she said that if I wanted to see them, I needed to earn them. Jen still helped me pick out my clothes, today I was in just some shorts and a T-shirt. Ugh, how long have I been in time out, this is lasting forever. The corner that is used for timeout is the far corner of the living room opposite the stairs. When I am in timeout, I cannot see anything other than the paint on the wall. But I can hear though and if my ears are hearing correctly, I think Jen and Adam just entered the room. “Charlie, please come here,” I hear Jen’s voice from behind me. As I turn, I find both Jen and Adam sitting on the couch with Jen’s hand pointing to the spot in front of her on the other side of the coffee table. I stood where I was told and looked at Jen nervously, waiting for her to say something. “Charlie, do you understand why you were sent to the corner?” Jen asked me in her soft even tone. I looked down and softly said, “I did not ask for help to use the potty.” “Charlie, look at me please,” she said, making me look at her. “I know you are excited to spend some time with Adam but that does not mean you need to break the rules.” “Yes, Ma’am,” I told her softly, glancing at Adam and his calm posture. “While you and Adam are hanging out, I am going to go and run some Arends,” Jen started to say, putting my full attention on her. “When I am gone, Adam is in charge.” I just stared at Jen; this was the first time since Saturday that she had not been with me. Even the past two days at home I was still somewhere around her. Adam was one of the first ones that Jen enlisted to help her keep me honest about the rules that Jen and I first agreed to, I guess it’s only natural that he is also one of the few who is an approved caregiver in her absence. My attention went from Jen to Adam. “You know what that means right, Charlie?” Adam said in his deep husky voice. “Yeah,” I said simply. This was not a surprise, there have been a few times that Adam was involved with my rules and punishments. Adam is one of my best friends, he has been there for me since high school and has never let anyone pick on me. He helped me with my confidence when we were in college. When I was not with my brother or my father, Adam was always there for me. I saw a small hesitation in Jen’s words, almost as if she was holding back on something, “You have not drunk anything since breakfast, please get a drink.” I nodded my head and made my way into the kitchen, leaving Jen and Adam on the couch still talking about something. I grabbed my cup from the counter and opened the fridge, I overheard a sniffle and then Jen's voice, “I will be back Adam, please call me if something happens.” I pulled my attention from their small conversation, looked in the fridge, and started to reach for the full pitcher of tea to fill my cup. I shut the fridge door while I heard the front door open and close, making me peek around the corner, watching Adam come around to the kitchen himself. “So, Jen told me about last weekend, especially what happened this past Sunday,” Adam said simply. Adam may not be as tall as Jen, only an inch or so off, but he was well-built with broad shoulders and muscles to match. One thing that always stood out with Adam outside of the smell of pine and spice was that he always had a level head, even when he was mad. Adam's voice was also way deeper than mine and always captured everyone’s attention. He always tried to be polite around women and made sure not to curse in their presence. His jet-black hair was as well-kept as his muscles, well-trimmed and tidy. Today he was wearing his favorite jeans and a plain black shirt, almost hiding the tattoo he has on his shoulders. “I figured she would tell you,” I told him as I watched him sit at the table. “Alice brought over beer yesterday, it's on the top shelf of the fridge if you want one.” Adam gently shook his head, “I’m good, we are going to take a drive here in a little bit.” “Yeah? Where do you want to go?” I asked intrigued, as I set my cup on the island, so I climbed on the tall stool. “I told Jen I would get you to eat lunch, but first I wanted to talk to you about your cool new chart on the wall,” Adam said with a smile. I just huffed and avoided the statement by taking a drink of my tea. “I noticed that it is full of frowny faces. . .” I heard him say, trying to lead me in talking about it. I sat the cup down; I knew that he was not going to let it go. Adam may be calm and confident, but he is about as stubborn as a mule. “It’s my reverse potty-training chart, Mommy made it for me to help me, but it's no big deal. Where do you want to go eat?” I said, trying to divert the conversation. I about busted up laughing at his serious face and raised eyebrows. He knew all too well I was not a fan of eating, and I was only trying to divert. “Jen said you have been drying for the past two days, no accidents at all,” Adam said keeping on the subject. “Ya, how am I supposed to wet myself like I am some un-potty-trained toddler?” I said flatly. “Why does that have to be the first step?” “I know it’s hard, buddy,” Adam started to say before correcting, “Erm, Charlie.” I quickly pointed to him, trying to catch his correction, “That, what was that, and why has Mommy not been using her normal pet names for me? Is Mommy mad at me?” I think I came across as worried and upset because I saw Adam's face soften. “Jen wants you to choose to be her little boy, she will not force you to,” Adam said trying to convey my Mommy's emotions. “That is not fair, we talked about it already. I said I wanted to be her little boy, diapers, and all. Why are we back at square one?” I asked confused. “Because she does not want to force you, she wants you to back your words up and choose them,” Adam said as if he just gave me the answer to a test, I did not know I was taking. I looked at him with one eyebrow raised, “So how does me peeing my pants with no protection have anything to do with wanting to wear diapers?” “Jennifer saw how hard it was for you to be in public in diapers. She did not know how to get you comfortable in your diapers so she thought why not try to just reverse the potty-training toddlers go through and get you to want them and trust them as well, as well as trusting her that she will be there to care for you,” Adam informed me. “Come on, finish your drink, let’s go take a drive. I know you’re going stir crazy here at the house.” I downed my drink and hopped off my tall stool, following Adam to the front door. “But how can she expect me to pee my pants? That's just absurd, I already did it,” I said feeling beside myself, still stuck on wetting my pants. “I miss the attention I had; she just treats me like a normal adult.” I watched Adam bend down and start putting his shoes on as I just stood there dwelling on our conversation. “Charlie, it is not about wetting your pants. Her thought is that if you can relax enough to wet your pants you can learn to relax and just wet your pull-up without thinking. Once you can learn to do that and not even say you need to go then she will put you back in diapers,” Adam said, looking over at me standing there blankly. I watch him stand up and hand me my shoes, “You might need these.” I sat down and started to put my shoes on under Adam’s watchful gaze. “But it’s hard Adam,” I said swallowing my emotions. “She will not force you to do anything you don’t want, but she is trying to give you support and give you the comfort of your own home to take this big hard step,” I heard Adam’s deep voice explain to me what seemed to be the umpteenth time. As I stood Adam opened the door and walked out with me behind him. Adam suddenly turned around tossing my car keys, “Let’s take the Jeep.” I smiled and took my keys, locked the front door, and then bolted for the Jeep, which had still sitting outside since Sunday. Even though the Jeep was sitting on giant thirty-seven-inch tires I still had no trouble climbing up in it. With all the warm weather I almost always had the jeep's doors and top off. When I was safely buckled up, I put the key in the ignition, pushed the clutch and brake in, and shifted to neutral. I turned the key over to the on position, waiting for three seconds to let the fuel pump prime and start pushing fuel, and then turned the key over. As the old jeep roared to life my face lit up in excitement, driving this thing was one of my favorite things in the world, it was as if driving the jeep was therapy for me. I looked over to my only passenger seat and saw that Adam was already in and ready. I jiggled the shifter a little before pushing it into first then directly back into reverse, easing out of the clutch and giving her a little gas. Once we were on the road I got it back in first and started to take off, ready to go anywhere. “Adam, I just miss the attention that I had, even our cuddles seem a little different,” I said as I turned left and right, making my way out of our neighborhood. Adam chuckled, “It sounds like you miss her babying you.” I paused for a long moment, as I pulled up to the red light I turned to Adam and said, “I guess so.” “There is no guessing about it, and Jennifer is dying to smother you in everything baby. How long have we been friends, Charlie,” Adam asked as I turned my head back to the light. Once the light turned green, I shifted back in first and took back off, “Since I bumped into you our freshman year. “And ever since you and I have been thick as thieves,” I heard Adam say, “You know that when you and Jen started to date, I was a bit skeptical, at one point in time I pulled her aside and told her that if she hurt you that she had to deal with me.” I took a glance at Adam, surprised at this revelation. “Don’t look at me like that, we are bros, and we have to stick up for each other,” Adam said, pausing to see if I was going to respond. “The more you and Jennifer were together, the more I realized you two were the perfect match. She did not even flinch when you told her about you peeing the bed.” I blushed at the mention of my night accidents, “That was the most embarrassing thing in my life.” “And all she did was accept you and take you under her wing,” Adam continued to say. “Ok, I get it, stop reminiscing in the past Adam,” I told him, trying to figure out what Adam was digging at. “I want you to man up and wet your pants,” Adam said directly. I glanced in his direction and saw he was staring in my direction. “Can you just tell her I did so we can move on?” I asked as I started to turn right. “Where are we going anyway?” “There is a good burger place on Third and Madison,” Adam instructed before continuing the conversation. “First of all, I don’t even want to know what Jennifer will do if I lie to her, second I am not sure you doing once is going to cut it. If I read the conversation correctly you are going to need to do it at least a couple of times, and evenly just let her find you with wet pants.” “That sounds hard, why can I just do it once?” I asked as I turned left on Madison Street. “Training is not supposed to be easy buddy, you got to work at it,” Adam said next to me. “The burger places it just up ahead on the right,” he said pointing. I pulled into the Burger joint and put the Jeep in a parking spot. As I pulled the keys out of the ignition, I soon realized that I did not have my wallet, I think Jen still was holding onto it. “Adam, I don’t have my wallet,” I said starting to slightly panic, how could I have forgotten? “What? how could you have forgotten that” Adam said surprised. “I think Jen put it in my diaper bag, I think,” I said trying to retrace the last memory I had of it. After a few seconds, I heard Adam laughing. “Don't worry, your wife gave it to me. And you are going to need to earn that diaper bag,” Adam said still laughing as he hopped out of the car. Lunch was light, but I did manage to eat. Adam was right, the burger place was delicious, but their burgers were too big for me. I ended up eating barely half with a handful of fries. I tried to not eat too much because I knew Jen was still going to expect me to eat something for dinner. Our conversations did however turn off the topic of my reverse potty training and onto normal bantering about our work and cars. I also told him about Nichola’s Porsche, letting him know that he was planning to stop by eventually. It was nice to get out of the house and just relax, maybe Jen and Alice were right, I need to take more time to let loose and not bury myself in work. Lunch only lasted a quick thirty minutes before we were both done, but after my large cup of soda, I was quickly needing to go to the bathroom. Adam of course did not let me pay for lunch and as we started to slide out of our booth, I was practically doing the potty dance. “Adam, I need to go to the bathroom,” I said quietly so only he could hear me. “Come on, I think it's over this way,” Adam said gently guiding me to the restroom. Adam has never judged me for being a bedwetter, and always treated me as if it was just a normal thing. Even when he found out that Jen took over and started to diaper me, he never judged. Why would I think that he would ever judge me for working towards being diapered during the daytime? Adam held the door open for me and let me go to the bathroom by myself. Last couple of days, Jen was in the bathroom with me and made sure to keep me company, though I never got praised for using the potty like she did when I went in my diapers. This bathroom was a single-use bathroom but still had a little bit of space. As I stood there staring at the toilet, I remembered this past weekend, the last time I was in the bathroom alone, I made the wrong choice. As I stood there with my pants undone, ready to use the toilet, I just froze. It’s not that I couldn’t do it, I did not want to do it. I wanted to be Mommy’s little boy again. I want to make Mommy proud and make the right choice this time. Adam was right, I needed to man up, though it was more like baby up. I did my pants back up, turned, and walked out the door. I found Adam Standing guard, “I um, didn’t need to go,” I said calmly and as confidently as I could. “Are you sure, you did drink quite a bit?” Adam asked, but ultimately just shrugged it off. “How about we head back to the house and hang out while we wait for Jen to get back?” We both walked out of the burger joint, making our way back to the jeep. I am not sure if he could tell I was still needing to potty but I did here him ask, “You good to drive, buddy?” I shook my head yes, hopped up in the driver’s seat, and brought my Jeep back to life. Adam hopped in his seat and patted my shoulder. As we started our way back to the house, I started to think. I do want to be Mommy's baby, I really do. “Thank you, Adam, for taking me out for dinner,” I told him as I steadied my nerves. I did not get far from the restraint before my bladder just could not hold anymore, I was just happy I was able to make it to the jeep and on the road. When I took the next left, my bladder stole my attention making me hit a pothole in the road, the sudden bounce and jerk obliterated my last hold on the latch to the floodgates. I was able to regain my control of the Jeep, that was easy, but my bladder, that was a different story. I tried to pretend nothing happened, but it was useless. “Looks like someone needed to potty after all,” Adam said somehow encouragingly. It was such an odd feeling to get praised for wetting myself. As I heard Adam’s voice, I knew that I was ok and I did not make the wrong choice, however, I still felt compelled to apologize. I took a shallow breath and started to say, “I’m sorry, I could not hold it any longer.” “Nothing to be sorry for, accidents happen. However, I did not see you taking my advice so seriously and quickly,” I heard Adam say from my passenger seat. “I am glad that your jeep seats are vinyl. Are you sure you are, ok? You look a little dazed, you still going potty?” “Ya, I am done. I am just worried why Mommy was acting so weird, I know I am an adult, but I miss her babying me,” I admitted. “I still can’t believe I did that.” The drive back to the house was just as comforting, with the jeep doors and top-off, the wind kind of aired my wet shorts out. “I knew you had it in you,” Adam said proudly. “And don’t look too deeply into why Jennifer was treating you that way. To be honest, when you never even attempted to pee your pants, she thought you did not want the same thing she wanted. She was trying to respect your choice to want to use the potty.” Before long we pulled into my neighborhood, turning right and left to find the street my house was on. “Yeah, I get that, but I still like her coddling me,” I responded. “Did you tell her that?” Adam asked. I looked guilty; I did not tell her how I felt. Jen did and let me have my freedom to let me do things at my own and my own pace. I just took it and ran. The drive back to the house was a lot livelier, this time I communicated, still wet my pants, and got nothing but praise and smiles. I pulled up to the house and parked behind Adam's car on the street. “When I get some dry clothes, you mind helping pull the car out and put the jeep in the garage,” I asked turning the jeep off. “Sure,” I hear Adam say as we both hopped out and made our way to the house. After I unlocked the door, we both went in and took our shoes off. Once I had my shoes off, I froze in my tracks, am I supposed to clean myself up by myself? “Um, Adam,” I said with a shaky voice. “I don’t know where Mommy keeps my underpants.” Adam just smiled and winked at me, placed his warm hand on my back, and led me upstairs. Out of all the time he and I have been friends, he has never once diapered me or done anything of the sort. He has seen me and made sure I wore protection when I slept at his house, but he just let me be comfortable in my skin with no judgment. But at that moment he winked at me made me realize that Jen truly asked him to help be my secondary caregiver and he said yes. Adam directed me to Jen and I’s room and stopped me at the entrance of our private bathroom. A lot of things went on in my head up to this point, but as I stood there in front of the bathroom, I could only think that if Jen was Mommy, Alic was Aunty, Jessica was my sitter, Isabella was Grammy, and Nichola was just Nichola. What is Adam? I stood there like a helpless faun as Adam cared for me and helped me out of my wet clothes as I was lost in my thoughts. My brain almost lagged for a moment before reacting and trying to cover myself as I started to hear Adam’s deep voice. “How about a quick shower to clean off and by the time you get out you will have some clean clothes to wear,” Adam said, nearly reminding me of Jen and how she cares for me. I tried to not take long to clean but I kept getting lost in thoughts. When I was finally done, I found a towel within reach and clothes on the bed. I put my clothes on, not drying my hair, and made my way downstairs. When I rounded the bottom of the steps and headed to the kitchen, Adam and I locked eyes, he instantly put his phone down and waved me over. “Thanks for the clothes,” I said, not knowing what to say. “Well, I found your Mommy’s stash of stickers, how about you put a gold star on your chart,” Adam said proudly like a proud parent. That’s right I wet myself when he and I were out, this is my first gold star. “You going to let me put it on? Mommy has been putting all my stickers on herself,” I said excitedly. I quickly realized that I was getting way too excited and tried to hold my emotions in, I may want to be Mommy’s baby, but I still wanted to be cool when I was with Adam. Not sure how logical that thought was when I peed my pants in front of him but still. Adam handed me the small sheet of stickers containing four rows of gold stars, “Go on buddy, put a gold star on there for Mommy to see later,” Adam encouraged me. I did my best to put a star on my potty chart as cool as any toddler could, I still could not smile as I finally got a star. “Good job,” Adam said as I handed him the sheet of stars back. I watched Adam disappear into the office for a moment, probably putting the stars up. For a little while I felt like I did when Mommy was babying me, with nothing but love, praise, and comfort. If wetting my pants gets this and makes me feel this good, I think I can do my best to move forward. *** Since I left Charlie in the care of Adam, I took the time to stop in the office, there were a few things that needed to be done that could not be done at the house. However, I got a text from Adam sometime later saying that Charlie ate half of his burger and some fries, but that was about it. It made me happy that Charlie was being good for Adam, but somehow, he always has been. I did not want to go back home yet, I wanted to let Adam have some alone time with Charlie. When I eventually left work, I ended up at Jessica’s house, only a few blocks away from Charlie and I’s house. I honestly wanted to catch up with my friend, I was so glad that she finally moved back. Our conversations started normally, we traded work stories, talked about the different places that we have traveled, and then of course we talked about guys. The last conversation led to dumping the stress of the last few days with trying to reverse his potty training. “Jennifer, quit second-guessing yourself. You are doing the right thing, Charlie will come around,” my friend Jessica said trying to reassure me. “I know, it's just hard to keep myself from telling him no. I don’t want him to use the potty, I want my baby to be diapered, safe, and comforted; I want to make sure he is taken care of,” I said with a hint of sadness in my voice. “I wonder what he and Adam are up to, it’s been a few hours. Do you think Charlie ate lunch?” I did not know what was coming over me, ever since I let Charlie wear big boy undies it's like he did not want me to baby him anymore. That thought alone made my heart sink into my stomach, but I still wanted to be a good partner and slowly just started to treat him like he was just an adult. I felt Jessica’s hand on my knee, which made me turn my focus back to our conversation. “Jennifer he is fine, Adam will make sure your little boy is all taken care of,” Jessica said confidently, trying to bring a smile to my face. “Didn’t you say that Adam was offended that you did not ask him first, that right there shows that he cares for the little guy,” Jessica was halfway right, “He was not offended, just off put when I told him I hesitated to ask him. He reassured me though that Charlie will need someone to be able to lean on outside of Mommy and what better person than his best friend?” I said as I recalled the memory of Adams and I’s past conversation. I was hoping by asking Adam to take some time to talk to Charlie he could see what he was thinking, plus I know I have kept Charlie cooped up as of late, trying to give him the comfort of home to take the first step and try and pee his pants. I did try and just relax and let the boys do their thing. “Either way, the few times I met him in college he seemed to be good for Charlie,” Jessica agreed before smiling and shaking her head giggling. “I still cannot get over the fact that Adam wanted to help care for the little shortcake. You did tell him that means changing diapers, right?” Her comment only made me smile, “Jessica, he was for it all. I can not explain the bond that those two have, to be honest, if I had not called by the end of the week, I am sure I would have gotten a phone call asking how he was.” The thought of Adam getting worried about Charlie only made me smile more. “Call you, why?” Jessica asked, trying to understand my last comment. “Why wouldn’t he just call Charlie? “Told Adam that I was going to be taking Charlie’s phone away from him so he would not be tempted to try and work remotely,” I explained simply. With the thought of calling, I pulled out my phone and saw what time it was. “Well, I probably should be getting home,” I said standing up. “Well don’t be a stranger, and next time you need a break please let me watch the little guy,” Jessica standing up herself. We both hugged and I slipped my flats on before walking out the door. As I hopped in the SUV, I looked back at the car seat that was still strapped in. I am not sure that Charlie would ever come around to that, though I did tell him he did not have to sit in it anymore if he did not want to. I turned the engine on and backed out of the driveway. It only took a few minutes to get to the house and pull in next to Charlie's Blue sports car. “I guess Charlie put the Jeep back in the garage,” I said to myself, wondering if they took the Jeep or the blue car to go get food. After hopping out of the SUV and walking to the door, I hesitated to open the door, trying to think positive thoughts. Outside of that one text, Adam has not messaged anything about Charlie. I shook my head, trying to clear my head. Why was I so worried about Charlie, he may be my little, but he is still capable of taking care of himself. . . kind of. I almost feel about as smothering as my mother. With a clear head, I walked inside with a smile on my face, expecting to see the boys hanging out or something. But the house was empty. I slipped my shoes off, set my purse by the door, and carefully started to walk to the kitchen to get to the back of the house. As I stood at the back door, I could see Adam and Charlie sitting outside just chatting away. Adam spotted me first and nodded his head in hello, making Charlie turn to see who he was nodding to. “Well, hello there, you boys having fun?” I asked as I opened the back door, making my way over to where they were. “You just in time, we were about to send a search and rescue team out to see if you got lost doing your errands,” Adam said jokingly. I watched Charlie jump up and run to me and practically tackle me in a hug. “I missed you, Mommy,” Charlie said as he held on tight to my waist. I hugged him back, holding back a small tear of joy. What could have gotten into him to cause this, normally he does not run to hug me after a few hours. Once Charlie finally let go and stepped back, I noticed he was not wearing the same shorts and shirt he was wearing when I left. “Charlie,” I said, easily capturing my little one’s attention. “What happened to the clothes you were wearing when I left?” I asked inquisitively. Charlie's mood instantly changed, and I could see his cheeks getting red. I watched as Charlie folded his hands together and looked back at Adam, almost for courage. “Charlie?” I said, trying to get him to look back at me. “I um, did not make it to the bathroom,” I heard Charlie say before diverting his eyes. “We were out eating burgers and he got a little distracted, he almost made it but just not fast enough,” Adam said, trying to help Charlie explain what happened. I took a moment and stared into Adam's Deep blue eyes, trying to see what he did to get Charlie to get him to finally move in the right direction. All I could do was a faint smile and him glancing at Charlie, making me look at him myself. I bent down to get to his level, and I pulled him in for another hug, “Oh, honey, don't be upset, accidents happen to everyone,” I told him sweetly. I released him from my hug and looked at him, “I am so proud of you, I know this must have been hard for you. Just know that no matter what I will always be here for you and help.” I could not help but start to inspect Charlie, “Did Adam help you get cleaned up,” I asked as I smoothed a wrinkle from his shirt. Charlie went to hold my hand and pulled me over to the lawn chairs where Adam was still sitting. “I am fine, I kind of froze and forgot to ask for help but Adam was there and made sure that I was good to go,” Charlie said sounding more confident than embarrassed. “Adam even let me put a gold star on my chart.” “Did he now?” I said acting surprised. I am not sure what Adam did, but I am finally seeing my little boy again. I could tell he was still a bit embarrassed about saying he wet his pants, but I think the more he realizes it's not that big of a deal the more he will relax. I am almost positive that my Charlie will be having a lot more ‘accidents’ from henceforth. “Well, I best get going,” Adam started to say, turning my attention back to him. “Were you able to get everything you needed done?” I only smiled and said, “Yes, thank you for watching Charlie for me.” I watch Adam get up and stretch. “No problem, my pleasure,” I heard Adam say as he waved his goodbyes and walked around the house. Charlie and I watched him as he disappeared from our view, waiting to hear his car start up and take off. Eventually, I turned to Charlie and just smiled, I was so proud of him. “Are you hungry?” I asked, already know his question. I could only laugh as I watched his happy smile quickly turn to a look of disgust. “No, not really,” Charlie told me truthfully, “When we do eat, can I just have a small plate, the burger was really big.” “Well, how about we just go watch a movie and we can just have a little bit of a late dinner, nothing special,” I said, knowing that would earn me a smile. I stood up and held my hand out for Charlie to take. We went back inside and about halfway to the living room I noticed that Charlie was fidgeting and was almost bouncing. “Honey, you ok,” I asked. Charlie waited for a second before looking up and saying, “Ya, I am fine.” “Honey, when was the last time you went potty?” I asked realizing that he was not fine and practically doing the potty dance. “At the restraint,” Charlie said as he slowly stood up straight again. “I did not have to go potty earlier till I got up and started moving.” Charlie just looked up at me longingly, his cheeks slowly turning a faint shade of red. “Charlie, let's try and go potty really quick, it’s not good for you to hold it like that,” I told him to lead him over to the downstairs potty. I opened the door and ushered my little boy in before going in myself to make sure he was ok. Charlie to a step to the toilet and just stood there staring at it. “Honey, do you want help?” I asked concerned, he was not moving to use the toilet or trying to wet himself. I took Charlie’s silence as a cry for help, so I bent down and helped him pull his shorts down and scooted him closer to the toilet. “Charlie, I promise you it will be ok, just go potty sweetie,” I told him, trying to get him to relax. Out of nowhere, Charlie turned to me, nearly tripping with his pants partially down and falling into my arms. Charlie then started to cry profusely, “I dOn’T wAnT tHe PoTtY MoMmY!” I heard him say threw his tears. I held him tight, trying to soothe him, “Shh, it's ok honey,” I said, rubbing his back. Suddenly Charlie’s tears were not the only thing that was getting me wet. I think that Charlie realized what he was doing at the same time I did because his tears only got worse. The only thing I could do was just hold him tight and soothe him as he finished wetting himself, “It's ok, baby, it's ok. Just let it out.” Once I felt him finished peeing, I gently pulled him back, trying to wipe the tears from his eyes. “Are you ok, baby?” I watched as Charlie started to calm down and catch his breath. “I'm sorry Mommy, I did not mean to,” Charlie said sorrowfully as I watched him look down at me and see that he was not the only one wet from his accident. I could tell that he was barely holding his emotions, I just pulled him into another hug, letting him know that he did not do anything wrong. “Baby you don’t need to apologize, you did nothing wrong. Maybe big boy underwear was a bad idea,” I said soothingly, letting him know that he was not going to need to worry about the big bad potty anymore. “Hey baby, how about a nice bubble bath to soothe those tears.”

I have always like reading your work, I have finally taken the time to read this one and can not wait to read more.

To be honest, when I originally imagined Isabella as a character I did not mean for her to turn out the way she did. The more I wrote the more she just evolved into this overbearing grandmother-like person. And I assure you she is not from the diaper dimension, but I can see the similarities. Isabella definitely plays hardball.

Chapter Fourteen No, this was not going to happen, there was no way I was getting into that thing. I quickly started to get in the passenger seat, but I felt Jen’s hands pulling me back. “Mommy, please, I don’t need a car seat,” I tried to plead, grabbing onto the front door of the passenger side of the SUV. “Charlie please, it's just till we get home, I promise it’s not a permanent thing,” I heard Jen say in a pleading voice. I glanced back confused, “Why? I am a grown adult, and what made you give in to her?” I asked, referring to Jen’s mother. “Baby, I know you’re an adult. Just let go of the door and we can talk about it on the way home,” Jen said softly, still with a firm grip on me. The only thing that made me let go was that I heard Isabella’s voice getting closer, and all I wanted to do was go home right now. “Jennifer, do you need help putting him in?” I heard Isabella say before glancing in her direction, seeing that she was halfway from the front door to the SUV. Jen wasted no time in shutting the front door and adjusting her hold on me so that she could place me in the car seat. I heard the back door open as I watched Isabella come up behind Jen, “I want to go home Mommy,” I whispered in Jen’s ear right before I felt myself getting placed in my new seat. “Don’t worry, honey, we are,” Jen reassured me gently. “Jennifer, make sure you adjust his straps right, you don’t want them loose or anything,” Isabella started to say, trying to instruct Jen. Without looking back at her Jen just continued to buckle me in, “Mother, please, I know how a car seat works. Just give Charlie some space before he gets any fussier,” Jen said firmly, trying to get Isabella to back off. From my limited view, largely because Jen was still over me pulling and adjusting the straps to fit me correctly, I did see Isabella step back but still went on to give her professional advice. “Did he not get a nap today? Where is his diaper bag, did you bring a binky?” Isabella nagged on. Jen and I locked eyes for a second once we heard Isabella say that last part, I guess she knew that I was about to open my mouth again and start inserting my foot. “Shh, be my good boy,” she said firmly yet gently. I could see the irritation in her eyes, I was just hoping it was not me causing it. With the click of the buckle, I was finally in and properly adjusted safely trapped and snug. Jen kissed my forehead before praising me, “That’s my good boy,” and then shut my door. I watched Jen walk around to the driver's seat, grabbing her purse and my diaper bag that was sitting on the hood of the SUV most likely put there before she came to wrangle me in my new seat. Jen quickly buckled up, started the engine, and put the transmission in reverse. Jen glanced back at me before shifting back into drive, I hope she could tell I was not a happy camper. “Please may I get out and sit upfront,” I said as politely as I could to hide my irritation and not want to be where I was. After not hearing a response right away I tried to sweeten the request with a loving, “Mommy!” *** “Charlie, I know you are not happy with me, but let’s just get home and then I will get you out of your seat,” I tried to tell Charlie. To be honest he was not the only one that was upset at the situation. I adjusted my rearview mirror so I could see Charlie, the poor thing had his grumpy face on, arms crossed, and staring out the window. “You that conversation that my mom and I had before Alice pulled you away?” I asked, trying to start my explanation of his current predicament. “Yeah,” I heard him say in a monotone voice. I took a breath and calmly said, “That conversation did not go as well as I would of hoped.” After a glance, I saw that I had Charlie’s full attention, his eye searching for answers within my words. “What first started as you can’t tell me what to do, what Charlie and I have is between us and of no concern to you,” I started to say, nervous to say the rest. “Yeah, I agree so far, she cannot tell us what to do,” Charlie said with a bit more confidence in his voice. “Well, more or less my mother said that if I did not take care of her little Charlie then she was going to take matters into her own hands and protect her investment,” I said evenly, knowing it was going to provoke Charlie even more than what he already is. A few minutes passed and I still did not hear a word from Charlie. “Baby?” I said worriedly, trying to get him to talk to me. “I am NOT a BABY; I am an ADULT. How DARE that monster threaten my career, MY business,” I heard him say in rage. I wanted to say something but before I got a word out Charlie continued, “I thought that this. . .Mommy/little thing was just for us, I don’t understand why your mother is inserting herself into our personal lives.” I glanced back and saw Charlie struggling against his seat harness, trying to unbuckle himself. “Charlie, baby. . .” I tried to say before Charlie cut me off. “I’m not. . .” Charlie said with a grunt, “A . . . Baby!” Worried he was going to actually get out, I looked back and seen he was already halfway out of his seat. “Charlie Conor Finlay, you undo that last buckle and so help me I will pull this car over,” I said, letting my temper get the best of me. I took a breath to calm myself down and make sure I was still driving safely. I heard one click and I quickly looked back, about to scold Charlie again, but I saw him with his arms back in his harness and his chest buckle re-secured. Charlie’s expression was painted not only on his face but his whole body. I could see the rage and anger boiling out, but there was also sadness and a lot of frustration. “I got to go to the bathroom,” I heard Charlie say, trying to keep his voice calm to hide his emotions. “Charlie, I know your upset. . .” I started to say. “No Jinnifer, I am pissed. Both literally and emotionally. I am twenty-five years old, wearing a onesie and diaper under my clothes, strapped in a car seat like a toddler, and being told to behave like I am some fussy brat,” Charlie said with as much frustration as anger. “That is two strikes right there Charlie, please don’t earn your third. I know you are upset and angry, but that does not mean you have to cuss and start breaking the rules. I am aware of your age, but you are still MY precious little boy, I will do everything in my power to make sure nothing happens to you or what's yours,” I said calmly, trying to calm him down. “I’m sorry Mommy, I did not mean to yell,” I barely heard him say. Looking back, I seen him looking down with his hand folded in his lap and a tear in his eyes. “I forgive you,” I said softly. “And if you got to potty just go in your diaper, it's not good to hold it for a long time, like I’m sure you have been.” After hearing a small sniffle, I heard Charlie say, “Does your mom really see me as some helpless little boy?” “In a nutshell, yes,” I said, trying to explain my mother's motives. “My mom maybe a lawyer, but she is very versed in the BDSM scene, she finds a lot of clients that will pay big money to keep a lot of stuff hush-hush. Knowing that, when she got wind that you and I were getting into a Mommy Dom/little boy relationship she wanted in and started to take it a little too seriously. She knows I will never have kids of my own and she desperately wants to be a grandmother.” “That makes sense… I think. But why me? Why not just bug Alice to settle down,” I heard Charlie say. “Well, you came in the picture first, but as far as Alice, you and I both know that she is far from interested in having kids. She is to wrapped up in her career. The only reason Alice wants to help with you is because she likes you and you are her business partner. She came and got you while I was arguing with Mom on her own accord,” I responded, as I pulled into our neighborhood. “Finally, almost home,” I heard Charlie say desperately, as if the car seat was torturing him. A few moments later he had another worrisome question. “And what of your Father, would he do something to my company if I don’t play ‘baby’?” “Daddy loves you and sees you for who you are, a man trying to live his best life with his wife and in pursuit of his dreams. He will keep Mom in check but, just like you, has his own company to run and will not always be there,” I told Charlie as I pulled into our driveway. I put the transmission in park, shut the engine off, and undue my seatbelt. The overhead light came on and I opened my door, but before I got out, I looked over at Charlie, trying to sit still and wait to be let out. “Mom does care, she just wants to make sure I am being a good Mommy,” I tell him with a smile before getting out. When I got Charlie's door open, he practically was vibrating, itching to just get out of his little seat, too bad he did not like it because he did look adorable in it. “Are you done being fussy?” I asked him in a serious tone. Charlie froze for a moment and his eyes got big. “Yes Mommy, I will be good, please can I get out,” he said apologetically. I could tell that what happened tonight was still in his head. I gave him a big smile, undid his harness, and watched him sit there for a moment, almost in disbelief. “You need help baby?” I asked, holding my hand out for him to grab. After getting Charlie out, I got his diaper bag and my purse out of the front seat and then locked the SUV. I see Charlie was only halfway to the door, waiting for me to catch up, “I’m coming honey.” I open the door, allowing Charlie to get in first. “Let's get some Pajamas on, ok sweetie,” I tell Charlie as we slip our shoes off. I put my hand on Charlie’s back gently pushing him to go up the stairs first. “No-no baby, nursery, I need to change your diaper, plus, I have your jammies in there,” I say, correcting the direction he was walking when he got to the top of the stairs. I softly shut the baby gate behind me as I follow Charlie into the nursery, flipping the lights on. Charlie started to unbutton his shirt still with a long face, “Let me help you, honey,” I said bending down and helping him with his trousers while he worked on his shirt. After I got his pants and shirt off, leaving him only in his diaper and onesie, he started to turn to the changing table. “Hold on,” I instructed softly, grabbing him before he ran off so I could take the onesie off as well. With a swift tug up, his onesie slips over his head and tossed into the hamper with the rest of the clothes. I lifted Charlie up and laid him on the changing table, for only seeing this room just recently, he seemed not as phased as I thought he would. I just stood there admiring my little Charlie, no one else’s, his hands were resting on his tummy while he was looking at all the glowing stars on the ceiling. I knew that today was going to be hard, but I did not realize how much of a toll it was going to have on Charlie. After a moment he caught me staring, I could only smile at how cute he was. I caressed his face to try and soothe his pent-up emotions before I turned my attention to the task at hand and started to undo his diaper, “Baby, you filled this sucker up, you were not this wet when we left,” I said surprised. “I told you that I had to potty, Mommy,” Charlie said flatly in reply to my statement. “Yes, you did, and looks like my baby did a good job using his diapers,” I praised smiling down at him, trying to get him to smile again. “Maybe we didn’t need to get those pull-ups after all,” I said teasingly. “But mommy, you said I could…” he started to say, worried I was going back on our decision. “Clam down, baby, I am just teasing,” I reassured him, “However, I think I left them in the back seat of the SUV.” I made quick work on the diaper change, making sure to get him clean and feeling fresh with a light sprinkle of baby powder. After the new diaper is taped up, I give it a little play full pat, “All done, baby, you are once again all clean and dry.” I went over to his chest of drawers to pull out a particular pajama set, leaving him to hop down himself. After a little bit of rummaging, I finally found the jammies I was looking for. “Come here, sweetie,” I said getting the shirt opened so I could slip it over his head. “I can do it, Mommy, Please,” he said with a furrowed brow. Looking down at him I could only smile, “Ok, you get your jammies on while I go get mine on,” I said as I handed him his clothes. I left him in his nursery alone while I made my way to our bedroom. He did look adorable standing there in just his diaper, his nursery suited him well. “Let's see how long he stays in there before he comes searching for me,” I whisper to myself, taking my dress off. As I was pulling out my pajamas for the night, I got an idea to help give him confidence in not only his diapers but also the decision of being little, on his terms. I quickly put on a soft tank top and a pair of shorts. Just as I had pulled my shorts up, I heard Charlie holler from the top of the stairs. “Mommy why is it locked,” Charlie said, sounding confused and frustrated. “Oh, I am sorry honey, I closed it when I came up behind you,” I told him as I moved to the bathroom. “Go explore your nursery baby, I put some things in there for you to play with. I will be done in a minute; I am just taking my make-up off.” I look in the mirror, staring at the reflection as I try and listen to Charlie’s footsteps and see if he listens. After a moment of listening, I was confident that he did as he was told and went to go play in his nursery, so I started my nightly routine. I cleaned and cleansed my face, put my hair in a loose braid for bed, and used the bathroom myself before sneaking out of the room and tiptoe to the nursery, and just peeking inside to try and figure out what Charlie was doing. I don’t know why I felt so proud of Charlie, seeing him dressed in his cute white and blue short sleave pajama shirt and matching shorts, I picked them out because they had an airplane on the chest of the shirt and lots of planes on his little shorts. Charlie was over in the corner, digging through the toy box believe it or not, currently inspecting a stuffed squid plushie I randomly found at the store one day. A smile swept across my face, I knew what would help melt his stress from the day away. I silently made my way over to the stairs, ever so carefully, opened it without a noise, and sneaked down the stairs. I quickly made my way to the kitchen and pulled out his bottle to fill it up with a little drink for Charlie. I did my best to warm some milk and honey before putting it into Charlie's bottle, but before I could head back up, I went back into the office to grab Charlie's bunny, Lady Frankie. I have no idea why he chose an absurdly long name for his bunny, but it did bring a smile to my heart to finally see him enjoy it. With light feet, I sneak back up the stairs to go surprise my baby. Peek around the nursery door frame, looking for Charlie, I spot him in the cushy rocking chair, curled up in a ball holding the darn squid plushie, at least he does not look distressed anymore. I try not to startle him as I lightly walk closer, yup, the little guy is out cold. Guess he was more tired than I thought. But why the rocking chair, I know he could have got in the crib by himself, it was a lot more comfortable than sleeping in a chair. Oh well, I guess that would just be wishful thinking, I guess. “Charlie, honey,” I say as I lightly touch him. “I not sleeping Mommy,” Charlie said groggily with his eyes very much closed. “You want to go night-night, or you want a treat,” I ask him softly, still unsure if he is awake as he says he is. I almost thought that he was asleep again, but I soon heard a very soft, “Can I have a cookie.” Of course, the boy wants cookies this late at night. Now let’s see if he will get up to go get one. “Baby, you want me to hold you, or you want to get up and walk?” I asked my curled-up baby husband. I set his bottle and bunny on the floor next to the rocking chair and moved to pick up Charlie, who despite our small conversation still had not moved an inch. I put my arms under him so I could just keep him curled up and cradled. Once he was up, I slowly spun around and sat down in the same rocker I found him in, setting him in my lap. “Mommy, cookies please” I heard him whisper as he leaned into me. “Shh, baby,” I say, trying to keep him calm, “Let me get it really quick.” I bend down carefully and reach for the bottle, once I feel it in my hand, I pick it up, lean back in the rocking chair, and change the grip I have on the bottle. “Baby, I got your cookie, open up,” I tell him softly, trying to get him to open his mouth. It amazes me how well he sleeps when he is sleeping, only if I can get his sleep duration to last longer than it does. After growing impatient, I rub the nipple of the bottle on his lips, “Open up baby.” That must have done the trick, Charlie’s eyes open slightly, and his expression goes from a blank sleepy look to a confused one as he clutched his stuffed squid in comfort. “Mommy?” Charlie asked confused. I could only giggle, “Baby, I think you fell asleep waiting for me.” Charlie did start to wiggle and get up but there was no need for that now, “Shh, be still sweetie, you're tired,” I said trying to calm him down. “I don’t want to sleep in here,” Charlie said pouting. “Shh, here drink this,” I said as I eased the bottle in his mouth. “You sure you don’t want to sleep in the crib?” I asked, curious to see his reaction. Charlie's eyes opened and started to squirm. “Settle down, I was only teasing, I am sorry,” I tell him adjusting the bottle as he calms down. We sat there for a long while, he drank the bottle slowly as he stared off into space. He finally actually fell asleep leaving a quarter of the milk un-drank. I let about fifteen minutes pass, just rocking there letting him sleep in my lap. Despite what happened this afternoon, and his tantrum on the ride home, today I would call it a win. His nursery has successfully helped him put the day's stress behind him as he found comfort in his little space, unfortunately, I don’t think he would admit it. For as much as Charlie says he does not have a little side, he sure has fallen hard for this lifestyle, at least subconsciously. It’s hard to watch him try so hard to be big and bad. However, I will need to make sure my mother minds her manners and knows what my business and not hers. She keeps going the way she did tonight, I will not be able to get Charlie to go to dinner on Sunday, no matter how much I push. Eventually, I was able to put my sleeping Charlie in our bed and tuck him in with his bunny, squid, and a binky between his lips. I only left him there alone for a little bit to get the house straight and ready for a new day of reverse potty training. and everything off, shut, and locked before making my way to bed myself. Even if I was able to get Charlie in the crib, I don’t think I could sleep without him. I closed my eyes, pulled Charlie close, and drifted off. The stress of the day weighed on me as I did not sleep that well, however, my night did start with pleasant dreams until I noticed Charlie squirming early in the morning as he always does. I tried to snuggle him more but like always my baby wanted up. With Charlie no longer in my arms reach, I was left sleeping alone with my dreams slowly drifting from happiness and light to filled sorrow and darkness. After a while, I was ejected from my sleep with fright, sweating from my dream-turned-nightmare. I quickly looked around; Charlie was nowhere in sight, though I was sure he was just downstairs as he normally is. He did seem to leave the squid in the bed but his bunny, Lady Frankie, was nowhere in sight. Did he take Lady Frankie with him? And what did he do with his binky? After a quick trip to the bathroom to relieve myself and wash the sweat off my face, I started for the door of the bedroom to go in search of my little Charlie. Once I stepped foot in the hallway, I noticed that the baby gate door was open, and Charlie was most likely downstairs. I peeked inside the nursery just out of curiosity to see if he even tried to go play. . . nope, it was still as it was before bed. I started to walk downstairs with the nightmare still weighing on me, I needed to see Charlie. I need to see if he is alright and make sure he is not still upset. Once I walked through the living room to the kitchen, I could see my Charlie sitting on the island drinking coffee, he even had Lady Frankie propped up next to him. My heart melted at the sight; Charlie finally had his normal smile on his face. To be honest it looked like he was just chilling and having a conversation with Lady Frankie. Hopefully, Adam does not get jealous of Charlie’s new friend. I simply just walked over and hugged him from behind, instantly the weight of the nightmare was gone. “Good morning my little prince,” I told him as my stress melted away. “You ok, Mommy? Did you have another nightmare?” I hear Charlie say with a hint of worry in his voice as he tries to reach back and hug me back. With a quick peck on his cheek, I move over to the other side of the island and pull a clean cup from the cabinet above. “I did, you fell asleep before we could really finish talking last night,” I asked in response as I poured the leftover coffee into my mug. As I went to turn back around to look at Charlie, I found him wearing a sympathetic look on his face. “I mean I am still upset at . . . Grammy” he started to say, hesitating at my mother’s new title. “I am not going to let her sabotage Alice and I’s work.” Charlie must have noticed my odd look as he was talking, trying to figure out how he got a mug from the cabinet when I knew he had not found his stool yet. He quickly pointed to the chairs at the table and said, “I used the chair, I swear I did not climb on the counter.” I just smiled and shook my head, “Of course you didn’t, my sweat little boy. But I will be talking to my mother, she and I are not done talking about you, I promise to make sure she stays in line and knows her place.” “Don’t worry about it, Mommy” I hear Charlie say confidently as I take a drink of my coffee. “I may be upset but I am calm and ready to face this new challenge together.” The confidence he had made me realize the idea that I had for him, “No need baby, you let Mommy take care of mean old Grammy” With a small pause to shift subjects I continued to happily tell Charlie of his new training, “I want you to just be happy and focus on your reverse potty training.” I took another sip of coffee, keeping my excited emotions hidden so I could watch Charlie think about what I just told him. “What is reverse potty training?” Charlie asked confused. I smiled and excitedly elaborated, “Well I have been thinking about how we are going to incorporate your pull-ups, I am going to start fresh and reverse the normal potty-training toddlers go through and reverse it. The first part is going to be hard and will only be done at home, but I think it will help set the mood and feeling you have with your diapers.” I watched Charlie's gears start turning in his head, “Like completely start over? No more diapers?” “Other than for bedtime for obvious reasons, yes,” I said with a smile. “Wait here for a moment,” I instructed before setting my coffee down and heading to the home office. As I stepped in I grabbed the reverse potty training chart I made from leftover poster board from a recent project Charlie did for work. This was going to be amazing; it was going to allow Charlie to go his speed and not be forced into this. I walked back over to the kitchen to present Charlie with his new road map to success, “I made this last night when you were sleeping, it’s a chart to track your progress.” Charlie still looked bewildered, “A reverse potty-training chart?” I nodded, confirming that he was indeed correct. “Yay, stickers,” he said with false joy. “Stickers to track your progress, yes, and quit judging so fast. I am trying to take it slow for your sake,” I said, trying keep his mind open to my idea. “Like I said, we are starting from the beginning, you are going to get a limited pair of undies and start from the top. The first step is going to be the hardest, I want you to first work on having day accidents.” As expected, Charlie’s eye went wide, “What? You want me to purposely pee my pants? How is that going to help?” I could see the worry in his eyes. “Take a breath and let me explain,” I said trying to calm him down. “You are going to be allowed to use the big boy potty. . . but with one simple rule, you need to get me to help you and take you.” I let that set on him a moment before continuing, “I want you to learn to relax and be ok at wetting yourself. The past couple of days you have been holding your bladder till it nearly explodes before you wet your diaper, you need to learn to relax and just let it flow. This first step will mostly be mental, once you are confident enough to pee your pants we will go to the next step, pull-ups.” I went to put Charlie new chart on side of the refrigerator where it is easily seen for the both of us. “Every time you ask me to use the potty I will take you, but you will earn a sad face on your chart. But when you have an accident in your pants you will get a gold star.” I watched Charlie hop down from the tall stool and study the chart. “So you are going to let me use the toilet?” “With permission yes,” I repeated and pointed to the chart. “This row you get sad faces when say you need to potty, the next row you get sad faces for using the potty.” “That doesn’t make sense, if I ask to use the potty, won't I use it too?” Charlie asked in confusion. With a gentle smile, I went to explain, “Toddlers don’t always make it to the potty when they go tell their mommy.” Charlie’s eyebrows furrowed, “So I get sad faces for simply saying I need to potty?” “Yes baby,” I said simply, “When you can pee your pants and not tell me we will graduate to pullups. During this stage you will get to continue practicing going and not saying anything. I don’t want you to worry about your pull-ups or diapers, I want you to let me worry about it. And don’t worry I will be checking you like any good mommy would, while you are in undies, I will check less often but pull-up will check more often and then eventually you will graduate to diapers.” I directed his attention to the last three steps, you get gold stars on the last three, these are what you want to fill up. You got wet when you were out, you did not use the potty all day, and you did not ask for the potty all day. The more gold stars you get the more you get to move to the next step.” “I don’t want to pee my pants, Mommy,” Charlie said with a sad face. “Then you don’t have to baby, you just tell me you got to go potty, and I will help you use the big scary potty, ok?” I told him sweetly. “I want this to be on your pace, however, I would like to have you in pull-ups before you go back to work.” Charlie still had a sad face, but I wanted this to be his decision. “Grab Lady Frankie, sweetie, I need to get my big boy back in his undies,” I said softly and led him upstairs. “No-no honey, not the nursery, that is for little boys. Go to our room, I will take your diaper off there and you can take a quick shower, ok? I will have your big boy undies ready for you when you are out ok?” I hope he knows this is going to be as hard for me as it is for him, we just need to get over the first hurdle.

Chapter Thirteen Jen’s parent’s house was not that far, about a twenty-minute drive from our house, but Jen added one very embarrassing pit stop at a store. “Are you sure you want to stay in the SUV?” Jen asked a second time to make sure I did not change my mind. “Yes, I do not need to pick out my pull-up, I will be grateful for whatever you pick,” I told her, fully embarrassed she would even think I would want to come in with her. However, my last comment seemed to put a peculiar smile on her face. “Really? I get to pick whatever designs I think are the cutest. Even the cute princess ones?” she asked in a way to excited voice. My eyes got big when I processed what she said, “What? I thought I was getting just regular adult pull-ups?” I said confused. Jen just busted up laughing, “Baby, you are small enough to fit plenty well in the youth pull-up, plus they are so much better than the adult ones. And they are cuter too,” she said trying to calm herself from her laughing fit. “But I promise to get the boy ones, I don’t need you giving me any more reasons not to wear them.” I still could see her giggling as she left me in the SUV to go into the store. Unfortunately, I still did not have my phone and she took her purse and phone in with her, so I was stuck just sitting and waiting. It only took a couple of songs on the radio before I saw Jen walking back with a bag in her hands. The pull-ups were covered by the bag they sat in when she deposited them in the back seat before hopping back in the driver’s seat. I tried to see what design she picked out before I turned to look at her when I heard her buckle up and put the SUV in gear. “Only one pack?” I asked. Jen pulled out of the parking lot and back on track to her parents’ house. “Don’t worry, if you need more, I will get you more,” she said in response to my question. “Your pull-ups are a little bit easier to get at the store than your diapers I like you in. Also, remember, your pull-ups are just a stepping stone to help in your diaper training,” she said, reminding me of our earlier conversation. “I remember Mommy,” I said with a sigh, turning my head to look at the road. “And I am I am to come to you when I need to use the potty.” I felt Jen rub my knee to try and comfort me. “Are you ok, Charlie,” Jen asked, stealing a glance at me before her eyes turned back to the road. “You seem a little unsettled, do you not want to wear the pull-ups?” she asked with a cautious voice. I waited a moment before responding, “Doe’s Mr. Calegari really know I wear diapers and pee the bed?” I said, answering her question with another question. “Oh, that is what this is about,” Jen said, realizing my nervousness. “To be blunt, yes, daddy knows about your bedwetting. He also knows you are adult enough to own up and take care of your issues,” Jen said, trying to stay honest with me. Her honesty was comforting but still, I was nervous to confront him again. I looked down and put my tiny hands on hers which was still resting on my knee, “He even knows about. . .” I said, starting to trail off in my thoughts. “Baby,” she started to gently say, bringing my attention back to her with a soft squeeze on my knee. “He knows everything, and he knows how much joy and happiness you bring me.” I just stared at Jen, taking in her beauty and confidence. “Don’t worry my little one, I will be with you, and if I get too distracted talking to my mother, you will also have Alice there too.” I took comfort in Jen, she was my rock, I am not sure I could do this without her. I don’t think I would do it without her, to be honest. Before I knew it, we were pulling up the long driveway to Calegari’s estate, it never failed to impress me every time I was here. Jen's parents did not live in the largest house on the street, but they did not live in the smallest. As the SUV came to a stop, I waited for Jen to kill the engine before undoing my seatbelt and hopping out. Jen was there waiting for me on the other side of the vehicle, waiting for me to grab her free hand. My diaper bag which I seemed to have forgotten was slung over Jen’s other shoulder with her purse, being held in place with her other hand. She just smiled at me before leading up to the front door, which magically opened at the same time we reached it, showing a very excited Mrs. Calegari holding the door. Mr. Calegari was there, calm, cool, and collected like he always was. “Isabella, you need to calm down, if he runs away, I will blame you,” I heard Nichola say. He was even taller than Jen and Alice, standing at a whopping six foot three inches and well-built for his age. He dressed in khakis and one of his golf shirts, with well-groomed salt and pepper hair. There was no question about where Jen got her height from. I watched Isabella take her eyes off me and give Nichola an evil glare before retorting, “You better be careful before you find yourself eating on the back patio by yourself!” Isabella was almost an older twin to my wife, outside of a few aging lines. I had also never seen one grey hair on Isabella’s head which added to your youthful look, though I am nearly positive it was her persistence that kept it that way. Isabella was closer to five foot ten inches with a slender frame, supporting a floral dress, cut like Jen’s but with no sleeves. I watched Nichola roll his eyes before muttering, “Only if that was true.” “Hush you,” Isabella said before turning back to Jen and me. “Now don’t you two look just darling, come on in and relax. Jennifer how was the drive?” she started to say before taking a breath to continue nagging Jen. “I saw Charlie get out of the front seat, why is he not sitting in the back? He is still too small for that, let alone your persistence in not putting him in the car seat I gave you.” Isabella did let us get through the door, shutting it behind us, but I could see the irritation in Jen’s eyes when she heard what her mother was saying. As far as me, Isabella commented here or there in the past about me being too small for the front seat, but I did not know she went as far as getting me a car seat, that was new to me. As I was about to look to see where Nichola was going I felt Jen firmly pull me behind her. “Mother please, I told you do not smother him,” Jen said firmly to Isabella. From my view behind Jen, I saw Isabella look appalled to hear her daughter talk to her that way, “You have me hold my tongue all these years and now that you finally pull the veil I still can not talk about little Charlie as your baby boy?” “Yes, the veil is lifted, and he knows that you are aware that he is my little and I am his Mommy. . .” I heard Jen start to say quickly in an even tone before getting interrupted. “Which makes me Grammy, and I want to smother my little Charlie,” Isabella said, cutting Jen off. Suddenly I felt myself being pulled away from Jen. With a quick startled glance in my captor's direction, I noticed it was Alice pulling me away from the two arguing titans. I glanced back at Jen quickly before Alice caught my attention again. “You don’t want to say there, squirt, I promise you that. That conversation was years in the making,” Alice said with the same level of annoyance as I had seen in Nichola, leading me to another room. “Conversation? Sounds more like a fight if you ask me.” I said looking back over my shoulder, losing sight of Jen. Once I looked forward again, I started to realize that Alice was taking Nichola’s large study. I kept a hold of Alice’s hand out of habit that Jen instilled in me, but it let me look around the massive room without watching where I was walking. This room had books lining the walls with beautiful French doors capable of closing off the back more formal office portion from the more relaxed lounging part that you first walk into. The room was currently fully open, showcasing the expensive matching furniture, warming the air with its deep earthy colors. I felt Alice stop before noticing that this was also the same room Nickola escaped to. I quickly pulled my hand from Alice’s, causing her to giggle as she sat down in one of the three cushy chairs that sat in a half circle in front of Nichola’s large oak desk. Nickola was walking over to the corner where he kept his scotch. “I rescued Squirt here from the two raptors there in your front room,” I heard Alice say to her father. I glanced at Alice before turning my attention back to Nichola, watching him pour the amber liquid into three glasses. “Well good, you just may have saved Charlie here from needing an early diaper change,” I heard Nichola say in response before grabbing all three glasses of scotch and walking over to where Alice sat, and I stood. His comment threw me off a bit, but it confirmed that he knew all about my little secret. “I doubt it is that bad, though it did seem pretty intense,” I said, joining in on the conversation. Jen had always reassured me that Nichola liked me, but I still liked to keep a healthy level of respect for him, especially since I knew my career was literally in his hands due to his funding half of my company's start-up cost. Nichola handed me the first glass before turning to his daughter and giving her a glass. “You don’t understand the gravity of the situation and the intensity of our wives,” he said before sitting down next to Alice in one of the cushy chairs. I sat down in the last of the three cushy chairs, on the other side of Alice, before holding up the glass of scotch and saying, “Thanks Mr. Calegari,” Nichola was quick to respond to me in a firm tone, “Mr. Finlay, how many times do I have to tell you, please call me by my first name outside of work.” I held an even face and said, “Sorry, Nichola, I did not mean to let it slip.” Both of us knew it was no slip, but me just trying to be respectful, he had been trying to get me to loosen up for years. He has resorted to calling me Mr. Finlay, what I consider my father's name, to match my stubbornness. After a small sip of his drink, Nichola went on to say, “So, Alice here tells me you are finally taking some time off for yourself.” I assumed that Nichola was not interested in the details of the past few days and was just trying to make small talk. He also always took an interest in my career, and with Alice being my business partner it was only natural for him to know that I was getting forced to take time off. “Yeah, Jen and Alice finally convinced me to take some time off, though I am still not sure what to do. Jen is working from home more but still working while I am off, I doubt I will be going anywhere,” I said with a smile and a little bit of a chuckle. “Hah,” Alice said laughing, making Nichola and Me look at her. “There was no convincing about it, Jen scolded you on taking care of yourself and how you should take time for yourself outside of work,” she said to me before sipping on her drink and turning to her father. “I even had to take his keys and practically kick him out. He was originally going to start vacation on Thursday but said he needed to come in on Friday and tidy things up.” “Well, I can understand that. The man has found his passion, it's hard to pull away from something like that,” Nichola said to Alice before turning to me. “But my girls are right, it's important to not burn yourself out. Isabella practically did the same when I was your age and trying to make a name for myself at the law firm.” “No worries, I am far from burnt out, but I will make sure to heed your advice,” I said in response to Nichola. However, I am sure if he knew the whole picture of my situation, he would not compare it so closely. “And Jen did not scold me, we had a conversation,” I said to Alice trying to soften her blunt truth about my one-sided conversation with Jen. “Charlie, I thought you liked Scotch?” Nichola said, questioning why I hadn’t touched my drink. I was about to say something before Alice started to talk before I could, “Did you not get permission from Jennifer to drink tonight?” she asked me. “I do not need ‘permission’,” I said to Alice with a sarcastic scowl. I softened my face before telling them both confidently, “I told Jen I would let her know before I drank alcohol.” I watched as Nichola just chuckled. “You don’t have to worry, Jennifer made sure to email Isabella and me a copy of the rules you two are following. Consider your self-granted permission,” I froze for a second, processing his words, before taking a drink of scotch to ease my nerves and keep myself from blushing. “Of course,” was all I could say, shaking my head in disbelief. I felt Alice’s hand on my knee, keeping me from clamming up. “Charlie, Dad has always known about you and Jen's little dynamic,” Alice started to tell me, using my name to make sure I knew she was sincere. “Dad does not care; he sees how happy you make my sister. He is just trying to make light of the situation to ease the tension.” “To be honest Charlie,” Nichola started to say to get my attention, “It's not me you need to worry about, I know you are a good man.” I watched him take another sip of scotch before adding, “Isabella on the other hand, is who you need to be concerned with.” I followed suit and took another drink myself before diving back into the conversation, “Ya, I heard a little bit of before Alice dragged me away” I could only smile at the position I was finding myself in, “Dinner is going to be interesting isn’t it.” I see Nichola open his mouth but then turn his head toward the door, Alice and I do the same. We all watched as Isabella came strolling in with a dignified smile on her face, that was till she saw the glass of amber liquid in my hands. “What are you drinking young man?” she asked me. Without giving me one second to answer, she turned to Nichola and said, “Did you give him alcohol?” “Yes Isabella, I gave my son-in-law alcohol,” Nichola said bluntly without flinching. Isabella turned back to me and quickly quizzed me, “Did you ask your mommy first?” I was only slightly stunned and was quickly searching for the right answer to defuse the situation. “Isabella, I permitted him,” Nichola said as he got up to pour a second glass of scotch. “And to be honest, the poor man is going to need it.” I was thankful for Nichola taking the heat off me, Isabell turned back to him to rebuttal his remark, “What do you mean he is going to need it?” Isabella apparently did not want to wait for a response, she turned back to me took my glass from my hand, and gave it to Alice. “You and your father are being a bad influence on little Charlie,” she said directing her comment to Alice. Isabella turned to grab my hand and pulled me to my feet, “Come on sweety, those two are only going to get you into trouble.” Isabella may have been a lot smaller the Jen, but I still could not pull my hand from her grip. I looked to Alice to save me, but she did not move, and when I looked back to Nichola he was still busying himself with his drink. I tried to lengthen my stride to keep up with Isabella, but she did not slow down till we were out of the study. “Do you know where Jen is?” I asked my mother-in-law, trying not to sound nervous. Isabella slowed down to a slow walk and looked down at me, “Stop being disrespectful, your ‘Mommy’ is in the kitchen helping me cook. I was going to come in and ask you if you wanted a snack before dinner but since clearly can not be trusted with those two, you can come hand out with your Mommy and Grammy.” Isabella just smiled at me and kept my hand in hers as she led the way. Was I hearing this right, did she expect me to call her Grammy? I was going to need to talk to Jen about this, I know she and Alice mentioned it but still. As I followed Isabella, the same question started to repeat itself in my head, did he not see me as an adult? I know I was a bit on the short side, but I am a grownup. Nichola and Alice treated me as an adult and so did Jen, outside of our unique relationship. After following Isabella through a couple of doors I finally spotted Jen, and true to her word, was in the kitchen. Once I saw her, I tried to free my hand once more but was still stuck in Isabella’s grasp. We stopped just inside the door, but as Jen saw me, she started to dry her hands off and make her way to us. “Little Charlie, do you have something to say to your Mommy?” Isabella told me as a statement more than a question. I only took my eyes off Jen to look at Isabella confused. “Tell Mommy what you were drinking,” she instructed me. I looked at Jen with longing eyes, my strong and assertive demeanor slowly fading. “Mommy, I was drinking scotch with Nichola and Alice,” I informed Jen, trying to give her the whole picture. “Did you get your own glass or did my father give you a glass?” Jen asked me gently, trying to get more information. “It does not matter Jennifer, he did not ask your permission,” Isabella answered for me flatly. Jen did not even take her eyes off me, she just waited for me to answer her. “It was given to me,” I told her honestly. My nerves were starting to ease as I saw Jen's eyes soften. Jen just smiled and turned her head to her mother, “I don’t see any issue, Daddy gave him the drink, and they normally have a drink or two anyway on Sundays.” As Jen said that I felt the grip on my hand loosen. I took my freedom and stepped beside Jen, to be honest, I wanted to hide behind her, but I refused to let Isabella see me as weak. Jen put her arm around me and continued to talk, “Mom, we just got done having this conversation. Charlie is ‘My’ husband, and ‘My’ little. Not yours, you will respect that and quit being extra.” I watched Jen shut Isabella down, she then turned to me, “Baby, will you please go get Daddy and Alice, and tell them that dinner is ready?” I looked Jen in the eye and told her, “Yes, Ma’am.” But before I could step off Jen held onto my shoulder and bent down to whisper in my ear, “I can tell your diaper is still dry, take this time to potty.” She let me go and sent me on my way with a gentle pat on the butt. As I exited the kitchen and made my back to the study, I tried to take Jen’s suggestion. I did not need to pee, but it was not like I could go, so I just took a breath and tried to walk a little slower. There was not much time between the kitchen and the study, so I knew I was going to have to make things work if I was going to do this. I was near the door to the study when I just stopped and closed my eyes and did my best to just let go. It was easier to do at home, but I was currently by myself, so I tried to just be in the moment Eventually, I was able to feel things starting and getting warm, I did not need to go much but I made a small dent. When I opened my eyes, I saw Nichola and Alice standing in front of me, coming out of the study. I stood there like a deer in the headlight, “You going potty, squirt?” Alice asked as she approached me, placing her hand on the front of my crotch feeling my freshly wet diaper. “Good job,” she praised as she tussled my hair and walked past me towards the kitchen. My head followed her as she passed, still in a bit of shock at what I just did in front of them. Well, I am more embarrassed that I did it in front of Nichola, which made me turn back to him to see him wink at me. “Good job, buddy, Jen will be pleased,” he said as grabbed my shoulder to spin me around. Nichola kept his hand on my back, guiding me along, though his pace was a lot more manageable than Isabella’s, despite our massive height difference. “I hope Isabella was not mean to you, she does mean well,” he said gently as we walked together. “By the way, dinner is done,” I tried to say confidently. Nichola just chuckled, “We figured it had to be close to being done, that is why Alice and I have come out to investigate.” “Don’t lie, Dad,” Alice said in front of us. “You were worried Mom was tormenting your poor little Charlie.” It was hard to stay resilient with that comment. I could not help but look up to see Nichola’s face, and to my surprise I found him glancing down to give me another wink before looking forward again. This cannot be happening. Alice led us into the dining room where I found Isabella setting the table and Jen bringing in the food that was cooked. “Everyone hungry?” Isabella asked us all. I watched Alice put her nose in the air and say, “Is that my sister's famous garlic potatoes I smell?” “It all smells wonderful,” Nichola said making his way into the kitchen, leaving me in the dining room with the rest. “What do you want to drink, Charlie?” I was about to respond before Jen spoke for me, “Don’t worry Daddy, I will get it.” As Jen followed Nichola into the kitchen, I turned to find my normal spot at the large rectangular table. I looked over the spread and found not only my wife’s delicious potatoes but also baked chicken, Brussels sprouts, and fresh rolls. The food all smelled good, but it just looked overwhelming, I was glad that I was able to skip lunch. Soon everyone made their way to the table, Nichola sat at the head of the table with Isabella to his right and me to his left. Alice sat next to her mother and Jen sat next to me. Jen got us both water to drink, she also let me drink out of a normal cup with no lid. Everyone else was drinking sweet tea, which I did not like, I preferred unsweetened personally, so water was my normal at Sunday dinner. After Grace was done, I watched everyone start to juggle the food around, filling their plates. When I first started to join them for the Sunday dinners I would fill my own plate, and Isabella often said I did not take enough and forced me to put too much food on my plate, which caused me to not be able to finish all my food. There were quite a few times I was the last one done, with Isabella insisting that I try and eat as much as I could. When Jen started to take a more active role in my eating habits, she also started to help me fill my plate at Sunday dinner, which prevented Isabella from bullying me into putting more food than I could eat on my plate. It did make me feel juvenile, but it was way better than the alternative. “Would you like a roll, sweetie?” Jen asked me as she started to fill my plate. “No thanks,” I told her, as I spotted my mother-in-law look at me. Out of the recent events today I was starting to be a bit timid around her. Luckily, I had Jen sitting beside me, I put one of my hands on Jen's lap, to try and borrow her courage. “Jennifer, honey, he needs. . .” was all I heard Isabella say before seeing Jen look up at her in a scowl. “Isabella, this is the last time I am going to say this,” Nichola started to say, making me look in his direction. With an even but firm tone, he went on to say, “Leave the poor boy alone, Jennifer is doing a good job herself in mothering over him. He does not need two nagging women trying to control him.” I watched Jen and Nichola lock eyes after his comment, but no words were exchanged, just a silent argument between two alfas. But the tension in the air did settle and was back at a more normal tone. Even though I wanted to go hide under a rock due to the recent events, I was still the first one to break the silence. The was only one house rule to follow, no talking about work at Sunday dinner, it was supposed to be about family getting together, not business. “So, Nichola, how is the golf swing coming along.” After clearing his mouth Nichola responded, “Not too bad, the boys and I did a couple of rounds of eighteen last weekend and almost made the top score.” “Nice,” I said in between bites of food. “Yeah, but I am going to need to forgo golfing next weekend. The Porshe started to give me fits the other day, I got to put some time aside to go get it looked at.” Nichola said, apparently not done telling his story. I noticed Alice perk her ears up, “You broke my Porche?” she said in question. I about spat my food out at the look Nichola gave Alice. “It’s not your car, and go get your own,” Nichola said as if he were a dragon hoarding his gold. “Mmm,” Alice grunted, waving her fork as she finished chewing. “I could get my own, but I want yours old man. That one is a collector.” I was not sure what made it a collector, but I did know that the Porche in question was a 1975 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera, Nichola kept its original white paint job immaculate. I swallowed my food and said, “You know I have some free time on my hands, I could take a look at it for yah. I could also get my buddy, Adam, to take a look too, he owns a shop across town.” Nichola smiled at me before responding to my offer, “That’s a tempting offer, but you may want to see what your other half has planned before you start drumming up your own work.” I just sighed and went to shove the last of the potatoes on my plate into my mouth. I had about a 50/50 shot in her letting me go play mechanic, plus the more I thought about it, I don’t think I would want to be here without Jen with me. After I swallowed my potatoes, I went on to counteroffer, “If take it to a shop at least take it over to Adam and have him look at it. He is a wiz at what he does.” I spotted Isabella wanting to say something but was biting her tongue, though Jen must have seen it as well because I heard her speak up next. “Please can we move off the topic of cars, and your friend Adam, please,” was all Jen said before I saw her look down and glance at how I was fairing with my food. “What’s wrong with Adam?” I heard Alice say, questioning Jen's specific request. I guess Isabella could not hold out any longer because she was next to pipe up. “This Adam fella is not a good influence. He is replacing good parts with other good parts to make money off people that don’t know better.” Her comment made me a bit confused; I have known Adam forever; he would not do any of that. Also, how did she know him? “Mother, that is not what I said. You are taking my words and twisting them,” I heard Jen say defensively. I raised an eyebrow, “What on earth are you to talking about?” I asked confused. Isabella made sure to look at me when she said, “Your Mommy said you and Adom were replacing a turbo thing in your overpowered race car for another. I tried to convince her multiple times you need to get rid of that thing, it’s too dangerous.” I just stared at her like she was growing a horn out of her forehead. I knew exactly what she was talking about now. “To clear the air,” I started to say looking around the table, “it was not just replacing a single turbo, Adam helped me upgrade the Voodoo engine in my car so that I could handle twin turbos. I mean yeah, the old turbo was good, but I just wanted to upgrade it and get better performance. However, I had to put a full roll cage in it before I could do that with a five-point seat harness in first by a firm request from Mommy. I would agree though on the race car comment, that much is true. Though I was only ever upside down in my Cj7, but that is a different story.” I could see the shock on Isabella’s face, not sure if she understood what I said though. “That’s a rather heavy modification,” Nichola said, making me look in his direction. “Different topic please, before Mother blows a gasket and wraps Charlie in bubble wrap,” Jen said firmly to us all before looking at me. “And you should be leery on such topics around your Grammy.” Dinner did not last much longer after that, though the conversation was changed and eventually Isabella stopped staring at me. I was not fond of the idea of calling Isabella Grammy, at least not after today. Who knew she was a wolf in a lamb in a sheep disguise? Jen was nice enough to match my eating pace, so I was able to finish at the same time as her, I did not even wait for me to ask to be excused. She simply praised me for finishing, kissed the top of my head, and took our plates to the kitchen. We all did our part in cleaning up and putting the dining room and kitchen back together before anyone relaxed. “You about ready to go home short stuff,” Jen said, drying her hands after washing the last dish. I stepped off the stool that I was using to help Jen with dishes and started to push it back by the fridge, where it lived. “I sure am,” I said in my best fake yon. It was only Jen, Isabella, and me in the kitchen, Nichola and Alice decided that cleaning the table was good enough before disappearing and leaving the three of us to finish with leftovers and dishes. “Charlie does not need to be changed before you leave, does he?” Isabella asked Jen as if I was not there. I will say, she has calmed down a bit after Nichola drew the line at dinner. I looked up to see Jen smile at me and ask, “What do you think, huh, are you my soggy baby?” I was not sure Jen even wanted me to answer, she wasted no time gently squeezing my diaper to see how wet it was. I did honestly try to go potty more, but I was only able to go a little bit while I was standing next to Jen helping her with dishes, pretending it was just us in the room. “Nope, still got a few miles left, you probably will be ok till we get you home, it’s almost your bedtime Mr.,” she told me with a wink. I was somewhat confident that her wink was meant for the bedtime reference, though I could be wrong. Jen and I followed Isabella to the front door. We waited for Isabella to go fetch Nichola so we could say our goodbyes. “You know you two don’t need to wait till Sunday to come over,” Isabella said as I followed Jen out the door. “I am sure I could find other things for little Charlie to play with other than that old car Nichola has.” Yup, I was not coming back without Jen. “We will see Mom,” Jenifer said as she waved goodbye. “Baby, tell Grammy bye,” Jen said, surprising me with my impromptu instructions. I looked up with questioning eyes only to be met with a gentle smile and a look that said ‘Please don’t fuss’. I took a breath and looked back at Nichola and Isabella, “Bye Grammy, Bye. . .” I started to say before trailing off, did I need to call him something else too? “Jest Nichola is fine, Charlie,” Nichola responded to my confused face. “My wife is the only one that needs her cute title.” I smiled returned and finished, “Bye Nichola. I will have Mommy email you Adam's info.” Nichola responded only with a wave and a nod. I turned around and finally made my way over to the passenger side of the car. “BACK SEAT YOUNG MAN,” I heard Isabella yell out by the door, making me jump when I opened the passenger door. To my surprise, I saw a car seat in the back that was not there before.

Thanks so much, I am sure you will enjoy the next few chapters. please stay tuned

Chapter Twelve When Jen opened the door there were a few emotions that arose, but anger and being mad was not one of them. The first wave of emotions was a little bit of shock, not in the scents of ‘OMG, it’s a nursery,’ but more just shocked at how absent I needed to be to not realize my wife was remodeling a room in our house. I took a step inside while Jen and Jessica stayed at the doorway, the last time I remember being in this room was when the walls were white and full of boxes. The last thing Jen said something to me about this room was when she wanted to paint the walls before we set it up for whatever we wanted to turn it into. I should have known she already had plans set and in motion. The next emotion that came bubbling up was a bit of fear, I knew Jen let me know of her intentions, but I did not realize that it would go this deep. What did Jen expect me to do, just come home and play baby? There was a crib big enough to challenge my escape, a changing table that was halfway stocked with my diaper, a rather cozy-looking rocking chair, and a small chest of toys in the corner. Looking at the closet, I can assume most of the babyish clothes that Jen has been getting have been hiding in there, or that chest of drawers that matched the crib and changing table. The more I stood in the room and took in the sights the more I was able to process my reaction and take in the hard work that was done. I mean, Jen really outdid herself, other than the fact that I was standing in a size nursery, the blue ombre fading from light to dark was nearly picturesque. With the glow-in-the-dark stars on the dark blue ceiling, it was as if I was in one of my company jets flying above the clouds. The soft and fuzzy carpet that my bare feet were on was starting to feel more like clouds the more I stood there. There was also still so much room for activities in here, I wonder if Jen is done decorating. Sure, Jen had a healthy level of babyish decorations, like my name in block letters above the crib and model airplanes hanging from the ceiling, flying through the nursery’s sky, but there was more to it. She added memories of us, moments of our journey together, captured in a timeless photo hung on the wall. This room was not just for me, Jen built this room for herself as much as she did for me. Jen is a Mommy at heart and yearns to take care of me, she reminds me all the time that I am her little boy. I turned back around to Jen, she still looked like a bag of nerves. Yes, this room was a lot to take in and I was not ready for it but there was one important thing that I wanted to take care of first. “Mommy, please will you change me,” I said simply as I grabbed a clean diaper from the changing table. Jen's face softened to a gentle smile and with a loving voice she responded, “Of course baby, let's get you freshened up.” I saw her confidence start to come back as she came over, picked me up, and placed me on the changing table. Sitting down in my dirty diaper was not a fun feeling, but I knew it was not going to last much longer. Jen guided me to lay down on the soft but firm padding on top of the changing table. I did not notice before, but the padding was covered in little clouds and airplanes to match the theme of the room, she really did go all out. The sound of Jen ripping the tapes off brought my attention back to her and just like before, she did not make one sour face while she quickly and expertly cleaned my mess up. While Jen was busy with my lower half, I noticed Jessica snooping through the closet. I guess Jen must have been keeping in contact with her for a while, Jessica seemed to know quite a bit about our relationship and the dynamic that we have. I mean it doesn’t surprise me; they have been friends since college. “You mind if have this,” Jen said as she gently started to grab the clean diaper I still had in my hands, bringing my attention back to her. I did not blush while Jen was changing me, why should I, she has been essentially doing it for years now, but it was a different feeling going from one diaper to another. I was starting to feel disconnected from my lower self, outside of me showering, Jen was now my keeper. Luckily, I knew that she loved me and would make sure all my needs were met. “There we go, all fresh and clean,” she said sweetly as she finished taping up my new diaper. As Jen pulled me up to a sitting position, I felt the time was right for me to speak up and tell her what was weighing on my mind. “Mommy,” I said softly, asking for her attention. “Yes, sweetie,” Jen said as she looked me in the eyes and started to pull my shirt off, leaving me in just a diaper. I could not help but blush as Jessica walked up behind Jen, putting my new outfit down beside me. But I still had Jen’s attention, so I continued to what I wanted to say, “So . . . the essay I wrote, got me thinking.” I watched Jen grab the black onesie that was put beside me and start opening one end of it and proceeding to put it over my head, making me fish my arms through the sides. “Is there a way we can ease into the whole public diapering . . . thing?” I asked as confidently as I could. Jen guided me back down on my back again, snap, snap, snap, snap. “Ok, I am listening,” Jen said as she pulled me back up to a sitting position again. She softly put her hands on my thighs and looked at me, waiting for me to continue. With her undivided attention on me, I took a deep breath to settle my nerves and continued to explain, “I was just thinking, you don’t become potty trained overnight, you must train for it. Wouldn’t it be logical to do the same in reverse?” I saw the gears in her head turning, unlike her I was not good at reading others. “I am not trying to change the rules or anything or get out of diapers. I was just nearly thinking about reverse potty training . . .” I say, starting to ramble before I see Jen start to open her mouth. “I hear what you are saying,” she said, stopping my rambling. “I should have thought of this before, but I guess I was a little excited and went too far too fast,” she continued with a smile. “What if we get you some pull-ups?” “OK?” I said, paying attention to her idea, and asking her to elaborate. I wore pull-ups before to try and deal with my bedwetting, but they did not work for me, that is why Jen coaxed me to just start wearing diapers. “When we are at home, safe and behind closed doors, you will stay in diapers. But when we go out and about, we can get you some pull-ups to wear and help get yourself comfortable in small ‘accidents’ before we graduate you with full-fledged diapers. I would also let you use the potty in public, only. . .” she said pausing, holding up her right index finger emphasizing the specific exception she was about to reveal. “. . . when you come to me, or your babysitter, for permission.” She only left a small pause to separate her exception with the reason, “This will allow you to work on trying to be confident in wearing and wetting your diapers in public.” To be honest, I was a little shocked to hear her have a solution to the proposal so fast. Her idea essentially allowed me to use the potty in public, I don’t think I can pass this opportunity down. But I still had to ask, “I think that is a great compromise, but how did you think of it so fast?” I just saw the sweet smile Jen seemed to reserve just for me before I heard her say, “To be honest, Charlie, I could not stop thinking about the other day. Let's just say you and I are on the same wavelength.” After a small breath, I felt humility in her next words, “Will you forgive me for forcing you to wet your pants?” I could tell that she had a lot more she wanted to say but just could not form them into words. Jen has always been honest with me, sometimes a little coarse or blunt, but always honest and loving. A smile crept to my face, I was never resentful of what happened, I would not have been in the situation if I had just trusted her in the first place. But I was glad to move past this, “There is nothing to forgive, Mommy,” I told her as I leaned into her, hugging her. Jen hugged me back and whispered, “How did I ever find a wonderful person to share my life with.” After our small embrace, she went on to ask another question in about the same tone as before, “This was not meant to be sprung on you just yet, but I am curious to know.” Jen took a step back and started to wave her hands as if we were on a game show and she was presenting me with my grand prize bedroom, “What do you think?” I glanced at Jessica, she was just standing there watching us interact with each other, I could tell she was still a little embarrassed for spilling the beans prematurely. “I am not going to lie; it is very overwhelming.” I started to say, looking back at Jen, and taking a breath to think of more words to say. “I love being your baby Mommy but don’t forget that I still need my big boy time. I have a hard time being ‘little’ and I know you say you see it, but I still don’t. But I do love the care and love you provide me, even though your mothering is rather frustrating at times,” I said with a small chuckle at the end. “But overall, I will say I am impressed, overwhelmed, but very impressed. Good job Mommy.” Jen's sweet smile just got bigger as she stepped back closer to me, taking my hands into hers. “Thanks for not overreacting, I know it’s a lot to take in,” she started to say, keeping eye contact with me, showing me how much she meant her words. “But this may be ‘your’ nursery, but I meant for this space to be just for us. A place where we can let the stress of the outside world just melt away.” I finally heard Jessica say something since she blurted about the nursery, “Jennifer really does understand that you are not only ‘Baby’ but also her loving partner who has his own needs.” I saw Jessica hold up a black and grey short-sleeved button-up mechanic shirt in my size with ‘Mommies Mechanic’ embroidered where the name would go. “We both figured that you may need some adult time after the last couple of days,” Jesica said as she helped me put my new shirt over my onesie. Once I got my shirt all buttoned up, I took a second to admire the comfortable fit, outside of it saying 'Mommies Mechanic,' it would be a perfect shirt to wear when I am working on my cars. I looked over at Jen and asked her, “Does this mean I can do my own thing today?” “For a little bit, and not without some shorts to cover that cute little butt of yours,” Jen said as she started to grab the dark-colored shorts that matched my shirt. With a smile, Jen grabbed one of my hands and said, “You want to hop down so I can put these on.” I did just that, once back on my own two feet I used Jen to balance myself as she insisted on helping me dress. I tried to button my fly on my own, but Jen’s hands were there doing it before I could do it myself. “Do we really have to go to your parents for dinner tonight?” I asked as I watched her grab a pair of socks from the top drawer of the chest of drawers. “To be honest, I don’t think we could get out of it even if I wanted to,” Jen informed me as she shooed Jessica and me out of my nursery. Before I went downstairs, I took a hard look at the bedroom where Jen and I slept, was I going to be made to sleep in the crib now? Jen grabbed my hand to lead me down the stairs because my thoughts stopped me in my tracks. I went downstairs much like I did earlier, just in the opposite direction. “You want me to help you with your shoes?” she asked as she handed me a fresh pair of socks. “No, thank you,” I said taking the sock from her. “Um, Mommy. Do I still get to sleep in the same room as you?” I asked with a bit of sorrow lingering on my face. I sat down by the door and started to put my socks and shoes on. “Oh honey,” Jen said, as I watched her crouch down to watch me put my shoes on. “I don’t think I could sleep without you; the crib is there if you want to use it, but you are always welcome to sleep with me,” she said trying to ward off my sorrow. “But maybe we can see how comfy it is for a nap sometime?” I was satisfied with her answer, though I was not going to be napping regardless of what anyone was thinking. With my shoes on and tied, I quickly got up and lunged at Jen, wrapped my arms around her, nearly knocking her over. “You are the best Mommy ever,” I told her. I felt Jen wrap her arms around me, picking me up as she started to stand and gain her balance from my surprise hug. “You two are just too cute,” I heard from Jessica. Jen made sure to have my feet on the floor before we let go of each other. “Go play, baby,” she said to me as she swatted my bottom playfully out the door. I walked through the door with a smile on my face as I made my way to the garage door. I lifted the cover to the small keypad that sat by the garage door and mashed my six-digit code, making the garage open and revealing my brilliant blue sports car. “Let's get your oil changed,” I told my car. *** I shut the door behind Charlie, “Well that went rather well, considering everything,” I said to Jessica as well as myself. “I am so sorry; I did not mean to reveal the nursery like I did. I did not realize you did not tell him,” Jessica said as I turned to face her. You could see the regret still painted on her face. “To tell you the truth, I was not sure how I was going to tell him,” I told Jessica, trying to make her feel better. “Maybe it was a good thing it happened like it did?” I told her the truth; I did not know how to tell Charlie. “I still feel bad, but thank you,” Jessica told me, “I'm not going to stay much longer, I still have chores around the house before the week starts. Thanks for breakfast, it was delicious, and let me know when you need me to babysit Shortcake out there.” “Thanks for coming over, and I will definitely let you know when I need yah,” I responded as I watched her slip her shoes on. After slipping on my flip-flops, I followed her out the door and over to the driveway where her car was parked. We both turned our heads to see what Charlie was getting into as the inside of the garage came into view. Charlie was working on lifting the front end of his car, and if I remember right, he wanted to change the oil or something in the car. “He doesn’t waste no time does he,” I heard Jessica say as she reached her car. “Nope, always digging into something,” I said in response. “Well don’t be a stranger.” The engine of Jessica’s car started up, and soon after I saw her wave at Charlie, who I turned to see, and looked in our direction to see what was happening. I watched Charlie wave his already dirty hands back, the whole thing just made me smile. Jessica waved at me next before putting her car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. With Jessica gone, I turned to head back into the house, but not before I stopped in front of the garage. “Please don’t get too dirty, Charlie,” I told my husband, trying to make sure he heard me over the music that he had turned on. “No promises, babe . . . shoot!” Charlie said before quickly popping his head around the front of the car, “Mommy, I meant to say Mommy.” I watch him stare at me to see my reaction to what he said. I just grinned at shook my head at him as I held up one finger, signifying strike one, before walking to the front door. With Charlie out of sight, and probably back to getting dirty, I could only laugh at him. Once I was back inside, I slipped my flip-flops off and went into the kitchen to read the essay that Charlie had written. If you just watched the interactions between Charlie and me you wouldn’t see it, but Charlie does have a way with words when he is around other people. The way he talks and articulates himself does stand out; you quickly realize why he has such a large network. The essay did not take long to read, but it did make me smile at the fact that I got him to think and remember, our dynamic demands both of us to be able to communicate with each other. I took the essay back into the office and put it in one of the files that I kept for him. With Charlie out in the garage doing his own thing and Jessica gone, I had a little bit of time for myself. I pulled out my phone and saw four text messages from my mother, all asking if Charlie and I were coming to dinner. Instead of texting back I just pressed the call button and put the phone up to my ear. “Good morning, Jennifer, about time I heard from you. Alice told me that your conversation with Little Charlie went well,” my mother said. I rolled my eyes even though I knew she could not see them over the phone, “Good morning, Mother,” I simply said as I walked back into the kitchen, pulling down a cup with a lid and straw from the cabinet to fill up with water. “Yes, Charlie and I had a good conversation Friday. I assume Alice told you all about it?” “She gave me the cliff notes, letting me know that you both let Little Charlie in on the fact that Nichola and I know about his diapers and your two’s whole dynamic you have going on.” Mother said in response, “But I just want to make sure, you two are coming to dinner tonight, right?” With a heavy sigh I told her, “Yes Mom, we are coming. Just. . . don’t go overboard and smother him.” I balanced the phone between my shoulder and my ear to free both hands so I could secure the lid on Charlie’s cup. Satisfied, I grab my phone again and use my free hand to snag Charlie's cup before heading to the door leading to the garage from the house. I heard my mother gasp before saying, “Smother him? I have never smothered my little Charlie; he is too small and fragile. Speaking of which, you need to feed him more, he is way too small and skinny.” “Hold on Mom,” I told her as I pinned my phone back between my shoulder and ear, freeing up a hand to open the door leading to the garage. I quickly set Charlie’s cup on the workbench, “Charlie, I brought you something to drink,” I hollered over the music before retreating into the house. “Thanks,” I heard Charlie yell just before I closed the door. “Mom, you still there?” I ask, resecuring the phone in my hand, walking over to the kitchen island to sit and finish my phone call. “What was that racket?” my mother asked, responding to my question. “Charlie is changing the oil in the sports car and had his music playing in the garage,” I informed Mom. “You still let him drive that big car? That thing has too much power for that little boy, why don’t you get him a small little roadster, one with a little engine,” my mother said in a nagging tone. “Mother, he may be my little boy, but he is a full-grown man. And if you think I can get him to part with that car, you are mistaken. Charlie and his friend Adam spent all last winter replacing a perfectly good turbo, with another one . . .” I started to inform her before she started to cut me off. “You can call little Charlie anything you want dear, but he is not fully grown, he is stuck in a little boy body and needs to be treated as such. This Adam fella sounds like a bad influence, why are they replacing parts that are still good? That doesn’t make sense.” My mother interrupted in a rebuttal. With a heavy sigh I went on to say, “Mom, I am not going to sit here and debate how I should treat Charlie. As for Adam, he is fine, they were friends long before I knew Charlie anyway. And if Charlie wants to replace parts in his car, he can, though I think he said it was a bigger turbo. Either way, we can talk more later, I will see you tonight. Goodbye Mom,” I said, trying to end a conversation that would never end. “You could always come over early, honey, and I promise to not smother little Charlie. Though I don’t see where you got that notion Goodbye darling, see you soon.” my mother said, surprisingly ending our conversation. I quickly ended the phone call, making sure to not leave any room for my mother to get another thought in her head to talk about. This dinner will be one to remember, I am sure of it. *** I grabbed a shop towel to clean my hands as I looked over my car to admire my work. I was able to not only change my oil but also replace my front brakes before Jen popped her head in to tell me to find a stopping point. I walked over to turn my music off and tossed the shop towel in the bin to wash later. With a quick hand inspection, I got most of the dirt and grime off, though I will need to wash my hands to pass Jen’s clean hands of approval. I walked out of the garage, pressing the button on the keypad to close the garage door behind me. Jen must have expected me because the front door opened as I reached it. I walked in, slipped my shoes off, and smiled at Jen, noticing a change in outfit since I last seen her. “Looking good, Mommy,” I told her honestly. One perk of dinner at the in-laws was being able to see Jen in a dress, though I knew I needed to change my outfit as well to match. It's not that Jen did not like to wear dresses; her job was just more of a suit and pants kind of gig than anything. It is also good to note that Isabella, Jen’s mother, had a long-standing rule that Sunday dinners with family were to be a formal event and nagged every to wear semi-casual outfits. This just meant the men had to have a collared shirt and the women had to have a dress or skirt. Jen and I did try to make it every Sunday but sometimes our jobs just would not allow it. “Baby, you are absolutely filthy,” Jen started to say bending down to my level. “You have dirt all over your face. No matter, I had a hunch you were not going to stay clean,” she said with a giggle. I was listening to Jen as she hovered over to inspect me, but I was distracted by her beautiful figure supporting her red dress, it was mid-length with a V-neck and short sleeves. Jen even had her long brunette hair down, and with the way she was bending over it was flowing across her breasts, which made me mesmerized. “Sorry Mommy, nose itched,” I told her trying to make an excuse for my dirty face. I heard Jen clear her thought, which brought my attention up to her eyes, “You know it’s rude to stare, baby,” she said amusingly. “Do not touch the walls but go upstairs into our bedroom and go directly to the bathroom, understand?” she instructed. “Yes, ma’am,” I told her with a smile. I did what was told and trotted up the stairs and directly to the bathroom that was adjoined to our bedroom. I could feel Jen close behind me, though she did make a slight detour before joining me in the bathroom. When she finally joined me in the bathroom, I got bombarded with a baby wipe to the face. I did my best to hold still but I still found myself squirming away. “Hold still, honey,” Jen told me as she tried to get that last bit of dirt from my face. “There, your face is clean, but you still reek of motor oil and dirt,” she told me as I found her undressing me. Jen had my shirt off first, then she had me step out of my shorts, and then she reached between my legs and undid the snaps to my onesie, bringing it up and over my head. “Take a quick shower for me, baby, get all that dirt and grime off,” Jen said as she ripped the tapes off my diaper, letting it splat on the floor. “You did a good number on that diaper of yours, good job.” It's still hard for me not to blush when I get praised for something so juvenile, but I knew better than to apologize for it. I was about to say something, but I quickly got turned about and playfully swatted on my bare cheeks. “Go get cleaned up,” she said, leaving me to shower alone. I tried not to dilly-dally, using some good soap I was able to wash away the dirt. I lathered up a second time though with a different soap so I would smell fresh with a hint of pine. Satisfied, I turned off the shower and stepped out, snagging the towel that Jen had sitting out for me. After getting dry I left the towel to fall to the floor so it could soak up the puddle I made from stepping out of the shower. I went ahead and took the time to brush my teeth, apply deodorant, and spritz a hint of cologne on that Jen got me. I poked my head into the bedroom, wondering where Jen was hiding. I was honestly surprised she was not buzzing around me already, trying to dress me. Normally I would dress myself, but with the new rules, I knew I was not getting away without getting a diaper on first and speaking of which. I think I knew where my ‘Mommy’ was at. Naked as the day I was born, I made my way out of our room, down the hall, and into the nursery Jen put together. “Found you,” I said as I spotted her rummaging through the closet. Jen turned her head spotting me standing in the doorway. “Look at you, all squeaky clean,” she said as she made her way over to me, holding” some clothing in her arms. “Is that the cologne I got you?” “Yup, I wanted to smell nice for you Mommy,” I told her as I watched her set the clothes on one end of the changing table before picking me up and laying me down on it as well. I felt Jen's eyes quickly inspect my handy work to make sure I was as clean as I smelled before she reached for a fresh diaper and quickly diapered me, leaving my quickly rising manhood secure in my thickly padded undergarment. I saw a smile creep up on Jen’s face before she said, “I see someone is in good spirits.” I don’t know why her comment made me turn as red as her dress, but I tried to hide my embarrassment. I mean we are married and have a healthy adult relationship. I was brought out of my thoughts quickly when I heard her say, “Aww, don’t be shy honey, I am flattered to make you happy,” she said pulling me up in the seated position. I just smiled back at her as she kissed me and proceeded to dress me. Jen had me in a plain white onesie, with my light blue button-up shirt and a new pair of steal grey slacks. I did have a black bet to style with, but we did decide to forgo the tie. Before we left the nursery, she grabbed an extra diaper and followed me to the stairs. “Go ahead, sweetie, head downstairs and put your shoes on. I need to grab your diaper bag out of the bedroom reel quick,” she said leaving to descend the stairs alone. I felt good, I was dressed nicely, close to what I wear to work, and I felt normal. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. If I can at least get used to using my diapers in public. I just sat down on the couch to put my shoes on when I saw Jen come down the stairs carrying my baby blue backpack she used as my diaper bag. “If you want, we can stop and get you some pull-ups on the way to Mom’s house,” Jen told me as she slipped on her nice flats and grabbed her purse. “Will I get to wear them at dinner tonight,” I tried asking, fearing I knew the answer already. I saw Jen glance at me as I stood up and strained my trousers before following her out the door. “Sorry, baby, but Mom’s house is not public,” she simply said. “Worth a shot, I guess,” I said in reply to her denial. We both hopped in Jen’s SUV and buckled up. Jen set my diaper bag on the floorboard at my feet and her purse tucked out of the way. Jen put the vehicle in gear and looked at me before she started to drive, “Do you want to go get Lady Frankie really quick before we take off,” she asked, referring to my stuffed bunny, “You left her sitting in the office.” “No thank you, I will be ok,” I told her, hiding the slight embarrassment of being asked if I needed my stuffie. She only left a brief pause before she took my word that I would be ok and proceeded to start our journey towards the in-laws.

Chapter Eleven I am not sure about anyone else, but sleep is not always my friend. Some days are better than others and Jen has been a help in making sure that I have more good nights than crummy nights. I mean when you are a bedwetter pretty much all your life and you want to try and have a social life outside of the childish issue that you seem to never grow out of, you learn to do what you can to cheat the system. For me, that was either not keeping myself hydrated, which Jen put a stop to that for me, or just not sleeping. Last night was another one of those good nights. The light of the morning sun was the first thing that brought me from the world of slumber to the waking world of the conscious. Most mornings I am up before the sun, but occasionally my body lets me sleep in. To be honest, I am not even sure that what happened last night was real, was it? As my eyes open, I take in the familiar sight of my bedroom. The only thing missing was my wife, but I am sure she is probably just downstairs in her office, answering emails that seem to not be able to wait till Monday. I sit up in bed with a stuffed bunny clutched in my arms and . . . what is in my mouth? I reach up and pull out a large pacifier. What on earth is that doing in my mouth? Wait, did last night actually happen? The memory of what happened just hours ago flooded my mind, Jen bamboozled me in drinking from my bottle again. No, not my bottle, just a bottle. I need to tell her that this is not cool, I am an adult. I am not a child; sure, the diapers are one thing but come on. As I jump out of bed, gravity makes me very aware of the state that my diaper is in, wet again. Waking up wet is a very normal thing but when it is combined with me holding on to a plushie and a pacifier bobbing up and down makes me feel smaller than I am. Spotting my shorts as I reach the end of the bed, I slip them over my diaper and waddle my way out of our bedroom, avoiding the mirror that shows me still holding on to the bunny in my left arm and the pacifier clutched in my right fist, still wet from my saliva. Reaching the top of the stairs I see another part of last night's memory, the baby gate. Luckily the baby gate door was cracked open, and I did not have to figure out how it worked, yet. Before opening the gate door, I turn my head back to the bedroom and then to the spare bedrooms to make sure that Jen is not going to jump out as soon as I break through the childish barrier and go downstairs. I don’t know why but it seemed like every step I took down the flight of stairs made the butterflies in my stomach flutter harder. At the bottom of the stairs I froze, who was Jen talking to in the other room? With silent steps, I sneak through the doorway into the kitchen and spot Jen with a cup of coffee sitting across the table from Jessica with her cup of coffee. Jessica spotted me first and just gave me the warmest smile before Jen turned her head and smiled just as big. “Mommy,” I said inquisitively, before turning to and greeting our guest, “Jessica.” “You sleep good?” Jessica said simply as she kept smiling at me. I actually did sleep well, but her question made me almost blush because of what I held in my right hand. “I guess so,” I replied trying to hide my emotions. I turned to Jen and started to walk closer to the table where she and Jessica sat, “Mommy, can I ask you a question?” “Of course, honey,” Jen told me with a soft voice, reaching her arms out for a hug. I reciprocated the hug and took in the sweet scent of Jen’s hair, I loved how it always smelled of lavender and jasmine. I took a step back and watched her as she glanced up and down my body, “I am sorry but, baby, those shorts are too small and do nothing to hide your diaper. Not that I think you need to hide your diaper at home, but I know you like your modesty,” she informed me with a caring smile. Jen seemed to always know what to do to make me blush, I tried to pull the front of my shirt down but realized what I wanted to ask before she distracted me. “Why was this in my mouth,” I asked as I held out my right hand, presenting her with the pacifier that held. I did not think that I would see Jen smile so big, I almost wanted to say that she was blushing herself, but I saw more love in her eyes than embarrassment. “Well, you fell asleep halfway through your bottle last night and when the bottle was empty you were still sucking on it. So instead of you sucking on dry air, I pulled out your binky from my nightstand and put it in your mouth,” she said simply as if it was a normal thing. “I am glad you kept it in, I wonder if you slept better because of it?” My blush quickly turned to a scowl, “I don’t need some pacifier to sleep at night, I am an adult, not some baby.” I handed her the pacifier and crossed my arms, with the bunny hanging there in the middle of my chest. “Of course, you are an adult, Charlie,” Jenifer said, taking the pacifier as she tried to hold her giggle. “I only mean baby as a term of endearment, I don’t mean to belittle you,” she informed. “But I will say you look rather adorable laying in my arms with your bunny and binky in your mouth.” My cheeks turned another shade of red, “Mommy, stop, that’s not nice,” I told her firmly as I tried to hide the bunny. It was almost like she was trying to get a rise out of me. Once she saw my slight frustration, she reached in for another hug, but this one was a lot more sinister. I was soon trapped in Jen’s with no way of escaping, soon her slender finger found the soft tissue between my ribs and started to tickle me. Instantly the sensation of her touch made me explode in laughter, and with my arms behind me trying to hide the bunny I could not even defend myself. “Ha ha ha, stop, ha ha ha ha,” I said trying to plead with my captor. As soon as it happened, it was over just as fast, I stood there panting in exhaustion with a smile on my face. “There it is my Charlie’s wonderful smile,” Jen said as if she had never seen me smile before. “I am sorry I did not ask you if you wanted your binky, but I promise it was met with all good intentions.” “It’s ok Mommy, it was not bad. It was just weird and different, though I am not sure I need it,” I said in a level tone, catching my breath from all the laughing. “Binky or not I think you are just adorable there, Shortcake,” Jessica said as she reached for the stuffed bunny that was now dangling from my left hand. “So, who is your little friend?” “Oh, that,” I started to say, letting her take the bunny in her hands to inspect. “It’s just a bunny that Mommy gave me. It does not have a name,” I informed her. Almost instantly she looked appalled at what I said, “You can’t call your friend here an ‘it,’ that is not nice, and not having a name is just as bad. He needs a name, like Mr. Nibbles.” “He? How do you know it’s a boy?” I said confused about what Jessica was trying to get at. “It is just a plushie.” With a gasp, Jessica pulled the bunny into her breast in a loving hug, as if to protect it from me. “Little boys are so cruel,” Jessica said to Jen as if tattling on me. “I thought you said he loved your gift.” With slight regret and a furrowed brow, “I am sorry, your right its not and ‘it’. But how can you tell if it’s he or she?” Jessica turned back to me with a gentle smile, I also saw Jen there just watching our conversation. “You got to see with your heart, Shortcake, use your imagination. Your Mommy gave you your bunny so you would always have a part of her with you,” Jessica explained with passion. I just stood there dumbfounded, I came down here to tell Jen I was an adult and here I am arguing with Jessica, my new babysitter apparently, about a stuffed bunny's name. “Fine, but since it came from Mommy then it's probably a girl bunny,” I told Jessica. I saw her smile soften as she saw me come around to her way of thinking. “And her name with be Lady Francesca Galbraith,” I said confidently. I am not sure where the name came from, it just popped into my head, but blurting out that name did make Jessica look at me like a deer in headlights. I giggled a little and said, “Frankie for short.” Jessica’s face softened as she processed the name, “Well, you make sure you take care of Lady Frankie. OK, Shortcake,” she said as she handed me my bunny back. I took my bunny back and looked between them, “Mommy, please may I use your computer to finish my essay, I think I may have enough words to complete it.” Jen smiled at me and reached for my pad of paper that was still on the table from last night, “Sure, and while you are doing that, I will make breakfast,” she asked handing me my handwritten essay. I took the tablet from Jen and looked at her as if trying to plead my way out of eating, “it's too early for food.” “We are going to my parent's house tonight for dinner,” Jen started to say cautiously, “if you eat well for me at breakfast, I will let you slide through lunch without a word.” When Jen said that I instantly knew I was in for an interesting day. Normally it would not be that bad; in the past, Jen did just as she said, eat breakfast, skip lunch, and eat well at the in-laws. Jen’s mom is a beast and will make sure I eat whether I want to or not, she already thinks I am underfed by how little I am. But this will be the first time I am over there since I found out they know about everything there is between Jen and me. Just like she was guessing, my appetite disappeared, “Do I have to go,” I asked pleading to her. “You will need to face them sooner or later, let’s get it out of the way now. I promise it won't be that bad,” Jen said sorrowfully. She must have seen the turmoil in my face at the thought of facing her parents. “Just finish your essay, so you can be done, you are a fast typer anyway. I will get you for breakfast when it's ready, and when everything is done, we can talk about it ok? But I think you should go tonight,” Jen said calmly. I simply nodded my head and turned for the office. I knew if I did not want to truly go Jen would not make me. But she was not wrong, Nichola Calegari, Jen’s father, is my main investor in Red Tail Aviation and I will not be able to avoid him forever. Though Nichola is not who I am afraid of, it would be his wife, Isabella. At first, they were skeptical about me dating their daughter, but once they saw I was not like most guys, and I stuck with her they quickly saw me as a part of the family. Isabella always made sure that I ate something when I was over, she thought I did not eat enough and wanted to make sure that her son-in-law was getting enough food. Also, Jen not only looks like her mother, but she shares the same passion as her as well. Though that similar passion usually classes together and they both have heated discussions about me when I am there. They both reassured me they were not fighting; they were just talking. Most of the time I just escaped their heated duel of words in Nichola’s study where he and I let our wives finish ‘talking.’ The study was also where Nichola kept his scotch, which always went well with dinner. I sat at the computer and pulled up the program so I could start typing my essay. Jen was right though; I was rather fast at typing. For me, it was relaxing, like writing is for others. With my paper in just the right place, I stretch and crack my fingers before hovering my fingers just above the keyboard. Typing not only relaxes me but also helps me think, and when I was typing my essay, I was doing just that. I know I should have come clean and told Jen I was having issues with going potty in my diapers in public. But there must be a better way to ease myself into this whole thing of being diapered full-time. When I am at home it is different, I have the comfort of my own home and the knowledge that Jen will always be there to clean me up. But in public knowing that I don’t have that security and privacy is just rather unsettling. I mean you cannot potty train overnight, how can I essentially diaper-train myself overnight? As I sat there and typed my essay, I was about finished till I felt an uncanny presence hovering over me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Jen watching me type away, “Oh, hey Mommy,” I said trying not to sound startled. “You ready for breakfast,” she asked. “I am almost done; can I finish really quick?” I asked pleading my case, trying to swindle out of breakfast. I watch gen flip threw my pages of the essay, “You are only halfway done, please come eat then you can come back and finish.” As she finished telling me a long-winded ‘No’ I saw her hands quickly press a couple of keys and essentially lock the computer. “Your waffles are going to get cold,” she said watching to make sure I was following her to the kitchen. Once I reached the table, I saw that Jessica moved over one seat to let me sit where she was. I sat down next to her; she was either on the same cup of coffee or on her second cup. I also noticed that Jen had already set out plates for the three of us, and Jen's cup of coffee was replaced with a glass of water. Turning my head to find Jen, I saw her come over to the table with a stack of waffles over to the table and set them down in the middle of the three of us. The scent of waffles always brought back good memories of my dad and his famous recipe. It took Jen some begging to get my dad to share with her, though I am glad he did. “Mmm, they smell amazing,” I said sniffing the fresh stack of waffles as they passed my nose. I picked up the fork that was sitting next to my plate, contemplating whether I should just stab the whole stack and claim them all for me. “I see someone find their appetite,” Jen said walking back to the refrigerator, grabbing an empty cup that was sitting on the island counter. “Would you like milk or orange juice, Charlie?” “Please may I have some coffee,” I ask politely as I can. I watch Jen look at me for a moment contemplating before putting the clean cup back in the cabinet and pulling out a coffee cup and filling it up with coffee. I smiled as she also put a little bit of creamer in for me before setting it down next to my plate. “Thank you,” I said with a giant smile. Jen kissed me on the top of the head and said, “You are welcome.” She then took her place at the head of the table, “Well dig in you two,” she said reaching to take a sip of her drink. I quickly grabbed the first waffle with Jessica giggle at my eagerness. As Jen and Jessica were filling their plates up and lathering their waffles with syrup, I was looking around to see if Jen had set out the butter. “Where are you going, Shortcake,” Jessica asked as I started to get up to get the butter that was probably hiding in the fridge. I opened the fridge, grabbed the butter, and was about to shut the door when I saw the strawberry jam sitting on the top of the shelf of the fridge door. I knew I could not reach it and it frustrated me, “Mommy, I need help. I can't reach the jam,” I said with a huff. I “How silly of me to forget,” Jen said getting up so she could get the jam for me. “Thanks,” I said to Jen, trying to be polite. “You can’t have waffles without butter and jam,” I said finally answering Jessica’s question. “No syrup?” Jessica asked before putting a piece of waffle in her mouth. I was putting my butter and jam on my waffle about to answer Jessica before Jen pipped up for me, “Every once in a while, I see him eat waffles with syrup, but when he does, he prefers to dip his bites in it rather than slathering it on the whole thing. He says it’s cleaner and keeps the waffle less soggy.” Jessica in between bites looked down at her plate, “I prefer mine drowned in the surgery goodness myself.” Breakfast did not take long to eat, my dad's waffle recipe had a way of keeping conversations to a minimum during breakfast, they were just that good. Jen got me coaxed into eating half a waffle more than my normal just one. By the time I was done, I was glad that Jen was not going to make me dinner, it was going to take all day to be able to make room for anything else in my stomach. Since Jen cooked breakfast I wanted to help clean up, I rinsed all the dishes and shoved the plates in the empty spots of the dishwasher. I also got Jessica to help me put the syrup, butter, and Jam away in the spots Jen liked them. With everything cleaned, I took the last swig of coffee before turning back towards the office to finish my work. “Not so fast sticky fingers,” Jen said catching my attention. “Please wash your hands, and then go up to brush your teeth before you go back in there,” she instructed. I rolled my eyes and simply did as she instructed, washing my hands in the kitchen sink before making my way to the stairs. I heard Jen and Jessica start talking again as I made my way up the stairs, I was also sure that I heard Jen rearranging the dishwasher as well. I pushed my way past the open baby gate and to our bedroom’s private bathroom so I could indeed brush my teeth. Soon I was back downstairs and about to walk into the office before I turned to Jen and asked, “Mommy, since breakfast is done, do you think. . .” I started to ask before my voice went soft. “Come here and let me check your diaper really quick, babe,” she instructed. I waddled over to her and felt her inspect the swollen mass around my waist. “You are rather soggy; I would like for you to poop first if you can?” Jen said in more of a questioning tone. I looked down at my tummy, I was full, and I knew I was going to need to go later but at my current moment, I did not feel the need to. “Sorry Mommy don’t think she is finished baking yet,” I told her. I also was hoping to hold off till I can finish my essay so I can turn it in and bring up my new proposition. Mommy simply kissed my forehead and asked, “How long will it take you to finish your essay?” I thought for a minute before answering, “Not that long, why? You want me to finish that real quick?” “If you don’t mind, but if you want to, I can change you now,” Jen said, explaining herself. I looked to the right slightly, thinking about the decision that Jen let me make. I did want to finish my essay and get it over with. I turned back to Jen and simply said, “I can wait till I am done.” With my grownup decision, I earned a passionate kiss on the lips, making my heart melt. “You sir, go finish your essay so we can have fun today. Ok?” Jen said with passion in her eyes. I knew what those eyes meant, I happily turned around and went to finish my punishment so I could move on. After making my way back to the desk and settling back down, I log back on to the computer and start typing away where I left off. I was down to the last bit of my essay before I felt the coffee start working its magic. I glanced up to see Jen and Jessica still sitting at the table not paying any mind to what I was doing. I tried to just go back to typing but I was just too distracted. My mind was muddled with needing to go potty and finish my assignment, I finally typed my last word to the last sentence. The last ten minutes felt like an eternity, I quickly glanced at the word count, and I was relieved to see that I made my word quota by one word. At the same time, I hit print was the same time another cramp overpowered my will as my body decided also decided to hit my biological print button. The only thing was I think the printer was done before I was. I felt so gross, how am I going to get used to this? I grabbed my papers off the printer and slowly waddled out of the office, standing just inside the kitchen. “Mommy, I am done,” I said in a hushed voice. I could not tell if I was blushing, but I felt ashamed of what happened. I watched Jen try and figure out what I was done with, “Done with your essay?” she asked inquisitively, seeing the papers in my hand, probably trying not to embarrass me. I looked down avoiding eye contact and told her in a quiet tone, “Yes, and also umm . . .” Jen magically appeared next to me, gently checking the state of my diaper, “I am so proud of you, Charlie. Good job honey,” she praised me with honey in her voice. She Gently took my essay and set it on the counter of the kitchen island, “I will read that later, you ready for a clean butt? “I can change him if you want to Jen,” Jessica said, making me look at her as soon as I heard her say it. “Are you sure?” Jen said back looking in her direction, ignoring my shock. Though I saw this coming, I just did not expect her to be changing me so soon, or this messy. Jessica just got up and gently grabbed my hand, “Sure, I want to get some practice in, it's been a while since I was on diaper duty,” she said, probably referring to an old high school job she probably had growing up. “Do you want me to get him dressed while I am at it?” Jen looked at me for some reason, “You ok with Jessica getting you ready for the day?” she asked. I just shrugged my shoulders, “I guess so, I am going to have to get used to it anyway, right?” I said with a huff. I did appreciate her asking me but seemed like she did not leave me much choice. “Baby, if you don’t want her to change you say something. I asked your opinion and if you say no, I will respect it. But yes, eventually she will be the one to change you, being your babysitter,” Jen said sympathetically. “Remember why you wrote that essay, please communicate your needs.” I looked up at Jen, and she was right, “Mommy, can you please be the one to change my diaper? Jessica can pick the clothes out if she wants to.” Jen just smiled and nodded her head, “Yes, I will change you,” she said looking at me before turning to Jessica and asking, “would you like to pick out Charlie's clothes for the day?” “I would love to,” Jessica said, “you keep them in his nursery, right?” I almost missed it when she said it but when I saw Jen’s eyes get as big as dinner plates, I realized what I had just heard Jessica say. “My what?” I asked in shock, looking up at the person holding my hand still. I watched Jessica cover her mouth as she realized I had not heard this news yet. “Oops,” was all I heard her say. I did not know who to look at, Jen seemed to be frozen like a mountain lion trying not to spook her prey, while Jessica stood there realizing her mistake. Jen slowly closed her eyes and just shook her head. “Well, cats out of the bag now,” Jen said as she picked me up. “Wait, Mommy,” I said a little too late. As I felt hoisted up in the air I clung onto Jen and felt her start walking, making her way out of the kitchen and over to the stairs, with Jessica close behind. Before we started our assent up, I closed my eyes, “Mommy please, I promise not to freak out, I don’t know what you guys are talking about. Please, I can do the stairs myself.” I felt Jen stop, I opened my eyes to see that Jen only had one foot on the steps and was sitting me down so I could walk up the stairs myself, though she did not let go of my hand. “Thank you, Mommy,” I told her with a shaky voice. “You’re welcome, sweetie,” she said softly. “Just hold on to the railing.” I did as I was told, one hand on the rail and the other in Jen’s hand that was above my head, leading me up the stairs as she walked behind me. When we made our way through the baby gate we made a right, in the opposite direction of our bedroom. I was about to push the door to the spare bedroom door that we have been using for storage before Jen stopped me and looked at me with nervous eyes. I turned to look behind me at Jessica, you could tell she felt bad and probably thought she messed up big time. “Mommy, when Jessica said nursery, what did she mean?” I asked, turning back towards Jen. “Please don’t be mad,” Jen said as she pushed the door open.