Page 32 of Baby Boy

Avery didn’t tell him no. Didn’t tell him anything.

Jace appeared concerned as he walked over to the backpack and pulled it off the hook. He started to unzip the main compartment.

“Little zipper,” Avery whispered. “At the top.”

Jace nodded then moved to the correct pocket. It seemed to take forever but in reality, was just seconds as he opened the zipper and appeared inside. “Ah,” Jace said as he gently pulled out Avery’s lily. “You want your blanket?”

“Lily,” he murmured.

Jace hung his backpack again before he walked over to Avery and knelt. “This is a very soft lily.” He rubbed the end of the blanket against Avery’s cheek. “Perfect for such a good boy.”

Avery jerked his gaze to Jace’s. He saw understanding and… pride?

“The blue even matches your eyes,” Jace told him as he held the lily out to him.

“Thanks.” He quickly grabbed it and tucked it under his chin.

“Such a sweet boy,” Jace admired. Then he picked Avery back up.

With a heavy sigh, Avery let himself be hugged. He even closed his eyes to soak up the caring he felt.

Avery was carried into the kitchen and to the table. Avery plopped down then tucked his lily under one leg and Jared on the table in front of him. He waited and watched as Jace crossed the room. He began to swing his legs in excitement as Jace went directly to the drawer that held the coloring books and crayons.

“How about you finish your picture from last night?” Jace suggested.

“Yes, please.” Avery accepted the book and quickly found the page he’d already started. He was reaching for the crayons when Avery put a different sippy cup in front of him from the one last night. This one was green with turtles on it. Avery picked it up and laughed. So cute.

“Relax and color while I make breakfast.”

Taking a sip, he moaned when he tasted chocolate milk. There’d been very few times he’d gotten chocolate milk. He took another bigger drink.

“Slow down, baby. Only one cup of chocolate milk a day. After that’s gone, it’s on to water for a while.”

Avery set his cup down. “Juice?”

“Water,” Jace repeated.

Avery wrinkled his nose in distaste.

“That won’t work on me. You’ll drink some water today like a good boy. But I promise it’ll be good and you’ll enjoy it.”

Fine, Avery would drink his water. Maybe he could talk Daddy into some juice later. He would work on it. But for now, he had a picture to finish.

He felt a little worn-out by the conversation they’d had but he also felt lighter. Avery liked knowing what was expected of him. That he could be little whenever he wanted was amazing. Maybe Jace would get tired of him but maybe not. Besides, if Jace was going to get tired of him eventually anyway, then maybe Avery needed to store up all his little memories as he could.

It would be terrible if Jace didn’t want him any longer. Now that he’d had a small taste, Avery wanted so much more.

§ § §

JACE

Jace found himself humming as he put the finishing touches to breakfast. The previous night had gone well but that morning had been perfect. When he’d walked in the nursery to find Avery sound asleep with his thumb in his mouth, Jace had just stood there and stared at his boy. There was no question that Avery was the boy for him.

Their talk opened up even more possibilities. Jace had wanted to ease Avery into the lifestyle but he should have realized that Avery was an all-in boy. And he needed to know what was expected of him. He was proud of Avery for bringing up his concerns.

After months of waiting, watching, and planning, he was finally gaining Avery’s trust. He was going to make damn sure that Avery knew he was not alone and that Jace was in his corner. Whatever his boy wanted to do or not do, Jace would support him.

“Clean up, please,” Jace called out as he removed the last pancake from the griddle.

---