Page 68 of Baby Boy

“Hold on tight,” Jace commanded. He rushed him up the stairs to the master bath. He yanked down Avery’s sweats and got him sitting on the toilet just in time.

Jace crouched down as Avery started to cry. “What is it, baby boy?”

“Oh my God!” Avery wailed in a hoarse voice. “Go away! You can’t see me like this.”

“It’s okay.” Jace pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. Avery obviously didn’t remember Jace already taking him to the bathroom. “This is nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s natural.”

“It’s gross!” Avery whined.

Jace rose and patted his shoulder. “I think you’ll survive. And how would a cool bath sound?” He needed to get Avery’s temperature down.

Avery had his hands covering his face, but he did nod.

“Good boy,” Jace praised. He started the water in the tub. He needed it to be cool but not cold. Not too warm either. Then he found the lavender bubble bath and poured a capful in. That would help sooth his boy.

Avery had begun to shift on the toilet, so Jace hurried over.

“Let me help,” Jace ordered.

“Oh my God,” Avery complained. Jace ignored him though and went about getting him clean, then flushed the toilet before helping Avery stand. As unsteady as Avery was, Jace helped him all the way to the tub.

“Step carefully,” he advised. He held tight to Avery’s arm until his boy was sinking into the water.

Avery groaned and let his head lie back.

“Stay awake,” Jace said. He didn’t want his boy slipping under the water.

“K,” Avery muttered. He did slide down farther, though.

Normally Jace would get Avery’s clothes ready at this point but he wasn’t about to leave Avery alone for a minute. Jace took the cup he used to rinse his mouth when brushing his teeth and filled it halfway with water. It wasn’t what he would prefer but he didn’t want to go to the kitchen for even a moment. He shook out two ibuprofens from the bottle on the counter before returning to Avery. He knelt by the tub and ran his hand over Avery’s shoulder. Avery blinked at him.

“How you doing, baby boy?” Jace asked.

“I think better,” Avery said. “The water feels nice.”

“Good. Can you take these for me? I want to make sure we get your fever down and they’ll help with the way your body aches.”

“K.” Avery opened his mouth, allowing Jace to set the tablets on his tongue. Jace held the cup until Avery had enough liquid to swallow the pills.

“Good job.” Jace picked up a washcloth and added some liquid soap. He took his time washing Avery, making certain that his boy would feel clean when he got out. By that time Avery was shivering, and Jace was pleased that his temperature seemed to be down. He pulled the plug from the drain before helping Avery stand.

With water droplets sliding down his legs, Avery watched him with big eyes. Jace grabbed the towel and started to dry Avery off. Avery watched him the whole time with a little smile on his face.

“That feel good?” Jace asked.

“Perfect,” Avery whispered. “The best Daddy ever.”

Jace laughed. He had a feeling that this weekend was going to break down the last barriers between the two of them. He hated that Avery was so sick, but he wouldn’t have a choice in letting Jace care for him. And Jace was going to spoil his boy.

“Let’s get you dressed and something to drink,” Jace stated.

“My throat hurts,” Avery told him.

“It sounds like it,” Jace commented. He picked Avery up, not wanting Avery to expend his remaining energy. Jace carried him into the nursery and set him on the changing table. Avery immediately leaned back.

Jace grabbed the giraffe pacifier and gave it to Avery before looking at the shelf above them. He wanted to put a diaper on his boy. “You trust your Daddy?”

Avery nodded as he sucked on his binkie.

---