Page 16 of Pretty Princess

Since there was no way Avery was going to stay awake once he was buckled in Jace nodded. “Bath and play. But only if you stay awake.”

“K.” Avery looked around. “Caleb! I have to go home now,” he yelled.

There was a commotion before Caleb came running down the hall from his bedroom. Caleb was still in his purple dress but it hung from one shoulder. The dogs and cats followed behind him happy to let out of the room for the night.

“No running in the house!” Grant’s voice boomed from the backyard where he was cleaning up.

Not only did Caleb slow but so did all the fur babies. Funny.

“I’m so glad you came,” Caleb grabbed Avery, hugging him tightly.

“Best Halloween ever,” Avery mumbled into Caleb’s shoulder. He was trying to hide the fact that he was yawning. Jace knew though.

“I’m going to take our stuff to the car and pull it closer. Will you stay with Avery for a minute?”

“Sure,” Caleb instantly agreed.

Jace still hurried. The sugar crash had hit his boy hard. Not only was Avery exhausted but he was also going need to be changed. He set everything in the back seat before he climbed behind the wheel.

Carefully pulling closer to the house Jace noticed the dogs doing their business as Avery and Caleb leaned against each other. Two tired but happy boys.

Grant came out of the house and walked down the steps just as Jace reached the boys.

“Say goodnight baby boy,” Jace instructed Jace as he pulled his boy close.

“Good night. Thank you so much for inviting us to your party. It was the best party I’ve ever been to.”

“Thank you for coming Avery,” Grant responded.

“Yes, thank you, Avery. It wouldn’t have been a party without you.”

Avery gave a small smile before yawning again. Okay, that was it. Time to get his boy home. Jace picked Avery up and carried him to the car.

Grant was there to open the door for him.

“Thanks, man.”

“Be careful driving home. We’ll have lunch this week.”

“Give me a call.”

Bending over he sat Avery in the seat before he buckled him in. Jace felt more than saw Grant walking away giving them privacy.

Jace crouched down. He brushed Avery’s hair off his forehead. “My boy is going to need a haircut soon.”

Avery nodded. “Can we go to that place in the mall?”

“The one next to the toy store, you mean?”

“Yes! That one.”

“If you’re a good boy for me.”

“I will be.” Avery snuggled into his seat.

Jace stood and retrieved Avery’s lily from the diaper bag. By the time he was putting it over Avery’s shoulder, his boy already had his binkie in his mouth. There was no way that Avery would make it all the way home without falling asleep.

It was cute that Avery wanted to try.

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