Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Jace
Jace had woken Avery up early so they’d have plenty of time before the big surprise. Avery had been bathed, dressed, and was now lying on the big bed watching cartoons and playing.
Instead of taking Avery down to the restaurant in the hotel, Jace ordered room service. Eating in the room would give Avery more time out of the public eye. There would be enough crowds that they’d have to deal with for the day.
Jace wanted Avery to enjoy the vacation but he wished there were more private areas where his boy could be out in public while little.
He’d seen a brochure in the hotel lobby the day before about a private resort that sounded amazing.
It was from the same company that ran their hotel but the language in the brochure led Jace to believe that there would be more open-minded people at the resort.
Jace would do research once he got home and maybe ask Caleb for his advice. It would be an expensive but amazing trip for his boy.
Avery popped his binkie out of his mouth when a knock sounded on the door.
“It’s our breakfast,” Jace told him. “Stay here and I’ll call you in when it’s ready.”
“K.” He popped his binkie back in his mouth and went back to playing.
Shaking his head, Jace walked out of the bedroom into the main part of the suite.
He opened the door and allowed the cart to be brought in.
This hotel had been recommended by Caleb.
Caleb had done a modeling job on the beach years before and had stayed there.
It was nicer than any place Jace had stayed before.
Jace had initially paid for a single room with a king-sized bed. He’d been shocked at check-in to learn that Caleb had called and upgraded their room into a suite and paid the difference. Jace hadn’t told Avery yet but they needed to get Caleb a great big thank-you gift.
Caleb was such a kind-hearted boy and Jace was glad that Avery and Caleb had clicked and become friends. Avery needed people in his life that would support and love him. Caleb didn’t need to buy them things though. He just did it to make Avery’s first vacation better.
Jace would find something to show Caleb how much they appreciated his gift.
He signed the receipt, adding a big tip, and saw the attendant out. Now they could have a nice calm breakfast. He removed the lid over the dishes and smiled. He had a better plate for his boy.
Going into the kitchen, Jace went straight to the cabinet where he’d placed some of Avery’s special dishes. He grabbed the giraffe divided plate and sippy cup. He quickly moved Avery’s food over to the plate and cut it up before he poured the fresh-squeezed orange juice into a sippy cup.
“Avery! Come eat, boy!”
“Coming, Daddy!”
“No running!”
Avery laughed as he walked into the main room. “You always know.”
“I know my boy,” Jace agreed. He pulled a chair out for Avery. “Come eat. We need to be leaving soon.”
“I might be able to eat faster if you told me where we were going,” Avery said as he hopped over.
“I don’t want you to eat fast,” Jace corrected him. “I want you to eat normally so you don’t get an upset tummy.”
“Oh.” Avery stuck out his bottom lip.
It was adorable when Avery tried pouting to get his way. The boy just hadn’t mastered it yet. “You can’t get sneaky with me, boy.”
Avery shrugged as he plopped down. “It was worth a shot.”
“It was. All I will say about our plans today is it is something that I think you will like.”
“That doesn’t tell me anything,” Avery complained.
Jace laughed. That was absolutely the point and the entire reason for the trip. Jace loved taking Avery to the beach and letting him play in the natural sandbox but today’s surprise would be something that his little one would never forget.
“Daddy! You brought my plate!” Avery’s joy at noticing the plate covered Jace in pure bliss. In the time that they’d been together it was often the small things that Jace did for his boy that seemed to matter the most.
“Of course I did.” Jace would never forget something as important as Avery’s dishes.
“And waffles! With strawberries and whip cream.”
“It’s your favorite.” And their adventure for the day was just getting started.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
As they ate together, sitting across at the tiny hotel table Avery tried to guess where they were headed for the day. Jace loved some of the more outlandish ideas. Although he was a little nervous that Avery would predict their destination by accident.
Luckily Avery hadn’t seemed to put together why Jace would pick that city out of all the places they could have gone for their first vacation. Once Avery realized, there was no doubt it would seem obvious. When they were both done, Avery was bouncing in his seat and Jace was almost as antsy.
“Is it time?” Avery asked sweetly, pushing his palms together like he was going to beg if Jace said no.
“Yes, boy. Let’s go to the bathroom and grab our bags.”
“K.” Avery raced out of the room.
Jace didn’t even bother to yell at him not to run.
His boy was too excited. Jace picked up Avery’s special dishes and washed them in the sink before he placed them back in the cabinet.
He put the hotel dishes back on the tray before leaving it outside the door.
Once the area was picked up, he strolled into the bathroom.
Avery was just flushing the toilet and turned to smile at him. “I just have to wash my hands, Daddy.”
“And your face. You have strawberry sauce on your chin.”
Avery turned the water on, laughing. “It was really good.”
“I can tell by how fast you ate them.” Plus Avery was excited for their trip. He’d been going in and out of being little and big all morning. Jace figured it would get worse once they reached their destination.
He’d also bet by the end of the day Avery would be more little than he’d ever been in public.
It was something that Jace was prepared for.
He honestly didn’t care what other people thought but he wouldn’t allow anyone to make his boy feel ashamed.
They’d worked hard to get to this peaceful place in their Daddy and little dynamic.
Jace picked up a washcloth to wipe Avery’s face since his boy was merely playing in the water. Little Avery often got distracted, which was both good and bad. Avery could make a game out of anything yet he’d also forget when they had a schedule to keep.
“Okay, that’s enough. You’ll get water everywhere.” Jace got his boy scrubbed down until he was sure the stickiness wouldn’t follow them on their adventure.
Avery was still wriggling around as Jace led him to the door.
Jace held Avery’s hand tight down the elevator and out of the hotel to the parking garage.
His boy was still mesmerized with everything around him, ohhing and ahhing the entire time.
They made it all the way to their rental car before Avery began to worry.
“Daddy, I don’t have any of my stuff.”
“I know, boy. You won’t need it though. I have my backpack and it has everything you’ll need.
” This had been the hardest decision for the day.
Whether or not Avery needed to bring his favorite little items. In the end, Jace had been too worried about something happening to Avery’s precious stuff when they were away from the car.
“But—” Avery whispered.
“Albert, Jared, and Buster Brown would have had to stay in the hot car. They’ll be much more comfortable in the big bed.” Jace had his speech all prepared. He hoped that this didn’t ruin the start of their day.
Avery nodded. “But I usually at least have my lily hidden in my backpack.”
“I know, boy. I need you to trust me. It’ll be okay.” Jace squeezed Avery’s hand. “We can do this. I promise it will be better this way.”
Avery took a deep breath. “Okay.”
Jace opened the car door and got Avery settled into the passenger seat. He pulled the seatbelt over Avery before leaning down to place a kiss on his temple. Jace was proud of his boy and would always take the time to tell him. “Don’t let this ruin your day. You’ll have fun.”
“I know, Daddy. I trust you.” Avery gave him a big smile.
Such a sweet boy. Jace closed him into the car before hurrying to the driver’s side.
He slid behind the wheel as Avery clutched his knees with his fingers, trying to remain calm.
They’d been working on techniques that Avery could use when his little side wasn’t the best option.
Jace loved Avery to pieces as he tried so hard to please Jace.
Jace was going to buy Avery the best reward. He was also certain that Avery would relax once they got on the road.
Or not.
An hour into the drive, they were both frustrated. Jace had heard about the California traffic and had given them plenty of time for the freeway. Actually driving through this ridiculous traffic was a different story.
He slammed his hand on the horn as another person cut him off. It was Avery who reached over and laid his palm on Jace’s knee in an attempt to calm Jace.
“Sorry, boy,” Jace said. “I didn’t expect this.” Of course they were hitting weekday traffic when everyone else in the city was trying to get to work.
“It’s okay, Daddy. Do we have to be at this place at a certain time?”
“No. I just wanted you to have a full day there.” Well, that day and the next. He had purchased two day passes as all his research showed that one day wasn’t enough.
“It’s still early. I’m sure it will be fine.” Avery’s voice was strong and encouraging.
Jace huffed. Avery was right. He was getting upset for no reason. Plus Avery would love every minute once they arrived. Jace covered Avery’s hand with his own. “Thank you, boy. You’re right.”
Avery turned his hand and threaded his fingers through Jace’s. “I’m just glad I’m not driving. These people are crazy.”
Jace laughed. Yeah, he could agree with that statement. Avery didn’t like to drive anyway yet it was something that Jace tried to encourage. When Avery was comfortable doing a task, it kept the constant nerves at bay.