Page 49 of Hiding From Laughter

“All done.” His dramatic slump wasaccompanied by a sigh and adorable frown. Even getting his binkie back didn’thelp the situation. “We’re going to plan another trip to the zoo so we can pickup more.”

Big or little, he’d love the zoo and itwould be a fun day trip for us.

His enthusiastic head bob and the way hegrabbed a few more of the bubbly-shaped plastic animals to hoard said heapproved.

“We can do a picnic or eat dino nuggets atthat restaurant in the back.” He’d probably always wanted to do that but he’dnever asked so I hadn’t pushed.

I should’ve pushed.

That was my biggest takeaway from all ofour recent discoveries.

His eyes went wide and he started suckingfaster on his binkie. Surprise was written all over his face and I was prettysure I understood the reason.

“Anyone can eat nuggets. I might have toget two orders, though.” I looked down at myself and frowned. “I don’t thinkone will fill me up. I might need a large order of tater tots and a slushytoo.”

And then a snack later.

They weren’t labeled as kids’ meals butthey also weren’t built for guys like me. Ashton realized that right off thebat too based on how he giggled around his binkie. “But there are lots ofgoodies to fill us up, right?”

And since I’d already promised him severalof his favorites, his head bobbed excitedly and he did a happy wiggle.

“I think we’ve got a good plan then.”Leaning over the side of the tub, I kissed his cheek. “We’re going to havefun.”

Fun that would, hopefully, lead us to agood conversation.

Eventually.

With the way Ashton liked to bury his headin the sand and avoid issues that made him uncomfortable, I wasn’t sure howlong that would take. But I’d learned it was okay to push, so I was going toremember that and not let his nervousness affect me.

I was a good caretaker and I was going toremember that.

Even if it made both of us squirm.

But for the time being, it seemed like hethought we had everything worked out because he scooped up bubbles and moretoys and shoved a pile of both at me.

Sharing was important, huh?

“Do good boys share?” I almost laughed whenhe nodded. “I thought so. You’re very good.”

And I was going to have to start makingnotes about everything I’d promised him.

Chocolates and bathtub toys had been justthe tip of the iceberg, so my first new rule as his Daddy was to start writingbribes down.

“You’ve shared and ate your dinner andcolored and used your diaper.” Mentioning that one had him scrunching up hisface but he nodded after a moment. “That made you a very good boy.”

Making sure he understood all of thoseactivities put him in thegood boycategory seemed important. Ashton hadhad plenty of time to hide from what he was curious about, so it was time tohelp him get used to talking about them.

Or at least hearing me talk about them.

“My good boy.” Kissing his cheek put me inrange of being bubbled and I ended up covered in them. “Hey.”

The ones on my head started sliding downmaking me feel like Santa with oversized sideburns. When they ended up trailingdown my shirt, I groaned and got more giggles from Ashton. “I’m glad you’rehaving fun.”

Stripping off my damp shirt got moregiggles from him and was probably a strategic error on my part because I endedup with bubbles on my chest too.

“I’m not sure I needed decorations.” My dryresponse had him snorting around his binkie and his shoulders shook withlaughter. “Oh, it’s funny, huh?”

Reaching into the tub, I braced him withone arm and tickled him with my other hand. “I’ll show you funny.”

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