Page 11 of Merry Little Christmas
“Hey… It’s okay. I just hadn’t expected it, that’s all. “Would you like me to change you?”
Another nod, this one with watery eyes. Twisting my finger in the ribbon attached to their shirt, I felt down until I could bring their paci to their mouth. Now wasn’t the time to stress over the wet diaper; that conversation was a tomorrow problem. I was only happy that they felt comfortable enough with me to do it. It meant that they felt safe, and that was the only thing that mattered.
Straightening, I took their hand and led them back to the nursery.
Chapter Seven
Peyton
I followedCole back to the nursery, more waddling than walking. My face was on fire, and I tried not to let the embarrassment looming in the back of my mind work its way to the surface.
I’d actuallywetmy diaper. I certainly hadn’t planned on it. I hadn’t planned to fall asleep on Cole either, but he brought that blanket down to cover me and wrapped me in his strong, secure arms, and I was out like a light—until I woke up ready to burst not long after.
Refusing to budge, I straightened my legs out to ease some of the pressure. I guess my body took that as a sign to go, and I was too out of it to stop.
I’d been fumbling for the words to tell Cole when he thankfully put the pieces together. Even through the thick, soaked padding, the feeling of his hand between my thighs brought feelings to the surface that I didn’t want to address in my current state. I should have known he’d figure it out. After all, he’d been on road trips with me before. He knew how much my squirrel-sized bladder could—or couldn’t—handle.
But when he discovered that I was wet, he didn’t hesitate. Hehanded me my soother, and took me to the nursery like it was second nature. Maybe for him, it was. I let him lift me onto the table again, lying back and suckling on my soother. My head was still all fuzzy. Through bleary eyes, I watched as he took off my pajama pants, barely registering when he asked me for my safeword.
“Green,” I murmured, amused that the pattern across the front of my diaperhadfaded. My cheeks warmed.
Cole needed no further permission than that. “Daddy” took over, and he changed me quickly. Though his brow scrunched together when he removed my wet diaper. “Is that normal?” he asked, gesturing to the redness on my thighs, that was now extra irritated. When I nodded, he picked up that soothing cream again. “Does this help?”
Another nod, spread the refreshing ointment on my thighs and fastened on a clean diaper. I only reacted when he picked up my pajama bottoms, and only to wriggle away from him.No pants.Chuckling, he tossed them aside and swept me into his arms again. “Thank you for trusting me, sweetheart.”
In his bathroom, a new Cookie Monster toothbrush materialized from beneath his counter, and Cole helped me brush my teeth. He sat me on the luxurious California King bed with silky soft sheets, giving me a kiss on the forehead. “Remember what you promised me, baby. Let me know if you need help.”
Cole left the bedroom, and I heard him fumbling around in the kitchen. I didn’t really have the energy to peel my binder off, but I didn’t want Cole to have to do it… and I didn’t want to know what happened if I disobeyed him. Not yet. As swiftly as I could, I wiggled the constricting fabric off without removing my t-shirt. After folding it up and placing it on the nightstand, I slid onto one side of the bed and tugged the blanket up to my chest.
Cole came back with a glass of water and a sippy cup, setting both next to me. I watched intently as he moved around the bedroom, plugging both our phones into chargers and makingsure mine was within reach. Only then did he crawl to the empty side of the bed. He laid on his back, and I didn’t hesitate to sidle closer and make myself right at home on his chest—unable to contain my laughter anymore. “You know that’s my side of the bed, don’t you?” Cole teased.
I only giggled harder, howling when he dug his fingers into my sides. My pacifier fell from my mouth. Squirming, I only succeeded in moving further into his death grip. Both his arms were around me now, tickling me until I gasped for air. I collapsed onto his chest and once I could breathe properly, he returned my soother. “Get some rest, little one,” he cooed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “You’ll feel better tomorrow.”
With a contented sigh, I let my eyes fall shut. With the sound of his heartbeat in my ear, I felt more confident in the fact that Iwouldfeel better this time.
When I awoke the next morning, I stretched out, only to find that I was alone in the bed. Confused, I sat up. My pacifier smacked against my chest, and I fumbled to remove it. Little Peyton had faded into the background, and I wasn’t in the right mindset for it anymore. Mouth dry, I grabbed the glass of water next to me, wishing I still had the desire to reach for the sippy cup. It was such a sweet gesture.
Sunlight strained around the edges of the blackout curtains. I wondered if any of the snow had melted but as I swung my legs to the side to get out of bed, thick padding covering my crotch jolted me back to reality: I was still wearing a diaper—dry this time, thankfully.
Heat bloomed up my cheeks, remembering that I’d actually peed in a diaper last night—involuntarily. Though it hadn’t seemed to faze Cole one bit. As I sat my water down, I noticed that my lounge suit from the night before had been folded and placed on the nightstand for me.
Slow down heart…
Cole was only taking care of me as an act of kindness, a favorfor a friend. Nothing more. I couldn’t let myself read too much into it. If he’d had feelings for me, I’d know by now, especially after I’d been sick a couple weeks ago.
Just as I was contemplating how much time I had to get dressed, the bathroom door opened and I hurried to cover my lap. Cole stepped out like a scene from a movie, steam billowing around him. Drops of water clung to the dense hair on his chest, dripping to the towel around his waist. It took him a moment to register that I was awake but once he did, I had the urge to cover myself even more.
Like he hadn’tchanged my diaperlast night.
But when his lips curled into that crooked grin, it was hard to notice the anxiety. “Good morning,” he said, gaze flickering to the nightstand. “Have I got Big Peyton today?”
“Yeah,” I answered, thankful that I didn’t have to say it myself. “Thank you for last night.”
“Don’t mention it. Bathroom’s all yours.” A pair of black sweats materialized, and Cole slipped them on beneath the towel before knocking it to the floor. I couldn’t help but notice the lack of underwear in that equation.
Before I could follow that thought too far, I snapped myself out of it. “Is there hot water left?”
“Plenty. Have at it.”
