Avery's Adventure: A Daddy's Boy Short Story Read online

  Avery’s Adventure

  A Daddy’s Boy Short

  Athena Steller

  Copyright © 2020 by Athena Steller

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  Dedication - For my Steller Superstars! Thank you for the support.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Thank You

  Available Now: Lost Boy: Daddy’s Boy Book 3

  1

  Avery

  Avery clutched his new stuffie as he stared at the automatic doors of the airport. This was it. His very first vacation. His first trip with Jace, his first plane ride, the first time he was little around what appeared to be thousands of people.

  Nope, he couldn’t do it.

  He turned, running into Jace’s chest. His Daddy wrapped his strong arms around Avery’s back.

  “Baby boy?” Jace voice was soft. Gentle and coaxing.

  Still Avery buried is face in Jace’s chest and mumbled. “I wanna go home.”

  “Hey, look at me.” Jace cupped Avery’s face making Avery look up. “I don’t think you really want to go home. I think that you are scared. But you know that Daddy will be here the whole time. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Avery shook his head frantically. “Let’s just go home. Please. I’ll be a good boy.”

  “Avery.” Jace pressed a kiss to his forehead. “This isn’t a punishment. We’re going to have so much fun.”

  “But…” Avery wiggled out of Jace’s hold and waved his hand at all the people. “What if someone laughs at me? What if I forget and call you Daddy? I don’t want to be a freak.”

  “You aren’t a freak.” Uh oh. Jace had his mad Daddy’s face on. “If you call me Daddy then you call me Daddy. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You are my boy and I’m proud of that fact. And no one will laugh at you. I will be right by your side.”

  “What if I have an accident?” Avery whispered. He’d almost gone exclusively to using his diapers when he was with Jace. He loved his diapers, but he’d been too afraid to wear them to the airport. Now they had so many hours of traveling ahead of them.

  “There’s a change of clothes for you in your backpack along with Jared and Buster Brown. I’ll remind you to use the restroom though. You do just fine at school. You can do this.”

  Avery bit his lip. He wanted to go on vacation but it was just overwhelming. He needed quiet.

  “Daddy has everything under control. I have snacks and a water bottle that we will fill once we get through security. I’ve got everything you’ll need.”

  “Promise?” Avery found himself lifting his thumb to his mouth. No, damn it. He couldn’t suck his thumb in public. Or his binkie. He wanted his binkie. Jeez, adulting was hard. It was better at home where he could run around in his diaper with his binkie.

  “I promise baby boy. It’s going to be okay.”

  Avery took a deep breath. It wasn’t until Jace started to rub his lower back that he started to calm though. His Daddy was with him. That was all he needed to know. Avery didn’t have to do anything because Jace had it handled. And Jace had spent a lot of time, and probably a lot of money, putting this trip together for Avery.

  Even though Avery didn’t know exactly where they were flying off to, he knew that if he could just relax than he would love it. Jace knew him so well. Really, Jace knew Avery better than Avery knew himself.

  “I’m ready Daddy.”

  Jace beamed. The pride shining from his eyes. That above everything else was the push that Avery needed. “Put your backpack on and hold onto mine. Don’t let go of me.”

  His Daddy’s hands were full with their luggage so Avery hoped he could hang onto him. They both had backpacks that they would carry onto the plane. Avery’s was filled with his stuffies, lily, crayons, and coloring books. And the extra change of clothes. Avery didn’t know what Jace had in his, but Avery expected that it was more stuff for him. His Daddy loved him so much and always took the best care of him. Avery was one lucky boy.

  Avery wrapped his fingers around Jace’s strap while he clutched his new stuffie to his chest.

  Mitch was so smart. He’d suggested that Avery get a special traveling buddy that could go on all of Avery’s adventures with him. Avery hadn’t known what to get but Jace had taken him to the toy store where he’d wandered the aisles.

  Jace had been patient and hadn’t rushed Avery. Avery had almost given up when he’d spotted the perfect traveling buddy.

  On the very top shelf where Avery couldn’t reach was a very regal looking eagle. Eagles flew on their own. Avery knew that he needed the eagle to be his travel buddy.

  Albert the Eagle, that’s what Avery had named him, was ready for the adventure. Avery needed to be too.

  Avery clung to the strap as Jace maneuvered them through the automatic doors and into chaos. There were people everywhere! And bags. And laughter. And arguing. So much noise. His arm tugged when Jace started to move again causing Avery to stumble.

  Jace glanced behind him but Avery smiled. He could do this. He’d just been overwhelmed by the noise. And all the people!

  There was a short line where they had to check in. Too soon they were at the counter getting their boarding passes. Jace checked both suitcases before he handed over his and Avery’s IDs.

  They got their IDs back along with a small rectangle card. Jace tucked those into his wallet before grabbing Avery’s hand. That was much better. He liked holding Jace’s hand.

  “Remember what I said about going to security? You’ll show the agent your boarding pass and ID. Then you’ll get into the line to go through the detectors. You don’t have a belt on or any jewelry. I already made sure your pockets were empty. You put your backpack on the conveyer belt and take off your sandals and put them with the backpack. They’ll tell you when you can step through. Daddy will be right behind you.”

  “What if…what if they want to, like, pat me down? Or strip search me?” That could happen. Avery didn’t want to be strip searched. Avery had already asked but he needed Jace’s reassurance.

  “They might pat you down. But they are not going to strip search you. I promise.”

  “Okay.” But Avery was still worried. This is why he hadn’t worn his diaper. But Jace had talked him into wearing his favorite padded briefs with giraffes on them. He didn’t think the agents would appreciate them as much as his Daddy.

  Jace stopped and pulled him to the side. More people whizzed by in a hurry to go somewhere. Avery closed his eyes and leaned into his strong Daddy. His arms were wrapped around Albert and Jace’s arms were wrapped around him. He felt so safe that Avery could almost forget that he was surrounded by strangers.

  “I made sure we have plenty of time before the plane takes off. If you need a break you just tell me. I’ll find a quiet place for us.” He spoke quietly in Avery’s ear. “I think this will be the hardest part. Once we are inside the gates then we’ll get a drink and have some snacks. Then we can watch the planes come and go until it’s our turn.”

  “K, Daddy,” Avery murmured.

  “Such a good boy. You are being so
brave. I love you so much.”

  Avery leaned his head back to peer up at Jace. “I love you too. So much.”

  Jace gave Avery a sweet quick kiss before he released him.

  An older man passing gave them a nasty look but Avery didn’t care any longer. It wasn’t like they were making out in the middle of the airport.

  Jace retook his hand and that man didn’t matter. Only Jace mattered. Avery would probably never see these people again in his life. He just needed to keep reminding himself that. They didn’t matter. Only Jace did.

  They got in the security line and Avery watched everyone who was ahead of him. Yep, just like Jace had said. Shoes off, no electronics, no belts, and everything had to go onto the conveyer belt. He patted his backpack to reassure Jared and Buster Brown. Then gasped. He tugged at Jace’s sleeve.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Albert!” He whispered. “He doesn’t want to have his scan by himself. Can you put him in with Jared and Buster Brown? They might get scared and he can explain what’s happening.”

  “Good idea,” Jace praised. “We’ll take him out when we get to the gate.” He turned Avery around and Avery handed him Albert after giving his eagle a kiss.

  “All set.” Jace patted his back. “Okay, you are up next. Get ready.”

  He accepted his boarding pass and ID from Jace just as the agent called out. ‘Next’

  Avery stepped forward. He handed over what was in his hand. She didn’t speak to him, so Avery remained silent as well. He never knew what to say or not to say to strangers. She looked from him to his ID circled something on his boarding pass and handed it back.

  ‘Next.’ She called again and Avery figured she was done with him.

  He walked slowly in case she called him back but Jace was already handing over his papers.

  Okay, easy enough. He got in the next line where people were already taking off their shoes and belts. Avery was glad that Jace had bought him sandals so he could just slip them off.

  “See that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Jace asked.

  “No, it was alright.” Still the contraption or whatever that was in front of him was kinda scary.

  “Put your stuff up,” Jace told him.

  Avery set his shoes down and then swung his backpack onto the belt. As the belt started to move his backpack away from him Avery had the sudden urge to lunge for it. Jared, Buster, and Albert! Lily!

  “It’s okay,” Jace murmured. “You’ll be right behind them.

  Jace had to remove stuff from his backpack. Their phones, his laptop, tablet, so while Jace was busy Avery stared after his backpack.

  So much could go wrong!

  What if they machine broke and his bag was stuck inside?

  What if there was something wrong with the machine and it caught fire?

  What if-

  “Baby, they’re calling you.” Jace nudged him.

  Sure enough an agent stood waving at Avery. Avery stepped into some kind of contraption that was metal and glass. Or plexiglass? He didn’t know the difference.

  “Feet within the marking and hold your hands up like the picture,” the agent ordered.

  Avery moved into position.

  He took a deep breath.

  “All done. Please step out and stand to the left.”

  “That’s…it?” he asked.

  The older lady smiled. “That’s all.”

  Avery stood to the left where she’d pointed and another agent, male, and not smiling was looking at a computer. He nodded at Avery and Avery took that he was dismissed.

  He rushed to the end of the long table and grabbed his backpack. He hugged it to his chest before he dropped down struggling to open it.

  “What are you doing?” Jace asked from behind him.

  “Just checking on them,” Avery answered as he patted Jared, Buster Brown, and Albert. He even gave lily a quick caress.

  “Come on boy. Shoes on. We don’t want to be in other people’s way.”

  “Oh sorry.” Avery grabbed his sandals from Jace and slipped them on. He waited for Jace to put all the stuff he had to take out back into the backpack. Avery was glad Jace had to deal with all that. He swung his backpack on and peered around.

  It was still busy all around him with way too many people, but he felt much better. He could do this.

  Jace

  Jace hadn’t been surprised that Avery had freaked out when they arrived at the airport. He was shocked that Avery took to flying so well.

  Once in their seats with Avery by the window and Jace on the aisle Avery’s excitement had grown. Jace was glad he’d sprung for the first class tickets. Having a stranger in their row would not have been something Avery would have handled well. He wouldn’t have been able to relax.

  His boy hadn’t known enough to look at where they were going on the boarding pass but as soon as the pilot had announced it Avery had squealed.

  After being peppered with questions. Ones Jace had picked and chosen what he’d answer, Jace finally managed to get Avery settled down with a coloring book. Jace had pulled out his boy’s favorite apple crackers and the water bottle he’d brought along.

  It was just a normal water bottle people used at the gym, but it was bright yellow with a small sticker of a giraffe on it. No one else would see the giraffe but Avery would know it was special just for him.

  Jace had picked up an apple juice in the store next to his gate since Avery deserved all the treats he could get for this trip. He’d filled the water bottle with juice so his boy happily sipped his drink while eating his snack.

  Two hours into the flight Avery’s attention wandered away from his coloring.

  “You okay?”

  “Tired,” Avery answered with a yawn.

  Perfect Avery could nap the rest of the flight and when he woke up they’d be in San Diego.

  Jace moved the pillow and blanket from his lap where he’d been holding it after the flight attendant had given it to him. He unbuckled Avery’s safety belt and laid the pillow against the window.

  “Lean against the pillow. You can take a nap.”

  “But Daddy…” His gaze traveled down to his backpack under the seat in front of him.

  “Trust me.”

  Avery nodded. He leaned against the pillow and Jace spread the blanket over his shoulders and front. He made a cocoon for his boy then reached down and grabbed the backpack. He pulled out lily, Albert, and Avery’s favorite binkie.

  Albert went in Avery’s lap, lily in the hand by the window, and his binkie in his mouth.

  Avery peered at him with uncertainty but Jace kissed his forehead before pulling the blanket up to cover Avery’s face. Planes were always cold so he didn’t think Avery would get too hot. He’d keep an eye on his boy just in case.

  He felt more than saw Avery relax beside him.

  Pleased, Jace sat back in his own seat. Two more hours to go.

  Avery

  The hotel was huge! And it was on the beach. On. The. Beach! Avery couldn’t believe it.

  While Jace checked them in, Avery wandered to the large window that showed a big patio, three pools, sand, and the freaking beach.

  The snowcapped mountains in Colorado had been pretty. And Avery loved the sunsets against the Desert Mountains at home. But he was on the freaking beach!

  “Ready?” Jace asked walking up behind him.

  “I can’t believe you brought me to the freaking beach,” he whispered. “I never thought I’d see the ocean.”

  One arm went around his neck and he was tugged back against his Daddy. “I would take you anywhere in the world. All you have to do is tell me where and I’ll take you.” Jace chuckled. “Although we’ll have to save and plan wherever we want to go.”

  Avery turned and wrapped his arms around Jace’s lower back. “I don’t care where we go as long as I’m with you. If I never see the ocean again it’s okay.”

  “So sweet.” Jace rubbed his shoulders. “But let’s go to our room right now
. We’ll relax for a little bit.”

  “K.”

  Jace led him to the elevator.

  “Where’s our stuff?” He looked around for the suitcases that Jace had rolled in.

  “They’ll bring it up. We’ve got our backpacks for now.”

  Avery shrugged. He’d never stayed in any hotel especially not one as nice as this. Jace knew what he was doing.

  They rode the elevator up to the twenty second floor. As they stepped out Avery tried to take everything in. More large windows and the view up high was even better.

  Jace took his hand and before he knew it Jace was opening the door to their room. Although it wasn’t like any room he’d ever seen. It was a freaking suite. He ran to the glass balcony. They faced the beach!

  There was a knock on the door and their bags were there. As Jace spoke with the man Avery walked around in awe.

  He’d just made it to the bedroom when Jace walked in with their luggage.

  “Let’s go ahead and unpack. I’d like to get that out of the way so we can relax.”

  “Okay Daddy.” Avery hopped to the bed and pulled off his backpack. He opened it up and pulled out lily since his lily was right on top. He laid lily against the pillow before grabbing Jared. He checked his giraffe to make sure there was nothing wrong before he laid Jared on the pillow. Then he did the same with Buster brown and Albert.

  “They all good?” Jace asked.

  “Yes Daddy. It wasn’t as scary as they thought. They actually had fun and they took a nap too.”

  “Good.” He gave each of Avery’s stuffies a pat. Then his hand landed on Avery’s bottom. “And you were a biggy boy as well. Would you like to change and get comfortable?”

  “Plllllllease.” Not that Avery didn’t like his jeans or the bright red shirt that Jace had bought him. He just wanted his play clothes.

  “Hop up on the bed,” Jace told him.

  Avery jumped up knocking his backpack down. Jace laughed as he caught it. He took out the coloring books, the few cars, and Avery’s binkie. Avery made grabby hands for his binkie.

  Jace leaned down and gave him a kiss before he slipped the nipple of the binkie in his mouth. Everything else was placed in the drawer next to the bed.