Done Adulting Vol. 1 Ch. 141 (Final chapter)

Several months later…

Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for the arrival day gift! Everyone says PEGOS are the same as LEGOS, but they’re NOT. I can tell because they don’t have the same name. That’s just science. I’ll send you a picture of what I build first.

Can you believe I’ve been here a year? Everybody just left my arrival day anniversary party an hour ago. Know what I was doing exactly one year ago? Sobbing on Amanda’s chest. I didn’t think I’d ever come this far.

I got the best present today: a puppy! A very small one, perfect for my size. He’ll still be able to fit in my crib when he grows up. Mom said it was for Manda and me both. Manda’s wanted one since forever and isn’t done being miffed Mom got one when I said I wanted one and not when Manda said it the first million times. LOL.

It’s kinda super nice to have a puppy but not be the one who has to train it! I said I was gonna teach it to steal Manda’s shoes, and Manda said she’d make us both go to time out in the corner. So I guess now I have to make sure he never takes her shoes. Oops! I’ve been spending enough time in the corner since school got out and I’m not at daycare. Mom says Manda was the same way for the first few weeks of summer when she was little. She says it’s natural and never gets mad at me, but I can never talk her out of corner time either.

Me and Ella had a sleepover last night, and we slept in a tent in the yard. She pretended to be afraid, and I held her extra tight. We told Stacy and Mom we’re a couple. That was a few weeks ago. I think Stacy understands but Mom just said, “That’s adorable,” and hugged us both, so I guess that won’t ever change, which is probably for the best. LOL again.

Manda is trying to convince Mom to let Stacy bring Ella over here every day for the summer since we’re home anyway; she told Mom it would give me something to do and make me too tired to misbehave! Mom didn’t get it. Mom said maybe she could come over three days a week and is gonna talk to Stacy about it.

Ella is doing really good too. She can’t play tag at the park yet, but sometimes she comes and watches. She cheers me on, and she oohs and awws over how I help Rosie play. I told her I’d help her play when she’s ready. She says she might never be, but I really hope she will be some day. I went with her to PT right before school got out to cheer her on.

After everyone left tonight, Manda gave me a bath. She took a picture of me with cake all over my face. It wasn’t even my fault! Mel was the one who fed it to me. Manda said she’s sending you the picture whether I like it or not. No fair!

After bath time, she put me in a new diaper I like a lot. It has bears on it! Then we snuggled while she read me a story about a fox and a chicken who become friends. We’re most of the way done with it, and she says I’m really gonna like the next book she picked out. She’s gonna sleep in Mommy’s bed tonight so I get to sleep with both of them. It’s my favorite way to wake up. I think she’s playing with the puppy now. Mom says the three of us together is the most adorable thing she’s ever seen and that she wished she’d gotten a puppy years ago. Manda gave her the dirtiest look. I just stayed quiet.

Anyway, like I always say, I didn’t want the day to end, but I know tomorrow will be even better. Mom’s probably going to be in soon for my bedtime milk, so I’m gonna finish this letter for now. I’ll write again soon. For now, goodnight. It’s always just goodnight.

Your loving little,

Jamie.

P.S., my bear says hello.

Jamie folded the letter and put it in the envelope, dutifully leaving it open because he knew Manda and Mom were serious about sending her the pictures. He’d put it in the mailbox tomorrow on the way to the library. It was his day to read again, and he looked forward to seeing Jenny. He hadn’t seen her since school got out.

“Did you have a good arrival day, Baby Bear,” Becky asked from the doorway. Jamie smiled his biggest smile and stood up to walk over to her.

“It was the best, Mommy. Thank you for everything.”

“You’re very welcome. How does it feel to be one in little years,” she asked as she picked him up and laid him against her chest.

“Like I got a lot of time to have a very good life.”

“You do,” she whispered. “And I’m so glad you’re here to share it with us.”

Hesitantly, Jamie asked, “Mommy, did I ever say thank you?”

“For what, baby?” She sat down in the rocker and unbuttoned the silk pajama top she was wearing.

“For picking me. And helping me.”

“You thank me every day,” she said with the emotion welling up in her throat, “just by being my Baby Bear.”

“Thank you for picking me, Mommy. I love you so much,” Jamie said and sniffled, letting one tear leave a long trail down his cheek. She shifted him so he was cradled in her arms and they could see each other.

“I love you, too, Jamie. So, so much,” she said through gentle tears.

“Don’t cry, Mommy.”

“I’ll stop if you stop.” She leaned over and gave him a long kiss on his head. “You smell so good tonight, Baby Bear. I love your smell. Do you want PJs tonight?”

“I’ll be warm enough between you and Manda.”

“Ready?”

“Mhmm.” Jamie closed his eyes and nuzzled into her and found her nipple, and he began to nurse. Becky tickled his naked back with her fingernails, up and down, from his neck to the top of his diaper, and then down his thighs and back up again, and Jamie writhed and stretched under the soft sensation and then sighed, went limp, and Becky knew he’d be asleep within a minute.

When he was done nursing, she would change him, sprinkle a little scented powder on his chest, and lay him in her bed. Manda would be up when she got the puppy settled, though Becky knew she’d probably be up and down with it all night, and when Jamie woke up a year and a day after he’d first awoken in the home the three of them had made together, it would be snuggled in between them, safe, happy, and loved.

As she did every night as Jamie drifted off to another night’s rest, she sang the same lullaby, the one she’d learned just for him.

Sleep my child and peace attend thee,

All through the night

Guardian angels God will send thee,

All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping

Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,

I my loving vigil keeping

All through the night.

While the moon her watch is keeping

All through the night

While the weary world is sleeping

All through the night

O'er thy spirit gently stealing

Visions of delight revealing

Breathes a pure and holy feeling

All through the night.

Love, to thee my thoughts are turning

All through the night

All for thee my heart is yearning,

All through the night.

Though sad fate our lives may sever

Parting will not last forever,

There's a hope that leaves me never,

All through the night.

_____________________

Thank you for sharing Jamie's journey with me. His journey will continue in Volume 2 right away.