Blossoming into Babyhood – Chapter 5 (Commission)

Thanks to an anonymous patron for commissioning this latest chapter in an ongoing saga!

***

Dink-donk. Dink-donk. Dink-donk.

Zane eased his foot off the accelerator, steering the smartly gleaming SUV toward the off-ramp and coasting toward the red light in the distance. The pale winter light shone around them, the frosty landscape and yellow grass along the roadside swaying gently in the wind. Off to one side loomed the giant brown sign with the face of a red panda staring mildly back at the world – and above it, the bubbly white letters spelling out "Winchester Zoo."

"Ooh, look, baby! See that? We're almost there!"

At the sound of Adam's enthusiastic voice from the back seat, he glanced briefly into the rear view mirror. There Lily was, excitedly leaning over her boyfriend's lap to stare out the window at the giant sign. A soft smile stole across Zane's face, and as he accelerated once more and steered toward the massive parking lot already coming into view, he broke silence. "Almost there, folks! Better make sure you've got everything you need, okay? Coats, gloves? Water?"

They did – eventually. At least, by the time they'd parked and begun to extricate themselves from the interior, both Lily and Adam had donned their winter gear. She pranced a bit in place in the cold, looking small and adorable in her pale pink coat and purple beanie, a large pastel backpack bouncing with every step. Beside her, Adam stood serene and tall, looking every bit the part of the sensible dad on a day trip with the kiddo. In one hand he held the water bottle, and the other reached out to tug Lily gently out of the way of a slowly approaching vehicle.

"Here, baby. Stay back here." And then, almost inaudibly, with a quick downward bend and a stealthy pat of her jeans-clad bum: "Still dry, right?"

Zane hid a smile as he reached into the vehicle and tucked his phone into the warm depths of his wool coat. Ah, Lily. She and Adam were quite the duo these days, weren't they? Of course he wasn't going to remark on anything right here. But from the very moment the young woman had blushingly slid into that familiar back seat, he'd known full well that she had something rather thicker than panties tucked under those jeans of hers.

"She's been having… well, more and more accidents," Adam had told him more than a week ago. He'd dropped by Zane's office to return a scarf accidentally left behind during his last visit. "Of course she's really quite embarrassed about it. But since you already know everything, and since you've been so discreet and supportive, I don't think there's any harm in keeping you in the loop. Besides, you're practically family…"

And then he'd explained Lily's unfortunate and ever-increasing number of accidents: how she'd been so terrified of wetting her panties that she'd wearing her pull-ups all through the day – even at work. How she was waking up wet practically every morning. How, yes, the thicker, night-weight pink diapers Zane had recommended had in fact been incredibly helpful… not to mention necessary. And how he hadn't entirely ruled out Zane's suggestion that maybe Lily did need to step it down to part-time work to manage her stress levels…

Given all that, Zane now reflected, it was honestly a bit of a surprise that the bulge in Lily's pants wasn't thicker. But if she really though that a pull-up was all she'd need today, well… who was he to say otherwise?

"Come on – let's get going!", he smiled, pretending not to notice the little blush on Lily's cheeks or the paternal pat Adam had just given his girlfriend's bum. "I hear that the timed tickets for the red pandas sell out pretty quickly." He motioned toward the giant entrance and the long line of chattering people already extending out the door. "Here, I'll go ahead and get in line for us awhile. If anyone needs to take a potty break or get a drink or anything, now's the time…"

At that, off those two trotted – on their first, but by no means last – bathroom break of the day. Leaving Zane to smile indulgently after them, thinking just what an adorable pair the two of them made.

***

It was a lovely morning for a zoo trip, really. Despite the holiday weekend crowds, in the end Zane managed to get a trio of tickets not only to the red pandas at 11:30, but also the sea lion show at 3. How Lily's face lit up at the sight of those tickets! How she hopped along excitedly, half-dragging Adam by the hand to the glass or fence of each exhibit, pointing and grinning with all the delighted abandon of a little kid.

"Ooh, look at that one! See? He's swimming right up to the glass!" "Oh my god – there's a baby! Aww, look how cute it is!!!" "Can you get a picture? Please?! It's just so tiny!!"

And all the while, Zane followed sedately along behind, finding nothing quite so enjoyable as watching her and Adam reveling in the experience together. Perhaps someone else in his position might have felt like a third wheel, especially given his past history with Adam. But somehow, he felt less like an ex crashing a couple's date and more like some benevolent uncle, taking his brother and his bubbly little niece out for a special treat.

And that… well, that was fine by him.

In all sincerity, he didn't begrudge Adam this new relationship one bit. He and Adam had simply been in two different places when they'd made the decision to separate. Sure, he'd been ready to settle down and start a family – while Adam simply hadn't been. That was okay. That was life. Looking back now, he was simply glad that they'd parted ways, painful as it had been at the time. Far better to keep the memory of their love unspoiled. Far, far better to separate amicably and continue growing in their own ways rather than to try to force something to work.

Though… hmm. It really was curious how this guy – who had been so opposed to the idea of a kid – was so clearly thriving with Lily, wasn't it? She was such a sweet, beautiful young woman – and yet so adorably able to play the part of a cute, dependent little girl. From Zane's trained, psychological point of view, it was clear that although she might have been entirely capable of being a strong and independent person, in order to truly thrive and find happiness, she did need something like the care, support, and structure Adam so evidently provided her.

Hence the accidents?, he mused tolerantly. Perhaps they really were nothing more than a simple, endearing, stress-induced manifestation of a deeper psychological need. A need that Adam, whether he was aware of it or not, was clearly more than capable to filling.

As to how well he was filling it, anyone could see. It was on display for the entire world here today: in Adam's calmly enthusiastic responses, for instance. In the way he serenely held Lily's hand through it all. And yes, even in the way he interrupted their tour three whole times by gently stating, rather than asking, that it was time for Lily to take "a quick potty break."

The third of these breaks had come at lunchtime, after they'd gotten in line for the cafeteria and settled on what everyone wanted to eat. Zane had remained in line and taken care of the order – again, like the kindly uncle of the group. And yes: here it must be said that he paused… gazed up at the menu… and then, with a slight smile, ordered an extra-large pink lemonade.

Because he happened to know it was Lily's favorite drink.

***

"This is really a nice place, isn't it?" Adam was leaning back now on the indoor bench, reveling in the artificial Australian warmth alongside his friend. "I'm so glad you suggested checking it out!" He grinned and gestured in the direction of Lily, who was even now hopping softly up and down with her rapt face pressed close to the glass of the koala exhibit. She'd trotted off there a few minutes before – but not before asking Adam, with all the innocent candor of a little kid, if she could go. "She's really enjoying it here – and I mean, I am too…"

"I'm glad you both are," Zane agreed simply, and flashed a mild smile over at his former partner. "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but seeing Lily so excited here is… well, it's delightful. She's just so cute, isn't she? So youthful. So full of energy." He chuckled and shook his head in wry amusement. "Reminds me how I'm actually not as young as I used to be. Maybe we could all use a bit more of her little-kid enthusiasm, don't you think?"

Adam grinned and nodded, but grew more serious as Zane continued. "Honestly, I do think you're a perfect partner for her, Adam. Of course you don't need to meet my approval or anything. But I've just been so impressed with how well you meet her needs." He paused, then went on in a thoughtful tone. "You've been so supportive of her and so loving through… well, everything. I mean, a lot of folks would have become fed up, or even left, when their partner starts dealing with… You know. Accidents, and everything."

He chuckled in sudden, quiet amusement. "Look, I know you didn't want to have kids – but I gotta say. You're doing a heck of a great job with Lily!"

Adam broke into laughter at Zane's joking tone. "Now, now – promise I won't tell Lily you said that!" He shrugged then and gestured once more in Lily's direction. "No, really, thanks. I mean that honestly. It's just that… well, I love her, y'know? Taking care of her just helps me feel… needed, I guess. And in control." He gave a soft chuckle again and flashed a wry glance at Zane. "Though I guess we both know how much you and I both like being in control, do we? Or are you not as dominant as you used to be?"

Oh, wasn't he? Zane opened his mouth to rejoin, his memory swirling with recollections of their past. Of the naked Adam wrestling with him in the sultry warmth of a summer's night. Of lusty moans, and spurting cocks, and the heady flow of power and control between the two former lovers…

But before he could do more than give a sheepish, half-sentimental grin, here came Lily: trotting eagerly up with excitement wreathed all over her face. "You wanna come see them, Adam? Please? They're just so heckin' cute!"

"Of course I do, baby!" Adam beamed – but as he rose, he gestured in the direction of the bathroom sign barely visible in the distance. "But actually, I think it's time we took a potty break first, okay? I'm gonna go, anyway. Why don't you come along?"

"Umm… actually…" Lily seemed suddenly wary as she drew herself up to full height and shifted in place before the two men's gaze. "No, I- I don't have to. I- I'll just wait here…" Her eyes flicked up from the floor, over to Zane's calm expression, and then shyly away once more – almost as if she was embarrassed.

"Oh, really? Are you sure?" Adam cocked his head in mild surprise. But upon seeing Lily nod, he merely shrugged – and gestured her kindly toward the seat he'd just vacated. "Here, why don't you take a rest here next to Zane? I won't be gone long, promise!"

And so it was that Zane found Lily settling awkwardly onto the bench beside him: an expression of shy nervousness on her face. And yes… even as she shifted into place, Zane's perceptive ear could still hear the soft, barely audible rustle of the pull-ups beneath her rear.

Well, now. This was going to be an interesting couple of minutes.

(To be continued!)