“I can tell by fast you ate them.” Plus Avery was excited for their trip. He’d been going in and out of being little and big all morning. Jace figured it would get worse once they reached their destination.
He bet by the end of the day Avery would be more little than he’d ever been in public. It was something that Jace was prepared for. He honestly didn’t care what other people thought but he wouldn’t allow anyone to make his boy feel ashamed.
Jace picked up a washcloth to wipe Avery’s face as his boy was merely playing in the water.
“Okay, that’s enough. You’ll get water everywhere.”
He was still wriggling around as Jace led him to the door. They made it all the way to their rental car before Avery began to worry.
“Daddy, I don’t have any of my stuff.”
“I know boy. You won’t need it though. I have my backpack and it has everything you will need.”
“But-“ Avery whispered.
“Albert, Jared, and Buster Brown would have had to stay in the hot car. They’ll be much more comfortable in the big bed.
Avery nodded. “But I usually at least have my lily hidden in my backpack.”
“I know boy. I need you to trust me. It’ll be okay.”
Avery took a deep breath. “Okay.”
Jace opened the car door and got Avery settled. He got the seatbelt over him before leaning down to place a kiss on his temple. “Don’t let this ruin your day. You’ll have fun.”
“I know Daddy. I trust you.”
Such a sweet boy. Jace closed him into the car before hurrying to the driver side. He slid behind the wheel. Avery was trying to remain calm. He was taking deep breathes and holding his knees.
He’d relax once they got on the road.
Or not.
An hour into the drive they were both frustrated. Jace had heard about the California traffic and had given them plenty of time for the freeway. Actually driving through this ridiculous traffic was a different story.
It was Avery who reached over and laid his palm on Jace’s knee in an attempt to calm Jace.
“Sorry boy,” Jace said. “I didn’t expect this.” Of course they were hitting weekday traffic when everyone else in the city was trying to get to work.
“It’s okay Daddy. Do we have to be at this place at a certain time?”
“No. I just wanted you to have a full day there.” Well that day and the next. He had two day passes.
“It’s still early. I’m sure it will be fine.”
Jace huffed. Avery was right. He was getting upset for no reason. Plus Avery would love every minute once they arrived. Jace covered Avery’s hand with his own. “Thank you boy. You are right.”
Avery turned his hand and threaded his fingers through Jace’s. “I’m just glad I’m not driving. These people are crazy.”
Jace laughed. Yeah, he could agree with that statement.
There was a break in traffic and he was able to finally make some headway. Still it took a good twenty more minutes before they pulled off the freeway. Soon Avery would know exactly where they were going. Luckily Avery had been focused on the traffic and not the signs along the freeway.
“Do me a favor and close your eyes,” Jace requested.
Avery frowned. “But I want to see where-“
“I promise that you’ll know soon. I’ve been working on this surprise for a long time.”
Avery huffed but he did close his eyes.
Jace grinned as the turned down the road that would lead them to the front gates of the San Diego Zoo. Avery was going to lose his mind.
Jace had worked for over a year to set up the nursery. When Avery had spotted Jared, his stuff giraffe sitting on the bed the first night, Jace knew they had a connection. Avery loved watching the zoo and aquarium shows on tv. They’d recorded very episode and Avery had watched them multiple times.
When Jace began to research zoos to take his boy to, the reviews and articles, kept returning him to San Diego. Jace had a grand plan to someday take Jace to every zoo in the country. A pipe dream probably. He’d never be able to afford it but he would try.
“Can I open my eyes yet?” Avery asked. He was wiggling in his seat and Jace knew it had to be hard for his boy to not peek.
“Almost,” Jace told him.
“But Daddy-“
Jace chuckled. “I know.” Avery was so damn cute but Jace had a plan.
Following the road and the many signs that teased all they were going to see the front gates finally came into view. Jace pulled over to the side so if anyone else pulled up they wouldn’t be in the way of any other vehicles.
“Are we there?” Avery’s voice was high with excitement.
“Just about,” Jace said. He pulled out his phone and found the video. He wanted to remember this moment. “Take a deep breath.” Jace pressed play. “Count to five then open your eyes.”
Avery sucked in a long breath before he blew it out. He’d stopped wiggling as well. “One, two, three, four…” Avery took another deep breath. “Five.”
He opened his eyes and blinked. Then blinked again.
“Jace,” Avery whispered.
“Yes boy?”
“Jace.”
Growing concerned Jace began to lower his phone.
“It’s the zoo,” Avery said quietly.
“It is.”
“We’re at the freaking zoo!” Avery shouted. He tried to jump across the console but his seatbelt held him in place. “Daddy! Daddy!” Avery fought to unbuckle his seatbelt.
That was the excitement he wanted to see. He stopped his phone and reached out to calm his boy.
“That seatbelt needs to stay on until we park.”
“We have to see the giraffes,” Avery exclaimed. “And the monkeys, and lions, and penguins, and… and…”
“We’re going to see them all,” Jace promised. “We have two whole days to spend here.”
Avery finally managed to tear his gaze from the gates up ahead. “Two days?”
Jace nodded.
Avery looked back to the gates. He was smiling wide but he also sniffled. Shit! Jace undid his seatbelt and reached over for his boy’s hand. “What is it?”
“You brought me all
