more done and then it would be enough, and time got away from me and then you were home, and I
was out of time. I didn’t mean to, Daddy.”
“I know you didn’t, baby, but that means you don’t get treats before dinner.” I smoothed out the
diaper under him and he dropped his hips. I swear I could see the tension easing from his body as his
skin met the cotton padding. His gaze drifted to the nightstand. It was rare that he regressed this far so
quickly. I grabbed his paci and popped it into his mouth.
As I finished changing him into his unicorn jammies, I rambled about what I had planned for the
night. It was time for him to finally let go, to giveallof his worries to me. Instead of helping Sammy
slide off the bed once he was dressed for the night, I scooped him into my arms. As I turned off the
light, I said, “You know, I think you’re right. The bed is much too high for my baby boy. Maybe I’ll
have to get a rail for your side, so I don’t have to worry about you falling out and hurting yourself
while we’re sleeping.”
“But it’s your bed, Daddy, and Daddies don’t need rails.” Sammy had been incredibly reluctant to
too much of his gear taking over my bedroom.
“And that’s whyyouwill have a rail on your side of the bed, but I won’t.” I lifted him higher and
he hooked his ankles behind my back. Going down the stairs while carrying him was tricky, but we’d
eventually get the hang of it. “The other option is we can buy a crib for the nursery and you can sleep
in there.”
Sammy scrunched up his nose and shook his head. “That’s an icky idea, Daddy. What happens if I
wake up in the night and need you? Then you’ll have to get out of the big warm bed and come to my
room. I don’t wanna sleep there, except maybe for naptimes.”
Interesting. He objected to sleeping apart but made no mention of the crib. I’d definitely be calling
a local contact who created custom furniture for the lifestyle. My boy’s nursery was getting an
overhaul as soon as possible. Knowing he wasn’t opposed to regressing a bit deeper made me feel
hopeful about how tonight would go.
I helped Sammy get settled onto the couch. He grimaced and gave me a quizzical look when I
barricaded him in the corner with throw pillows around him. “Can’t have my baby getting hurt before
his big party, can I? Stay here and I’ll be right back with your drink.”
“Juice?” He bounced on the cushion, smiling up at me. I rubbed my chin like I was trying to
decide if he should get juice or water with his dinner. After all, he loved his apple juice, but he’d
