Jon & Jamie: Two for One

“All buckled, snug as a bug in a rug?” Jon asked, checking Jamie’s straps for the fifth time. He genuinely wanted to make sure his brother was unlikely to fall out, but he also liked to remind him that he had locked him into a stroller with no hopes of getting out on his own, thanks to the childproof buckle. “Jamieproof buckle.” Jon mused. “All set?”

“Yes.” Jamie muttered grumpily.

“Remember our plan, Jamie?” Jon asked.

“Can’t believe I’m doing this.”

“Oh, don’t fuss, peanut. We’ll save a lot of money thanks to the deal.” Their local fireworks had a deal that a child five or under got in free with the purchase of a ticket. Jon knew that if he put Jamie in a stroller, the tiny boy would easily pass, despite being much older than five. Jamie knew all too well that when Jon got an idea, it happened.

Just about six months ago, Jon’s parents had privately told him that since he was more responsible, had better grades, and was always doing his chores without even needing to be reminded, they’d be putting him in charge whenever they were away. They said there was no real reason to tell his brother and just let him think they had no babysitter when, in fact, Jon was his babysitter. He smiled to himself as he pushed the stroller along, plastic wheels clicking on the sidewalk. Back then, Jamie had been his older brother James, but then, one day, Jon realized something. He fed James, cleaned up after James, and had to basically force him to take regular showers. In every way, he was James’s big brother.

“Wanna go fast, Jamie?” He called. He didn’t wait for the answer, pushing the stroller forward as he moved from a walk to a brisk trot to a full-on run, racing down the block as fast as he could before slowing before they had to cross the street. He chuckled, hoping that Jamie found it as much fun as he did. This was, after all, Jamie’s first time in a stroller in what? Over a decade at least.

After Jon’s realization that he was in fact James’s big brother, things changed quickly. James became Jamie, a little boy who got bathed nightly by Jon before being tucked into bed by 7:30. He wore bibs at every meal and, following an incident where he spilled an entire glass of juice, drank exclusively from a sippy cup. Jon had even gotten Jamie to stop talking when they were watching TV by making him suck on a pacifier whenever the TV was on. In a lot of ways, Jamie seemed to accept the treatment with a minimum of fuss. When he thought about it, Jon figured it was because he was so small, he had never felt like the big brother. Whatever the reason, it had given him the idea of how to cheat the system and get into the fireworks for cheap.

“Thank you.” He said as he paid the ticket attendant, pushing the stroller past the gate and into the crowd. Thanks to a little window in the canopy of the stroller, he could see Jamie sitting there, looking around with his shaggy hair, hanging down to his neck in the back, moving with the turn of his head. Jon had just taken him to Lil Monkey Makeovers, which specialized in kids 10 and under, to get his hair cleaned up, but not shortened too much. It had taken months to grow his hair out as long as Jon wanted it, and it still amazed him how much younger Jamie looked with his new haircut. “Should've given him his pacifier.” He mused, but there was plenty of time for that.

He stopped after a short walk around the park, putting the lock on the wheels before going around to check on Jamie. He wore a light blue tank top with Spongebob on it, as well as matching blue shorts that were shorter than the boxers he had worn in his past life as James. In fact, with Jamie’s legs spread as they were, Jon could just barely catch flashes of white, the underwear that Jamie wore underneath. The red straps that held him in the stroller seemed to stick out so vibrantly, as if to announce to the world that Jamie was securely fastened in.

“Look, munchkin. Red, white, and blue. Red straps, blue clothes, tighty whities.” Jon said, pointing to each item in turn.

“We made it in, can I get out now?” Jamie asked, still a bit annoyed. Jon smiled and brushed a bit of hair out of Jamie's face.

"I'd let you out, but there's broken glass and you forgot your flip flops."

"You took them off me once you got me locked in this thing!"

"Shh, here's your pacifier. You're getting all fussy. Here, I'll even clip it to your shirt so you don't lose it." He smiled as his brother began to suckle. “Besides, those flip flops are a bit too big for your little piggies, so you would’ve kicked them off on our way here.” He chuckled. “I know my baby brother.” Jamie looked away shyly and Jon chuckled.

It had been a few weeks ago that Jon had decided that Jamie was his baby brother, not his little brother. After all, little brothers could bathe themselves and they did not wear bibs or drink from sippys. Jamie had argued and whined, but Jon had given him tummy kisses until, between squealing peals of laughter, he had admitted that he was the baby brother.

“Look on the bright side, little guy” Jon gently turned Jamie’s face toward him with a finger on his chin. “Being hairless meant that we didn’t have to shave you to get you to pass.” He lifted one of Jamie’s arms and brushed his armpit with his finger. “Smooth baby.” He leaned in and kissed the boy’s forehead. “I love my baby brother.”

“Love you too, big brother.” Jamie dutifully mumbled around the pacifier.

Jon still marvelled at how readily Jamie had taken to calling him big brother. He figured it was something as simple as Jamie never really feeling like the big brother, especially since Jon had been taller than him for the last couple years. Even becoming the baby brother did not seem to faze him that much. Just last night, he had meekly lay on the floor of the bathroom following his bath to allow Jon to rub baby powder scented lotion all over his body to help his skin become baby smooth. The blushing teen in his boxers from the first night of Jon’s new bathing regimen would have been shocked to see the little boy lying on the floor, not even trying to cover his privates as Jon lotioned him up with loving care.

One of the biggest points of resistance that came as a surprise to Jon was the name change. He had decided that Jamie made more sense for his new baby brother. There was something about it that struck him as really babyish. James grew more upset whenever he called him Jamie, but he stuck with it, ignoring James correcting him. It helped that their parents took up the habit as well and soon, the three people James talked to everyday were only calling him Jamie. When the time had come for his haircut, Jon had grinned when he heard Jamie shyly introduce himself to Ashlynn the stylist as 'Jamie' as Jon lifted him onto the rocket ship he would sit on for his appointment.

“Is baby brother hungry?” Jon asked, already walking around to push the stroller over to the concession stand. He gently pushed the stroller back and forth as they waited their turn, loving that the old stroller had the window so he could keep an eye on Jamie whenever he wanted. He could see that Jamie still had his pacifier in his mouth. Ever since it had become required for TV watching, he made a little game out of seeing how long Jamie would keep it in his mouth without even being told to. With it clipped to his tank top, there was little risk of it falling to the ground, but Jon still felt safer having it in his mouth.

As the line moved steadily forward, Jon remembered something. Fishing into the bag he had packed full of things for Jamie, he pulled out a bib for him. Bibs, after all, were required ever since Jamie had ruined his favorite t-shirt with spaghetti sauce. Normally, Jon would put the bib around his neck without even showing him, relishing the idea that Jamie did not even know what babyish thing was on his bib, but this particular bib was just too precious not to show him.

“Almost forgot. Jamie needs his bib.”

“Even here?” Jamie asked. He had gotten used to the baby treatment at home, but out in public was something else entirely. Jon smiled and nodded.

“I know you like ketchup on your hot dog, so I don’t want your t-shirt ruined.” He held up the bib. It had a Rocket Pop on it, as well as a cute slogan. “Red, white, and cute. That’s my baby brother for sure!” Jamie whimpered, but Jon put it around his neck all the same. “It’s almost our turn, kiddaroonie. We’ll get you a yummy hot dog.”

Pushing Jamie to the front of the line, he ordered himself a bacon cheeseburger and a hot dog for Jamie.

“Is there like a plastic knife so I can cut his hot dog up for him? It might be a little big for his hands.” Jon asked. The cashier nodded, smiling down at the stroller. Thinking quickly, Jon pulled back the canopy so that she could see Jamie, his bib, and his pacifier. With all those accessories and his shaggy, shiny hair, Jamie could not have looked more like a little moppet if he tried. Jon smiled as he realized there was one way. If he still had sticky fingers and a face covered in the popsicle from earlier, but Jon had cleaned him up before they left. It was amazing how much like a little boy Jamie had truly become, even in unexpected ways. “Say hi to the nice lady, Jamie.” Jamie waved and she waved back.

Having paid, Jon took their food over to a nearby picnic table, parking Jamie right next to him.

“No, you can stay in your stroller,” Jon said, noticing Jamie playing with the buckle on his chest. “You’ve got the best seat in the whole park.” He cut up the hot dog into a bunch of pieces. “This’ll be easier for your little hands, but with all this ketchup, it’ll be messy.” Jon observed. “Maybe I should get the baby wipes out before you even eat.”

“Not so loud!”

“Remember, Jamie.” Jon leaned in to whisper conspiratorially. “We’re fooling the organizers into thinking you’re under five, so you have to play the part.” Jamie looked away.

“But I’m not.” He mumbled.

“Of course not, pumpkin pants!” Jon said. “Now eat your dindin.” He handed him the paper plate with the hot dog all cut up for him. Jamie took it and began eating, wishing that he had a burger like Jon did. “Let’s see how little ketchup you can get on your face and bib, hmm?” Jon watched him eat, enjoying how little his brother looked. He felt a warmth in his chest as he lovingly gazed at his brother. He really did care about the little guy and wanted only the best for him.

Once they finished eating, Jon grabbed some wipes and began to clean Jamie up. He fussed, but that only earned him his pacifier until Jon had finished wiping his hands and his face.

“You didn’t get any ketchup on your toesies, did you?” He grabbed one of Jamie’s feet and wiped it down, grinning as Jamie squirmed in the stroller. “All clean! Baby Jamie’s all clean!” He left Jamie sitting there as he went the short distance to throw everything away. He came back and tickled under Jamie’s chin. “Are you thirsty?” He did not wait for an answer, grabbing a baby bottle of apple juice out of his bag. “Can you hold your baba all by yourself or do you need me to feed it to you?”

“I can hold it.”

“Remember your manners, Jamie.”

“But”

“With your paci in, no one will even hear, except me. I understand baby babbles.” Jamie blushed.

“May I please have my baba?”

“Of course you may.” He pulled the pacifier out of Jamie’s mouth, quickly replacing it with the bottle’s nipple. He guided Jamie’s hands to the bottle. “It’s kinda big, so hold it with both hands, okay?” He smiled and kissed Jamie’s forehead. “Let’s get your canopy back in place.”

Through the canopy’s window, he could keep an eye on Jamie’s progress as he wheeled him around the pace at a leisurely pace. He almost wished someone would question Jamie’s age. Maybe he could tell Jamie to show them how many fingers old he is. He would only be able to get one hand free, so the oldest he could be would be five, which would give Jon plenty of ammo for the next time he claimed to be big.

“In the park, you told that nice lady that you were five, remember? That must be how old you are.” He knew no one would question it. Jamie looked every bit like the baby brother he was now. There was no aspect of his life that had been unchanged.

Jamie’s underwear had been one of the last things Jon changed. He had enjoyed seeing his brother try to look big in boxers even as he learned that he was actually the baby brother. Finally, about two months ago, Jon had slipped out to buy his brother some more appropriate underwear.

Jamie sat on his bed, reading a book when Jon walked in.

“Hey, buddy.” Jon said with a smile.

“Hi, big brother.” Jamie said softly.

"Hey, Jamie, I don't know why, but mom bought you these." He tossed two packs of white briefs on his brother's bed. "Something about them being on sale or whatever, and we both know your boxers were getting pretty ratty, right?"

"Why can't you wear them?" Jon thought about replying that he had bought them for Jamie, but he had a better answer.

"Mom said they were for you since I just got new boxers last month." He grinned. "No one will know anyway. Except you and me since we share a room, and we both already know."

"I guess"

"Besides, when I asked you to fold laundry last week, what did you say? Do you remember?"

"Not really."

"You said it was hard to tell which boxers were yours and which were mine, so now it'll be easy, won't it?" Jamie blushed and looked at them.

“I guess so.”

“Perfect. Do you want to clean out your underwear drawer or should I?” Jamie shrugged.

“A big boy would clean it out himself, but maybe you’re too little.” He grinned as Jamie got up. “You can put them all in this bag, including the pair you’re wearing. We forgot to change your undies this morning, didn’t we?”

“Jon.” Jon returned to the present. Jamie only said his name when it was an emergency.

“What is it, munchkin?”

“I need to go”

“Potty?” Jamie nodded.

“You picked a good time. It’s right here.” He parked the stroller outside and lifted Jamie out of the stroller. “No shoes, silly little guy. Guess I’ll have to carry you, hmm?” Jamie wiggled. “Uh-oh! We’d better hurry! The geyser’s about to erupt!”

He carried Jamie into the bathroom and toward the urinals. The bathroom had a few people in it, including a boy a few years older than Jamie’s pretend age standing at the low urinal.

“Oh, the little boy urinal’s being used, buddy. Let’s go into the stall before you have another oopsie in your undies.” Jamie whimpered, but knew that arguing about how he had never had an accident would only earn him the pacifier. “Here’s what we’ll do.” Jon said as he took them into the largest stall. “I’ll stand right at the potty and put you down on top of my feet. I’ll hold your shoulders for balance while you go peepees, okay?” Jamie nodded. “Pants and undies down, Jamie.” He reminded him.

It was a bit awkward, but Jamie soon had done what he needed to. Jon noticed the changing table in the stall and quickly set the boy, pants and briefs still down around his ankles on it.

“I want to wipe your feet, just in case. The floor’s disgusting in here.” He explained. He teased Jamie’s lips with the pacifier until he took it. “There we go. Suck on your paci while big brother gets you all clean.” Jon started with his feet, making sure to get between each and every one of his toes, smiling as Jamie squirmed and giggled into his pacifier. “Oh, Jamie? Are you ticklish? Are you a ticklish little boy?” Jon adored that, when Jamie got into the right mood, even just saying the word tickle made him giggle like he was actually being tickled. This was one of those times. “Tickle, tickle, tickle!” Jamie got into such a giggle fit, that he felt onto his back, lying down on the changing table. “Perfect.” Jon said, adeptly buckling the safety strap across Jamie’s chest. Jamie looked up at him, perplexed.

“What are you doing?” He asked around the pacifier.

“I don’t want to miss the fireworks with another visit to the potty, so we’re going to put one of your diapers on you.”

“One of my diapers?” Jamie asked. He had not worn diapers in over a decade!

“Is there an echo in here?” Jon teased. “Yes, one of your diapers.” He pulled Jamie’s shorts and briefs off and unfolded a diaper.

“No, Jon. Stop!” Jamie whined. “I don’t need a diaper.”

“Maybe you won’t.” Jon shrugged. “But it’s better to have it on and not need it than to need it and not have it, don’t you think?”

“But, no.” Jamie whimpered. “I don’t need a diaper.”

“Shh” Jon rubbed his soft thigh. “I know, but this is just in case. I’m sure you’ll make it until we get home all nice and dry, but what if you don’t? Wouldn’t it be more embarrassing to go peepees in your big boy undies?” Jamie did not know how to respond, so Jon simply lifted his legs up and slipped the diaper under his bottom. He did not even think twice about getting Jamie’s privates into the right position before lifting the diaper up between his thighs and taping it nice and snug around his waist. “There, see? You survived being diapered.” Jon teased, loving the puffy diaper between his brother’s thighs. Part of him wished it was more exciting than just plain white, but he reasoned that it looked perfect just the way it was.

“What about my shorts?” Jamie asked as Jon packed away his briefs and shorts.

“I think you’ll be more comfy in just your shirt and diaper, kiddo.” Jon replied. “I’m not even sure if your shorts will fit anymore.” He picked Jamie up, smiling as he patted the boy’s now crinkly bottom. “Once you’re in your stroller, we can put your Spidey blankie on you, hmm?”

“But” Jamie whimpered.

“C’mon, Mr. Fussy, the stroller is right outside the door. No one cares that you have your diaper on. I bet you’re not the only one in this whole park who wears diapers.” He kissed his cheek. “And, if someone does tease you, you know what’ll happen?”

“What?”

“Big brother will beat them up.”

“Oh. Ok.” Jamie mumbled, but Jon knew he was at least a little comforted by that.

Depositing Jamie in the stroller and buckling him in, the five-point harness pressing against his diaper, Jon was in no rush to grab the blanket, all but wandering leisurely around the stroller to pull out the blanket, unfurling it as he admired the little boy before him.

“Almost a shame to cover you up.” He whispered as he draped the blanket over Jamie, tucking it in around him. “Oh, so cozy though. You could even doze off like that!” He smiled and leaned it to give the boy an Eskimo kiss. “It’s nearly your regular bedtime, isn’t it?” Jamie mumbled something he did not catch. “Alright, let’s go get a good spot for the fireworks.” He resumed pushing the stroller. It felt so good to be so firmly in control of his brother.

It did not take long for Jon to find a good spot, but he did one last lap of the park before settling down. There was something so nice about showing his brother off to passers-by. He quickly lost count of just how many moms smiled at the adorable little boy with shaggy hair, tucked into his stroller and sucking on a pacifier without a care in the world.

“Here we are.” He set up a chair and sat down beside Jamie. “Sure wish I was as cozy as you are.” He reached over and brushed Jamie’s cheek with his hand. “Is that some peach fuzz I feel?” He teased. Jamie did not answer. “Nod if you need a diaper change.” Jamie shook his head fervently. Jon laughed. “Such a big boy.”

They fell into a tranquil silence, watching people walk and run around them as the sun began to set. Jon knew that the fireworks would be coming soon, so he reached into his bag and pulled out a pair of headphones.

“I read online that little kids find fireworks loud, so”

“I don’t need those!”

“You’re not the only one who’s wearing them.” Jon said, nodding to a few toddlers nearby with headphones of their own. “It’ll be much less loud, maybe you won’t go peepees when they startle you. You could even doze off if you want.” He slipped the headphones over his head. “Can you hear me, Jamie?”

“Yeah.” Jamie did not seem to notice that he was yelling. Jon chuckled and patted his thigh.

“I think we’ll all set.” He settled in to wait for the fireworks to begin. Fireworks were not even that exciting, but having his babyfied brother here with him made it so much better.

Every now and again, Jon peeked over at Jamie, wondering if he would doze off. His eyelids did seem to be growing heavier, but he could tell that the boy was fighting to stay awake. He chuckled and, reaching over, began to move the stroller back and forth, rocking the boy to sleep. Part of him did hope that Jamie would doze off, only waking up when they got back home. Only time would tell.

“The fireworks are about to begin.” A voice said over loudspeakers.

“Jon.” Jamie whispered. At least, he thought he was whispering, but the headphones still made him talk more loudly than he thought he was. “I need to go peepees.” Jon got up and lifted Jamie out of the stroller, setting him on his lap as he sat back down.

“That’s what your diaper’s for, baby.” He said, pulling the blanket around him. “I’ll change you after.”

“But”

“Shh, the fireworks are starting.” Jon bounced Jamie on his knees as the sky filled with colors. “Aren’t they pretty? See the pretty lights?” He whispered into the boy’s ear, playing with his lovely long hair.

At some point, Jon felt Jamie stiffen and he knew that he had lost his internal struggle and just accepted that it was easier to pee his diaper.

“Good baby.” He murmured, giving him a hug. “My good baby brother.” He kissed his cheek. “I love my baby brother.”

“I love my big brother.” He replied, once again talking much more loudly than he realized.

Once the show ended, the park began to empty. Jon considered returning Jamie to his stroller, but he had promised to change him, so he set the boy down on the grass.

“What are you doing?”

“Shh, suck your paci, baby. I’m just going to give you a quick diaper change and then we can go home.”

“But, no!”

“Shh, it’s dark and no one will see. Besides, I think this’ll be better than you getting a rash. Diaper rash isn’t much fun for babies.” Jamie tried to argue, but Jon set to work untaping his diaper and he knew it was no use. He sniffled and fought back tears as Jon raised his bottom high in the air, but he realized that just staying quiet would let Jon do what he wanted to more quickly.

Sure enough, he soon found himself back in the stroller, blanket tucked around him.

“Was that so bad, baby?” Jon asked, kissing him once again. Jamie just shrugged. “Alright, let’s get you home before you fall asleep!”

When they arrived home, Jon scooped Jamie out of his stroller and carried him to their room.

“I think it’s straight to bed for my favorite baby boy.” He set Jamie down.

“But I’m still in my” Jamie yawned before he could even finish.

“Your what?” Jon asked, grinning at how downright adorable Jamie was. “Your diaper?” Jamie nodded, yawning again. “It’s so late, hours past your bedtime, kiddo! I don’t want to keep you up for even a minute to change you into your undies.” He kissed Jamie on the forehead. “Sweet baby dreams. We’ll put you in some fresh undies first thing in the morning.” With that, Jon tucked him in. By the time he reached the door to turn out the light, baby Jamie was fast asleep.