As the evening settled in, the sky outside turning a deep shade of blue, Jake found himself cradled in Emily's arms, being carried toward the bathroom. He was exhausted, emotionally drained from the events of the day, and too small to fight back effectively. The humiliating highchair experience, followed by the sight of the crib, had left him feeling more helpless than ever.
"Time to get you ready for bed, Jakey," Emily said in that same gentle tone she had been using all day, as if this were all perfectly normal.
Jake squirmed a little, trying to muster the energy to protest. "Emily, I don't need help with my bedtime. I'm not a baby!"
But his words lacked conviction, and even as he said them, he knew they would fall on deaf ears.
Emily carried him into the bathroom and set him down on the cool tile floor. The room was brightly lit, the soft hum of the overhead fan the only sound besides Jake's shallow breathing. She began filling the bathtub with warm water, adding a generous squirt of bubble bath that quickly filled the room with the scent of lavender.
Jake watched in silence as the bubbles multiplied, creating a frothy layer on the water's surface. Part of him wanted to resist, to insist he could take care of himself, but the other part of him was just too tired to fight anymore. Maybe if he went along with it, she would get bored of this game sooner.
Once the tub was ready, Emily gently undressed him, her movements careful and precise, as if she were handling a delicate doll. Jake bit his lip, trying to hold back the tears of frustration that threatened to spill over. He hated how small and powerless he felt in her hands.
"Okay, Jakey, into the tub," Emily said cheerfully, lifting him up and placing him in the warm water. The bubbles enveloped him, their soft texture almost comforting against his skin.
Jake sat there quietly, watching as Emily knelt beside the tub and picked up a washcloth. She dipped it into the water, then gently began to wash him, her touch soft and soothing. Despite his anger and embarrassment, Jake couldn't help but relax a little. The warm water and the calming scent of lavender had a way of easing his tension, even if just for a moment.
"There we go, nice and clean," Emily said with a smile as she finished washing him. She gently rinsed the soap off his body, then reached for a towel hanging nearby.
She wrapped him in the fluffy towel, drying him off with care before lifting him out of the tub. Jake shivered slightly as the cool air hit his damp skin, but Emily was quick to wrap him up snugly, holding him close as she carried him back to the guest room.
Jake's heart sank as he saw the crib set up in the corner of the room, its pink bedding and soft toys making it look all too real. It wasn't just a prop—Emily truly intended to put him in it.
But before that, there was one more humiliating step.
Emily set him down on the changing mat she had laid out on the bed. Jake winced as he felt the soft padding beneath him, a stark reminder of how far he had been reduced. He stared up at the ceiling, trying to block out the feeling of vulnerability as Emily opened a drawer and pulled out a fresh Hello Kitty pull-up.
"Lift your legs, Jakey," she instructed, her voice patient and kind.
Jake hesitated, but then, with a sigh of defeat, he did as he was told. He lifted his legs slightly, allowing Emily to slide the pull-up onto him. The snug fit made him feel small and helpless, but he didn't resist. There was no point anymore.
Next, Emily pulled out a pink footed sleeper from the drawer. The sight of it made Jake's stomach churn—it was designed for a toddler, complete with a zipper that ran up the back, ensuring he couldn't take it off on his own.
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"Let's get you nice and cozy," Emily said, unzipping the sleeper and helping him step into it.
Jake stood there, his arms limp at his sides as Emily pulled the soft, fleece fabric up over his body. The sleeper fit snugly, its warmth almost comforting, but the knowledge that he was trapped in it made him feel more humiliated than ever. Emily zipped it up the back, making sure it was secure, then patted his head gently.
"You look so cute, Jakey," she said, her voice full of affection. "All ready for bed."
But Emily wasn't done yet. She reached into the crib and pulled out a small pink pacifier. Jake's eyes widened as he realized what she was about to do.
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"No, Emily, please!" Jake begged, his voice shaky. "I don't need a pacifier! I'm not a baby!"
But Emily just smiled softly, holding the pacifier out to him. "It's okay, Jakey. It'll help you sleep. Just try it for me, okay?"
Jake wanted to refuse, to throw the pacifier across the room and prove that he wasn't the helpless little child she was treating him as. But the look in Emily's eyes—the gentle, almost maternal gaze—made him hesitate. He was too tired to fight anymore, too overwhelmed by everything that had happened.
With trembling hands, Jake took the pacifier from her and reluctantly placed it in his mouth. The soft rubber teat felt strange, but oddly comforting as he began to suck on it instinctively. He hated how easily he had given in, but the warmth of the sleeper and the soothing motion of the pacifier lulled him into a state of quiet resignation.
"Good boy," Emily cooed, lifting him up and carrying him over to the crib. She gently lowered him onto the soft mattress, tucking a pink blanket around him and placing a stuffed animal by his side.
Jake lay there, staring up at the mobile hanging above the crib. The soft, pastel-colored animals slowly rotated, their gentle motion almost hypnotic. He felt his eyelids grow heavy, the warmth of the crib and the soothing rhythm of the pacifier pulling him into a drowsy state.
Emily leaned over the crib, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Sweet dreams, Jakey," she whispered, kissing him gently on the cheek. "I'll be right here if you need anything."
She turned off the light, leaving the room bathed in the soft glow of a nightlight. The gentle hum of the crib's mobile was the only sound in the room as she quietly closed the door behind her.
As Jake lay there, the reality of his situation slowly sinking in, he felt a tear slip down his cheek. He was trapped in a 5-year-old's body, dressed like a toddler, and tucked into a crib, all while sucking on a pacifier. The enormity of it all made his chest tighten with a mix of fear and sadness.
But as he drifted off to sleep, the warmth of the sleeper and the soothing motion of the pacifier brought him a small measure of comfort. For now, he was safe, cared for, and, despite everything, too tired to resist.
Tomorrow, he would find a way to convince Emily to change him back. But for tonight, all he could do was close his eyes and hope that this was all just a bad dream.
