I'm not a puppy! (age regression)

24. Part of the Family

"So where are you both going from this?"

With the horrible lying to my older brother, my biggest supporter and basically best friend over, I was able to move onto the more positive truth.

"So now I'm officially going to become Jamie's caregiver and help ease them into the regression"
Tom who had seemed to have a permanent expression of pity throughout my explanation, was finally able to shift to a more joyous one.

I continued, barely containing the excitement I felt over it all for Jamie's sake.
"We've started the adoption process, dad's apparently going to help me with that, it's slow but that's fine cause we're taking things slowly too. Going one step at a time and making sure Jamie feels happy and safe the entire way through"

Tom was barely holding it together himself
"So... you're joining the family buddy?"
Jamie stiffly nodded, being a bit unerved by the sappiness of it all.

Tom clapped his hand back over his mouth and started to tear up. I noticed, it almost triggering me to start myself, but I didn't as I saw Jamie looking very confused. They asked, speaking for the first time.
"Why are you crying?"

Tom laughed and wiped his eyes
"Cause I'm gonna be an uncle"
I couldn't help but snigger
"You're already an uncle"
"Yeah but Frankie's kids suck- Sorry I'm not supposed to say that"

The thick tension in the room was sliced right through as we all started to laugh. Tom looked right at Jamie and spoke sincerely
"You're definitely my favourite nibbling"
Jamie's face scrunched up in confusion again .
"What the hell is a nibbling?"

Tom groaned
"It's what Google promised me was a gender neutral neice or nephew. Sorry if you'd rather be called something else"
Jamie was quick to clarify
"Nono, its funny. I like it"

My earlier hypothesis was correct, getting the conversation over with was incredible. And the effect on Jamie, profound. They already sounded far more like themself

"And either way-"
I intervened the cute interaction to quickly inform Tom and remind Jamie(so they didn't feel forced into anything)
"I'm only Jamie's guardian legally speaking, they decide who's family"
Jamie smiled at me, returning the many hand squeezes id given with a slight one of their own.

Tom brushed my kind words off with flair.
"Ah, you're still my nibbling"
Jamie covered their mouth to stop from giggling
"And you know~"
Tom drew out dramatically, Jamie leaning forward in anticipation.
"Nibblings get presents!"

Tom threw the large paper bag down onto the table, sliding it over to Jamie while moving chairs to sit next to jam.

Jamie cautiously reached into the bag and made a perplexed face at what they felt while Tom assured.
"The lady in the store told me he's the best one"

Out of the bag, Jamie lifted a rather large stuffed version of police dog from Paw Patrol. I immediately worried Tom had gone a bit too far over the boundry with the gift choice as Jamie stared nose to nose at the large teddy.

Clearly though it was the right choice as Jamie's face broke into a smile and they started bouncing in their seat
"It's chase! It's chase!"

Jamie used both hands, shaking the dog back and forth. Before turning back to tom and a stuttering
"Th- thank you"
Quite embarrassed at their own excitement, Jamie hid their face in dog as Tom held back laughter.

I put my arm around Jamie and gave them a half hug, leaning in and whispering.
"I take it you're happy we got it over with?"
"Uh huh"
Jamie murmured.

I straightened up my back.
"Now, I think we're all deserving of some ice cream too, huh jam?"
Jamie looked up at me and nodded eagerly.

Tom stood up, asking jam.
"You gonna bring your new partner there?"
Jamie blushed and shook their head, explaining.
"M' gonna put him upstairs... I need shoes too"