(Finished) Ava -- (Author) FreezMilo

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Author: FreezMilo
Timestamp: Jun 23, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Content: As much as she tried, Ava couldn't stop darting her eyes from one point to another across the beach. The joyful screams of children, the indistinct chatter of adults beneath nearby umbrellas, and the hypnotic sound of the water gently lapping against the shore were making her uncomfortable.

She clenched the end of the yellow, lightweight dress her mom had told her to wear before leaving the house, and bit her lower lip. Had anyone seen her? As she walked beside her, she could feel the curious gazes of passersby. Damn, she shouldn’t have agreed to put it on before leaving!

Mom was helping Tommy apply sunscreen. Her little brother turned his back to let her spread it on, laughing with delight as he squirmed from the ticklish sensation.

Ava felt a slight pang of envy watching them. After all, Tommy was seven and needed different attention than she did. I wonder if Mom would have put it on me if I had asked her, she thought.

She glanced toward the other lounge chair. Michelle was also having sunscreen applied with Dad's help: she was doing her arms while he worked on her legs. Like her, her little sister wore a pink swimsuit with floral patterns around the shoulders, neck, and legs. It was cute and colorful, like a rainbow in a clear sky.

"Are you not putting on sunscreen, sweetheart?" Mom asked, peering at her from behind Tommy. She joked, "If you thought you could sneak into the water without it, you’re sorely mistaken!"

Ava smiled and shook her head sincerely. Unintentionally, her eyes fell on the skirt of her dress. She let out a frustrated sigh. The dress wasn’t doing as great a job as she’d hoped. It was way too obvious!

“I-I don’t feel like going in the water right now,” she stammered, tugging at the dress but with no success. “I-I just... prefer staying here in the shade.”

“But we’re at the beach!” Tommy exclaimed, his excitement contagious. “We’re here to have fun, not to sit still!”

Ava nodded again. He was right. Under normal circumstances, she would have slathered on sunscreen and jumped straight into the water, not caring who was looking. But right now, with this thing on...

Her mother met her gaze, sending her a loving smile. “At least I’ve got someone keeping me company.”

Great! Once they were done, Dad would take Tommy and Michelle swimming, and she’d have to stay there with Mom. Sweat was beginning its path through her hair, trickling down her face in the dim light. She would probably be asked to show it to her like she had when she was little, learning to use the potty. How embarrassing!

Suddenly, a sharp clap made her jump. Dad looked at her and her siblings, then at Mom. “Who wants to go swimming?”

Tommy and Michelle chirped eagerly, like little chicks waiting for their mother to feed them.

“Alright,” he said, heading toward the sound of the waves, “last one in is a sea cucumber!” He dashed off with Tommy and Michelle squawking behind him.

Ava watched the scene helplessly, crumpling the dress in her fists with all her energy, blushing. She wanted to cool off and have fun with her dad, Tommy, and Michelle. She let out a puff of air; this was so unfair.

Her mom sat beside her. “I know that look,” she started, gently massaging her back in slow, rhythmic movements. “I owe you an explanation and an apology.”

That serious voice, with a sweet tone. Ava could have listened to it forever, if she had the chance. She bit her lip and let her words erase her pout.

“You’re probably wondering why I asked you that question before we came here,” she said, looking at her, her gaze moving over her freckled face. “Your dad and I want you to feel good about yourself, at all times. Taking the first steps isn’t easy, especially with that under your clothes.”

Ava lifted her head to look at her and sighed. “I-I’m afraid that I could...”

“You could have an accident?”

Her cheeks turned bright red, eyes lowered. “Mom...”

“Sweetheart,” she continued firmly, “that’s what diapers are for. Even if you don’t have problems with incontinence, like Tommy does with wetting the bed.”

“But I... I’m 13,” Ava admitted, as if confessing something shameful. “I shouldn’t be wearing it, and I shouldn’t have said yes when we were at home. What if someone sees it? They’ll be laughing, saying, ‘Hey, that girl still wets herself!’”

There was a brief moment of silence. Tears were pushing to fall, and her heart refused to stop racing. She could already imagine the mocking, cruel laughter of everyone on the beach. Even the fish would join in if they could.

“Do you know why you wanted me to put it on you?” her mom asked, still holding that gentle tone. “You wanted me to take care of you, and to clean up your bottom too!”

Ava burst out laughing with her. The noise and chatter of the passersby seemed to fade away entirely. She felt her mood lift, so she gave her a sincere smile.

Her mom went on, never taking her eyes off her: “This is the face I want to see: happy and sunny. Remember, we love you just as you are, even if you’re wearing a diaper. With or without, you’ll always be my sweet Ava.” She opened her arms wide, looking like an eagle with its wings spread.

Ava studied her mother’s loving, expectant face for an answer. Tears tumbled down her hot cheeks. She opened her mouth uncertainly, leaning forward and resting her head on her belly. She wrapped her arms around her with all the love she had inside her.

“And what if I don’t like it anymore?” she whispered. “What if I want to go back to being a big girl?”

“As long as you tell us, we’ll take it off you,” her mom said gently, lifting her chin to meet her gaze. “You don’t always have to wear it. Think of it as... a special occasion outfit.”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “Is this a special occasion?”

“In a way, it is,” her mom chuckled. “If we ever go out and you want to wear it under your clothes, you’ll have to be ready for what comes with it. Do you remember the little backpack I asked you to pack? It’s your diaper bag, although there are some for Tommy and Michelle too.”

Ava’s dark eyes flicked to the purple backpack at the foot of the umbrella. She gasped, shocked at the mention of their names. She clearly remembered putting in three diapers her size, but were there really others for Tommy and Michelle? Why had Mom thought to put them in without telling anyone?

She whispered, “You mean they...”

“They probably want to follow in your footsteps,” her mom replied, confident in her reasoning. “You’re their big sister, after all. That’s why, before we go home, the three of you will stop by the bathroom, where we’ll talk about this. I want all of you to feel good about yourselves, starting with you.”

Ava lowered her eyes to her yellow dress. She still wasn’t used to the tightness around her waist and the occasional plastic rustles as she walked. Up until now, she had felt calm and was happy to have it on.

“Did you pee?” her mom asked softly, her tone filled with affection.

Ava looked up, embarrassed, her face red as a tomato. Now there were those questions that could come up in the most awkward situations!

Before she could respond, her mom grabbed the backpack and nodded her head toward the exit. “We should move to a more private place, don’t you think?”

Ava could only nod. After all, her mom was right. The prying, curious stares of the passersby were starting to get on her nerves, so she took her hand and let her lead her to a more suitable place to talk.

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Author: FreezMilo
Timestamp: Jun 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Content: The only source of light was a small rectangular window positioned high above the changing table attached to the wall. In that gloomy environment, the rancid and disgusting stench of the toilet filled both her and her mother's nostrils.

Ava brought her hands up to her nose. She spotted the white porcelain chair a little further away and was taken aback to find that it was as clear and sparkling as a block of marble. Where the stench was coming from remained a mystery.

A metallic click echoed behind her, followed by a hesitant rustling that caught her attention. Her mother had pulled down the long, yellowed white board and planted the two side legs on the ground to make it stable.

She dropped her backpack on the floor, ran a hand over her forehead, and ordered her wearily, “Come on, Ava! I don't want you to get a rash.”

“Really, Mom,” she stammered pleadingly. “I don't need to be changed.”

“I want to make sure that's really the case,” she replied, a little irritated. “A quick check and then you're free to do whatever you want.”

“Do I have to go there?” she protested in a childish voice.

Her mother rolled her eyes at the decrepit ceiling of the room, approached her, and led her over. “Until we find diapers with wetness indicators, I'll have to check you this way. Besides, I've already seen you without clothes. So you have nothing to hide or feel embarrassed about. I'm like that too, in case you've forgotten.”

Ava wanted to be anywhere else but there. She swallowed hard, her mouth full of saliva. The sooner she checked her, the sooner they would get out of that smelly closet. She sighed painfully: “All right!”

“It'll only take two seconds, I promise!” Her mother helped her onto the white changing table, faded and yellowed.

As soon as her padded bottom touched the cold, knurled surface, a small cloud of dust violently crept into their noses.

“Since when do changing tables in public bathrooms have countless grains of dust?” Ava sneezed and wiped her nose with her wrist. “Don't they always have to be clean and sanitized?”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother move to her left. It seemed to her like she was catching a glimpse of a cartoon in the middle of a thousand pages flipped through in a few seconds. That smile on her face was enough to chase away her tantrum from a few minutes ago.

Ava grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it up, trying to cover the white patch that was showing at the bottom. She was breathing nervously and her heart was pounding in her throat. Please. Please let it be quick!

Her mother placed her hands behind her head and one on her stomach. Maintaining a sort of concentration and instilling calm in her, she gently pushed her until she was lying down on the table. She asked her curiously, “How is it?”

“Um... hard,” she replied honestly.

“Oh.” Her mother positioned herself in front of her, facing her legs, which were half-hidden by her yellow dress. “You'll have to grit your teeth, sweetheart. Just for today, this is where you'll be changed.”

“I prefer my bed,” she admitted, pulling the dress toward her, now exposing the milky white diaper. “It's so soft there!”

Her mother stifled a laugh, looking away and covering her mouth politely with her hand. Then she proceeded to tear off the diaper's adhesive strips.

Ava could feel her heart beating steadily. Loud thumps, nervous breathing, and teeth clenched between her lips. Hearing that sharp, clean sound made her even more anxious.

“It won't take long,” she told herself, “not long.”

A light breeze brushed her private parts as her mother lifted the front of the diaper. The beating grew louder, to the point that she thought she had gone deaf.

Thirteen years old.

Thirteen years old, and her mother was checking her private parts to make sure she hadn't wet her diaper. If she told anyone about it, they would laugh in her face and tease her for years to come.

She felt her thighs lift off the ground; a second later, her legs, along with her bare feet, were above her head, forming a V. A rustling sound followed. The soft, warm feeling had given way to the solid, cold feel of the changing table. What was her mother doing?

She had pulled the diaper out from under her bottom. Ava tried to ask for an explanation, but stopped herself. Her legs and feet disappeared from her field of vision, and her ears picked up familiar sound waves: sounds and noises similar to paper with sweet plastic notes.

“Could you sit down for a second, sweetie?” her mother ordered, bent over the backpack next to her. “I need you to help me choose the right swimsuit.”

“Could you sit down for a second, honey?” her mother ordered, bent over the backpacks next to her. “I need you to help me choose the right costume.”

Question marks suddenly popped up in her mind. Were there swimsuits in the diaper bag? Was that where she had hidden the dry diaper she had been wearing just a few moments ago? Would she go into the water with or without the diaper?

“Swimsuit?” she asked uncertainly, but driven by a morbid desire to know. “What kind of swimsuit?”

“Before I joined you at the umbrella,” she began as she rummaged through her bag, “I stopped by the store down the street. I had forgotten to pick up sunscreen for your sister, so I took the opportunity to pop in. After finding it, I went looking for the cash register. That's when I came across this.”

She pulled out a pack of diapers, very different from the ones she had at home. On the front was written “Pampers Splashers,” followed by a photo of a smiling one- or two-year-old girl sitting on a beach towel. She raised an eyebrow in confusion: those diapers were too small for her.

“Mom, I don't want to upset you, but...” Ava stopped talking, afraid. “Well... I don't know if you noticed... Those diapers are too small for me.”

Her face suddenly darkened. She slowly turned the plastic bag in her hands, scrutinizing it as if she were seeing it for the first time. Ava felt laughter rising in her, so she covered her mouth with both hands to hold it back. It was rare for her mom to make such a blunder!

Or so she thought.

Her mother put on a provocative smile. She turned the package over once more and pointed to the bottom right corner with her index finger. She tapped it three times to get the point across.

Extra Extra Large, 27 kg to 57 kg. Ages 8 to 15.

It can't be... Those diapers are the right size for me too!

“The sales assistant told me that Pampers doesn't normally sell these sizes,” explained her mother. “The reason they have them is that many parents who live around here have children with special needs. Do you know what that means?”

Ava lowered her hands, her expression unchanged. “Do they always wear diapers?”

Her mother nodded. “That's right. When I asked if they had your size, he asked me some questions about you: how old you are, how much you weigh, and how often you have accidents.” She sighed. “I told a few lies and got them.”

Her cheeks flushed with shame. In the mind of this stranger, who knew nothing about her as she knew nothing about him, she was a little girl the size of a preteen. She looked down, still naked underneath.

“Am I a little girl?” Her voice sounded dying, agonized. “Tell me I'm not, Mom. Please!” Her eyes were shining, tears ready to fall.

He made a decisive move toward her. His smooth, soft hands accompanied her as she crossed her sad face with her mother's reassuring and loving one. No matter how hard she was trying to be a thirteen-year-old, inside she was a younger child.

“You are and always will be my little girl, Ava.” Her mother replied firmly, but not too firmly. Her thumb wiped away a tear that was running down her face. "I know you're big, but sometimes you need to feel little. It's a defense mechanism that shouldn't be underestimated. It means you need to take a few steps back before you grow up.

“You are entering the most delicate phase of your life, and it is my job to be by your side. There will be days when everything will be hard and ugly, others when it will be easy and beautiful. Diapers or not, you will always be my little chick.”

She kissed her on the forehead and felt her love fill her soul. She was number one, her hero.

He slipped the diaper between her feet and pulled it up to her knees. Ava jumped off the changing table and let her mom finish putting it on. It was soft and silky, similar to the diaper she had been wearing a few minutes earlier.

“How is it?” she asked curiously.

“It's perfect!” Ava's eyes sparkled with happiness. “Thank you, Mom.”

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Author: FreezMilo
Timestamp: Jun 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Content: Ava and Michelle let themselves collapse heavily onto the sunbeds, shielded from the scorching rays of the sun. Between one breath and the next, they exchanged a tired look; they didn't need to speak to understand that they were both exhausted.

"Damn," Michelle said, sitting up. "Mom and Dad weren't joking when they said they were strong as bulls."

Ava found the strength to stand up and grab two colorful towels hanging on the thin white poles of the umbrella. She threw one over her sunbed, quickly unfolded the second, and wrapped it around her sister exactly as their parents had done.

"They sure are," she ruffled Michelle's hair with one hand, then took a towel and massaged it over her head. "I have to admit, I was scared when it was just me against both of them. I can't even imagine how full my diaper is."

Michelle shuddered a little, still trembling from the cold. She blushed and whispered, "Are you really wearing one right now?"

Ava nodded as if it were no big deal, glad that she had it on and that her mom had put it on for her. "Mom thought it would be better if I wore it. In the end, she was right: I had fun without worrying about needing to go to the bathroom."

Michelle made a face of envy. "I want one too!"

Ava widened her eyes in surprise, reacting automatically. "What do you want?"

Her little sister turned her head towards her. "I want to wear a diaper under my swimsuit too."

A tender smile escaped from Ava. "Why don't you ask Mom for one? I'm sure she won’t say no."

Once again, Michelle looked stunned. Her big dark eyes scanned her face, searching for the detail that would confirm the truth of her words.

Ava kept her smile, her eyes tired but calm, her attitude sincere and, in a way, motherly. Did she really think she was joking? The one with a diaper full of pee hidden under her swimsuit?

Michelle’s face faded, looking troubled. "Maybe it’s better not to. You know how Mom is."

She let out a frustrated huff. Ava sat next to her, put a hand on her sister’s shoulder, and looked into her sad, conflicted face.

"How do you know unless you try?" she asked gently.

"I know, but..."

"But what?"

"I'm scared... I'm scared she’ll treat me like a little kid," the girl admitted, then bit her lip.

"She’ll never do that," Ava replied confidently. "Mom just wants us to feel good and be happy. Look at me, for example; she caught me secretly buying diapers, I confessed everything, and she let me wear them whenever I want or feel the need."

"Is that why you went to the bathroom before coming to us?" Michelle asked, puzzled, her forehead still dotted with salty water droplets. "Because you felt the need?"

Ava shook her head slightly. Her sister’s confused state was the same as when Mom caught her in her room taking off that diaper. Doubts hammered in her head, the feeling of fear tightening around her until it almost suffocated her, and the desire for it to have never happened. How had Mom helped her?

She reflected. In her mind, avalanches of thoughts and insecurities lay abandoned at her feet. A surge of anger coursed through her veins. Michelle needed her and had no idea how to help her!

She took a long breath. Time seemed to slow down, and the weight of the chaos disappeared entirely. Yes, now she knew how to get her out of that whirlwind of uncertainty!

"Yes," she spoke cautiously, "I needed it. It might seem strange, but I didn’t know I needed it. These things, the diapers, are helping me understand a lot of things: I'm a shy girl; sometimes I'm grumpy because that's just who I am; I get emotional easily because I'm sensitive. But most of all: I want to be a role model for you and Tommy."

Michelle smiled fondly. "A role model?"

"Do you remember what Mom said this morning?" she asked. "Our family is like an open sea full of lighthouses and boats. We are the lighthouses that guide our boats to their destination. Every lighthouse is important, just like every boat. We're all role models for everyone."

She hugged her. "If one lighthouse isn’t working properly, we all need to rush to make it work. Yesterday, my lighthouse stopped working, and Mom and Dad fixed it. How? With diapers. Now my lighthouse is working great. Do you understand? We help each other, and we can't do without each other. We're a team, and if one of us loses, we all lose."

Michelle returned the hug with a big smile. "I don't want us to lose."

"Then let’s work hard and help each other," Ava gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Diaper or not, you'll always be my tough little sister."

"I love you too, big sis." Michelle returned the gesture, but more slowly and affectionately. "Would you help me... ask her?"

Ava grinned wide, emptying her bladder once more. She would sail through the most dangerous seas just to see her light shining in the sky.

---

The rhythmic hum of the car had never stopped drilling into her ears since they left. Ava squeezed her eyelids three times before opening them fully and leaving the world of dreams behind. She felt more tired than before, worse than a factory worker after a long shift.

She stretched her exhausted arms upwards and turned her head to the left. Both Tommy and Michelle were still dozing, his head resting on her shoulder. For a moment, she thought she saw two pieces of dominoes setting off a long chain reaction. She smiled; it had been years since she'd seen them this close. She wanted to capture the moment before it was too late.

She turned her gaze away. An insistent tingling spread through her body, all the way to the tips of her fingers. She arched forward, carefully slid open the zipper, and reached inside her little backpack. She pulled out her phone and aimed it at them. With a quick, precise sequence, her fingers bounced on the illuminated screen, snapping several pictures. Finally, she studied them one by one, sticking out her tongue.

The images scrolled quickly. They seemed like microscopic parts of a film scene, and Ava let out a small, pleased squeal. Even though Tommy and Michelle had shifted by just a few millimeters between one photo and the next, she didn’t waste a single second in capturing every small difference. Those details, she decided, would determine the best shot.

"I see someone’s wide awake, huh?" Her father glanced over his shoulder, keeping his eyes focused on the road. "How’s everything back there? All good?"

Ava looked up from her phone and met her mother's calm, curious face. She whispered, "They’re sleeping."

Her mother nodded. "I can see that, silly! Anyway, tell me, why are you laughing? Watching funny videos?"

Ava shook her head enthusiastically, genuinely. She replied in a low voice, "I took a picture of the two of them, and I’m picking the best one."

"Did you take any funny ones?"

"No," she said, surprised. "I took so many that it’s like I’m watching a movie where they’re just sleeping. Look!"

She turned the phone around and quickly swiped through some photos with her finger, creating the illusion of moving images. For a moment, Ava thought she had discovered something new, but she didn’t care much about it anymore. Instead, it reminded her of when she was little and constantly making discoveries.

"Yes, you’re right, sweetie." Her mother laughed heartily. "Anyway, changing the subject, do you need to be changed? How are you feeling right now?"

Ava blushed at the question. She looked down and glanced between her legs. Her dark shorts were dry and slightly puffed out. Everything seemed fine; she didn’t feel any cold or wetness touching her skin. No signals from her bladder.

"I think I’m dry," she replied uncertainly. "But… but a check wouldn’t hurt."

Her mother pursed her lips and nodded with her usual loving and understanding demeanor. "Alright, sweetie. While dad fills up the car, we’ll make a stop at the bathroom. Okay?"

"Okay, mom." She turned her gaze to her siblings and watched them for a moment. "Will they come with us?"

"They have to," her mother replied tiredly. "Especially Tommy. I can see from here he’s been holding a lot."

Ava lowered her eyes to her brother’s shorts. The bulge between his legs was more pronounced than hers, confirming her mother’s suspicion. She felt a slight pang of sympathy for him.

"When will all this end?" she asked, exhausted.

"End what?"

"The thing with Tommy."

Her mother's face darkened a little, her eyes locking on Ava. She let out a sigh and replied, "I don’t know, Ava. Why do you ask?"

Her heart clenched, and her stomach twisted. Like she had with Michelle under the umbrella, she was trying to find a way to help him. To help him. There had to be a way; she just needed to find it like a pirate finding a lost treasure.

"I don’t want," she admitted with concern, "I don’t want to hear him cry or get upset about messing himself."

"Ava, you know it’s not easy to accept that you had an accident while you were sleeping." Her mother’s tone hardened, ready to scold her if she said something inappropriate. "It’s a tough time for your brother: new school, new friends, new house. You know better than anyone what that feels like."

"I don’t wet the bed, mom," she protested, confused. "I don’t understand what you’re getting at."

"It’s true, you don’t wet the bed while you’re sleeping, but you were the first to take the hit." Her mother gestured to her shorts. "The diapers are helping you handle the situation. It’s still early to say, but I’m seeing the first signs with my own eyes."

"The fact that me, him, and Michelle are all wearing diapers?" she asked cautiously.

"Think about it carefully, sweetie," her mother warned. "If one headlight isn’t working as it should, the others have to do everything they can to help it. Can you tell me why?"

Ava bit her lip nervously. "Because… Because we’re a team?"

"Exactly," her mother’s voice softened, "a team works hard to reach a goal. It can’t do it alone, that’s why it needs us to get through this rough patch."

Ava turned her gaze back to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. She pushed the thought of the diaper between his legs out of her mind. Poor Tommy, starting this new chapter of their lives must have been tough.

A hiss from below caught her attention. Both hands rushed to press against her lower body. A sense of shame washed over her face: watery eyes, flushed cheeks, and lips pressed tightly together.

Was she… was she really going to cry? Crying in front of her family for the second time in just twenty-four hours? She sighed, her breath hitching. Not to mention the fact that she had just wet her diaper…

"M-Mom?" she called in a trembling voice. "Maybe… maybe I need to be changed."

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Author: FreezMilo
Timestamp: Jun 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Content: Ava struggled to ignore the stares of people inside the rest stop. A mosaic of eyes briefly fell on her and her family, even if just for a few seconds. She found comfort in the loud, noisy hum of their voices; she was sure no one could hear the sounds of her diaper slipping with every step.

They don’t know, she kept repeating. It’ll be fine.

She turned her gaze to Tommy on her left: his face was lit up with curiosity, his eyes darting from side to side as though drawn by some invisible force. Even though it was just one of many restaurants at a gas station, he seemed like he was visiting a museum.

Ava felt envious. Like her, he was also wearing a soaking wet diaper, yet he acted as though he couldn’t care less what anyone thought. How could he ignore the cold, irritating screech of wet fabric against his skin with every movement?

In front of them, their mother and Michelle had been talking since they first entered. What they were talking about was a mystery. Probably, their mom was explaining some things about the diapers they were all wearing right now, or giving clarifications about the rules she had laid out the day before.

"When are we getting to the bathroom?" Tommy’s voice was tense.

"In a few seconds." Ava gave him a reassuring glance. "Is everything okay?"

Tommy shivered, quickly looking away for a moment, then gripped her hand more tightly. "I-It’s starting to bother me. And... And I need to pee."

Ava quickly looked up. Beyond the scattered tables here and there, the family bathroom door seemed far out of reach. For her brother’s sake, they had to pick up the pace.

She took a quick step forward and touched her mother’s shoulder.

"Tommy needs to pee," she said worriedly. "Since we’re moving at a snail’s pace and our diapers are driving us crazy, can’t we speed up?"

In no time, Ava and her family reached the family bathroom. As soon as they stepped inside, Ava let out a long sigh of relief. No eyes on her, no chance of being discovered, and no risk of being ridiculed by strangers.

"Guys," her mother began with a tone of authority, "since this bathroom has two changing tables, I propose we split into two pairs. I’ll take Tommy, and Ava, you take Michelle. Once you’re done with them, Ava will be next, and I expect you two not to disturb us. Understand?"

As Tommy and Michelle confirmed and got ready to be changed, Ava looked around, curiosity taking over. The bathroom was well-lit by a large lamp protected by a cage-like cover. Next to the toilet was one changing table, and the other was near the sink.

I’ll change Michelle here. She approached slowly and studied it for a moment. Attached to it was an instructional sheet with simple drawings showing how to use the reclining table. Three easy, but important steps.

"Okay, okay," she muttered nervously, "I pull the lever, do what I have to do, and then push it up. Easy, right?"

"It’s easy, indeed."

Ava jumped in fright, spinning toward the wall with both hands pressed to her chest. Her gaze fell on Michelle, who had stepped back a few paces, holding a clean diaper and a pack of wet wipes close to her chest.

What the hell was going through her mind? If she wanted to give her a heart attack, she almost succeeded! She hadn’t even heard her approach, just like the little insects that sometimes appeared in her room.

Ava sighed, trying to calm her nerves and slow her heartbeat. "I see mom gave you everything you need. Wait a second, where’s the rash cream?"

"You should have it in your backpack," Michelle pointed at her feet. "Mom said it’s in there. She and Tommy use the backup one."

Ava shot her a confused glance. A backup cream? Did mom really think they might run out? This was the first time they’d gone out with diapers on! Not even when she was little did their mother take precautions for emergencies! The same went for Michelle and Tommy. This was definitely strange.

She put the thought aside and proceeded to pull the small blue lever. A dry metallic sound echoed in the air, snapping both her and Michelle to attention. Um… Did I break it?

A long white plastic panel detached from the wall, extending horizontally between them. Ava studied it for a good minute. It looked identical to the changing table at the beach bathroom. She crossed her fingers, hoping her sister wouldn’t complain once she was up there.

"Ready?" she asked.

Michelle turned bright red, quickly averting her gaze from the table. She mumbled something under her breath before stepping back again.

This was just great.

Ava immediately opened her arms as if to embrace her and tried to get closer. She didn’t want to waste another minute trapped in a cold, dirty diaper!

She spoke in a calm, reassuring voice: "I know this is new, but I don’t want you to back out now. I’ve always changed you when you were a baby; after all, I’m your big sister! I want you to feel comfortable. Especially now, since… you get it, right?"

"I… I’m not a little kid..." Michelle shivered, trembling.

"None of us think that, and none of us ever will!" Ava replied firmly. "Look at me! I’m wearing one too, and I’m thirteen! Do I look like a little kid to you?"

Across the room, their mother chimed in with a teasing voice: "Out there, you’re a big girl, but deep down, you know you’re still a little one!"

Ava nervously laughed, wondering what that pointless intervention was about. Mom was right: she still felt like a little girl deep down, needing her parents’ attention and always thirsty for play and fun. Maybe Michelle felt the same way? Was she hiding that side of herself to seem different in front of her?

"There’s nothing to be ashamed of," she continued cautiously, "if you had an accident, no one would notice. Only you would know, unless you tell someone or someone finds out. Are you feeling confused?"

Michelle lowered her head, staring at the floor. She looked like a chastised dog. "No? Actually, yes, but..." She sighed deeply. "Y-Yes?"

"There’s nothing wrong with you," Ava began gently, "you’re just curious and trying to be like me. Am I or am I not your big sister?"

She smiled a little. "You are."

"See?" Ava placed her hands on her shoulders. "I’m here to help you. Always, even if you make the worst disaster."

Michelle looked down for a moment, shivering at the thought, then shook her head in horror. "I’d never do that! Not even if all the bathrooms in the world disappeared!"

Ava laughed heartily. Her determination and spirit were unmatched. Who knows, maybe one day she’d end up needing a diaper too…

Her hands moved silently under her sister’s armpits. Ava lifted Michelle into her arms and carried her to the changing table. A strange feeling of nostalgia washed over her. Wow, it had been years since she’d held her sister like this.

"All good, Ava?"

She nodded and smiled, reassuring her. "All good. Ready to be changed? If you are, lie down and relax. I’ll be quick, I promise!"

Michelle obeyed and let her big sister take care of her, just like when she was younger.

---

Ava threw the bag and the backpack onto the bed with an exhausted gesture. Her legs, trembling from fatigue, gave way, and she dropped to her knees. She rested her head on one side and relaxed for a moment.

The return trip had completely worn her out. She hadn’t expected her parents to come prepared with games to play and songs to sing at the top of their lungs. If she ever had kids in the future, she’d take them on vacation just to have fun together in the car.

Even Tommy and Michelle had had a great time. Their joyful smiles and hearty laughter had caused her to wet her diaper again and again. Dad’s jokes, though atrocious in their absurdity, had managed to pull her out of the sadness of having to leave and return to everyday life.

With one hand, she pressed lightly between her legs. The diaper was cold and wet; if she still had to pee, it would probably soak her shorts, it was so full.

Ugh. She sighed and tried to stand up. I need to tell mom.

She sat up, the cold, wet grip of the diaper sending shivers down her spine. If she made a sudden move, she might wet her clothes. Damn! I shouldn’t have drunk the whole bottle of soda!

She stood up with some difficulty. Her legs were still sore, and walking toward the door felt like an immense effort.

She took a few shaky steps, then began walking normally. She pulled the door toward her, and the dim, bleak lights from downstairs crept into the semi-darkness of her room in the blink of an eye.

Her mother was just a few steps away from reaching her, one hand already on the doorknob. Ava couldn’t ignore the dark circles under her eyes and the tired look on her face. She wished she could just say goodbye and go straight to bed!

"Are you still awake?" her mother asked, wiping her face with one hand.

Ava nodded with slight embarrassment. "Well... I have a little problem... down here." She finally gestured downward with a slight nod.

Her mother pursed her lips, giving her a tender, slightly weary smile. "Does my Ava need a clean diaper?"

"Can I... really?" Her eyes lit up. "I-I don’t wet the bed…"

"True, but if you want me to put a diaper on you before bed, you just have to ask," her mom replied, glancing under her shorts. "Oh, yeah. You need a good clean-up."

Without saying anything more, Ava took off her shorts and walked over to her bed. She moved the bag to the floor, passed the backpack to her mother, and turned toward her. "What do I do now?"

Her mom pulled out the last remaining diaper and opened it. "Lie down, sweetie. I’ll take care of it now."

Ava obeyed, her heart pounding in her chest and ears. For the first time in thirteen years of life, she would wear a diaper to bed. She bit her lower lip and tried to stay calm.

Her mom ripped open the tabs, gently wiped her private parts three times with a wet wipe, and slid the clean diaper under her bottom. Finally, with a loving and careful touch, she sealed it and adjusted the sides to prevent leaks. "All done, ready for bed. We’ll see each other in the morning, sweetie."

"Goodnight, mom." Ava jumped up and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

Her mom returned the gesture with a kiss on her forehead. "I’m just doing what’s best for you. Sweet dreams."

Before she half-closed the door, she said, "If you need to be changed, don’t hesitate to wake me up. I don’t want my little girl to sleep in a stinky diaper all night."

"See you tomorrow, mom," Ava said, then closed her eyes and drifted off into the world of dreams.THE END