Tenderheart’s Tiny Timeout
By: Snow the Bear

Tenderheart’s fur bristled as he heard that all too familiar noise again, the noise the Caring Meter made when the level of caring on Earth dropped. What had happened down there? Caring was at record lows all over the globe. Trying to counter it by sending the Care Bears on caring missions just felt like treading water, they were staying afloat but making no progress. 

The pervading thought that haunted him during the day and his dreams at night – we failed them, we failed a whole generation of children and now the world was an uncaring place. No, that’s not quite true he thought – I failed them. I’m the leader of the Care Bears, the fault and responsibility lays on me.

While he denied it to himself the strain of this failure had been changing him, and that change had been noticed by others in the family. Bedtime had mentioned how tired he always looked and asked if he had been sleeping well. Funshine had noticed he rarely smiled anymore and how it looked forced on the rare occasions that he did. Secret Bear had even whispered to him that if he needed someone to talk too her ear was always open for him, and of course anything he told her would stay between them.

Tenderheart always thanked his friends for worrying about him, but brushed off their attempts to help and downplayed their concerns.

But he had gotten steadily worse until he eventually started to act irritable toward others. Trueheart had started to hear reports of something being wrong with Tenderheart, and she decided to keep an eye on him. 

Trueheart’s fears had been confirmed during this morning caring meeting. Everyone looked exhausted from the constant caring missions, but Tenderheart looked worst of all. While he was barking out assignments that would send the bears and cousins on their way, Playful Heart had been standing behind him juggling bananas. He was doing it to entertain Hugs & Tugs, but he missed one of his throws and the banana landed on Tenderheart’s head.

He whipped around to see who had hit him and caught Playful Heart scrambling to catch the bananas and try to hide them behind his back.

“Playful Heart, can’t you ever take anything seriously! We have an important job to do, now get down to Earth and do your part! That goes for everyone, dismissed!”

All the bears and cousins were in shock at Tenderheart’s outburst, and poor Hugs & Tugs were so startled they ran off in tears to find Grams. Everyone silently left, not knowing what to do and not wanting to be the next to draw Tenderheart’s anger. 

Everyone left except for Trueheart. She had been watching the meeting from the balcony above and she didn’t like what she saw, especially something no one else seemed to notice. During his outburst Tenderheart’s belly badge had momentarily dimmed, it meant he wasn’t being true to himself. He obviously needed time off to relax, and more importantly would need help to find himself again. She felt this problem had been building for too long and in his current state it would take something drastic to help him, but what?

Tenderheart expression shifted from anger to regret, his posture changing from commanding to defeated. “Those poor cubs, I didn’t mean to scare them. They’re too young to understand adult problems, how I envy them being free of responsibility” he muttered and sulked out of the room.

But his words made Trueheart smile, because in them she found the perfect solution.

She returned home and wrote a series of letters, handing each of them off to a Star Buddie to deliver.

The first was to Braveheart, saying she need Tenderheart for a special mission and that he would be leading the family indefinitely until his return.

The second was to Grams. She was to come to Trueheart’s home at 1PM. The letter also included a list of supplies to bring.

The third letter was for Wish Bear, also summoning her to meet here at 1PM. 

The letters to Grams and Wish made it clear they were not to discuss this with anyone.

The final letter was for Tenderheart, to come see her at 3PM.

Grams was the first to arrive, and when Trueheart answered the door Grams looked to be absolutely filled with joy. 

“Trueheart, are you expecting a cub!” Grams said excitedly, looking at Trueheart’s belly to see if it looked any larger. Given the items Trueheart had requested it was what she assumed.

“Yes, but not in the way you likely think. I’ll explain inside … where are Hugs & Tugs?”

“They were still having a nap and I didn’t want to wake them. Luckly Secret Bear was passing by and could cubsit until I get back. I know you said not to tell anyone, so I didn’t tell her where I was going or why. But whatever this is about we can be sure no rumours will be started by her”.

Trueheart Nodded in reply. “Here comes Wish, she has a part in this too”, seeing the bear approaching. 

Wish greeted them, and seeing the diaper bag Grams was carrying asked where the cubs were? But Trueheart said this was something best discussed in private and lead them both inside.

Once they were comfortably seated in the living room Trueheart explained her plan. “No doubt both of you have noticed the change in Tenderheart. It may have grown slowly so we didn’t notice at first but there is no denying it now”.

Grams sighed “his yelling at Playful Heart gave the cubs quite a scare, it took quite a while to soothe them”. 

Wish squirmed remembering that moment from this morning. “Do you know what’s wrong? Many of us have offered to help with what is bothering him but he always refuses”.

Trueheart nodded “I do, and he will need our help whether he wants it or not – Tenderheart is no longer being true to himself.”

Both nodded as if the cause had been obvious but for some reason had been unable to see it.

“Don’t be hard on yourselves for not figuring it out, I’m called Trueheart for a reason after all. But I need your help to help him”.  She was encouraged by their curious but eager expressions to learn how they could help him. “We all know what has been occurring on Earth and I suspect as the leader Tenderheart has placed the responsibility for that on himself. The stress has caused him to lose his tenderness”.

“Sounds like he needs a vacation” said Wish, “He works us all so hard, but works himself hardest of all”.

“Indeed” replied Trueheart “but it’s gone too far for just some time off. His stress and guilt have caused him to lose his true self. Tenderheart needs to relearn tenderness by receiving tenderness, and I fear that will require a drastic measure. That is where you come in Wish. I need to make a wish. A wish for another, but its a wish that will likely be against their will. I want to wish Tenderheart became my cub again until he rediscovers his tenderness”.

The pair were silent for several moments as Grams and Wish looked at her in shock and speechless. Whatever they had assumed their visit was about they never would have imagined this.

Wish looked uncomfortable with the plan, “A wish for something against ones will? I don’t know if that’s possible, if it would even work. There must be another way.”

“I fear there isn’t. He is too determined turn back the tide of uncaring to willingly accept a vacation. One where he would need to relinquish all his responsibilities, so he needs to be helpless to resist it. If the wish works, I know this will likely be embarrassing for him which is why all the secrecy. Will you at least try to great my wish?”

Wish still felt unsure about the plan and had doubts such a wish could work, but Trueheart’s wisdom had never steered the family wrong before, and she trusted it.

Wish stood up and held out her arms, “I’ll try … but this will require an exceptionally powerful wish, so I’ll need your help too. Take my hands and make your wish”.

Trueheart stood up and held out her arms taking hold of Wish’s hands.

Wish started to concentrate and her belly badge began to glow, “Trueheart, make your wish”.

“I wish Tenderheart was my cub again, until he regains his tenderness …”, Trueheart watched as the glow from Wish flowed to the spot between their outstretched arms and formed a sphere of light, “so he can find his true self again.” With those words Trueheart’s belly badge unexpectedly fired its own beam into the glowing sphere. 

Wish knew with the combined strength of both of them the wish would be very powerful, but her instincts told her it still wasn’t enough, it needed something to focus its purpose. Then it came to her, “a memory, it needs a powerful memory. Something that will remind Tenderheart of being a cub. One that will remind him of a time without the worries and responsibilities that come with adulthood.”

Trueheart thought for a moment, then the answer came to her, and she started to sing. It was a song she hadn’t sung in a very long time. By the of recollection that came to Wish’s strained face when she heard it Trueheart knew she had chosen well.

As she finished the song there was a brilliant flash, and between them where their beams had met floated a little ball like bubble filled with swirling rainbow light.

“Take it”, Wish said looking exhausted as she slumped back into a chair. “Give it to Tenderheart and you might just get your wish”.

Trueheart cradled the sphere in her hands. “Now comes your part Grams, besides the supplies you have brought. If this works I intend to keep Tenderheart here, but if I am needed elsewhere I’ll need a sitter I can trust with this secret”. 

Grams looked delighted, “I’d love to cubsit for you. Perhaps even if a sitter isn’t needed we could still arrange a playdate. I’m sure Hugs and Tugs would love it”.

Trueheart giggled, but the idea was appealing “Lets save that as something to consider later. Right now I need to finish preparing the nursery before Tenderheart arrives.”

“I’ll help, you don’t need to do that alone” said Grams. Seeing Wish start to stand up Grams put out a hand to stop her “no Wish, you did your part. Stay here and rest”.

With Grams help Trueheart’s home was soon ready to receive its little visitor. After Grams and Wish had left, all that remained was for Trueheart to wait for Tenderheart to arrive.

Tenderheart tentatively approached the door. He had feared his failure would one day lead to this, so when he had received Trueheart’s summon to report to her his only surprise had been how long she waited to issue it. Knowing delaying it would do no good he sighed and rang the bell.

Trueheart opened the door, “Hello Tenderheart, please come in”. He said hello to her as he shuffled into her home.

As she led him from room to room he started to nervously mumble about how he was sorry for the situation on Earth, but she shushed him and said they would discuss that in a moment. She had to keep herself from giggling, he was acting just like a cub that expected to be scolded.

Tenderheart was so preoccupied with how he was going to explain himself he didn’t notice where they were going. He even ignored her shushing him and continued, “Please Trueheart hear me out. I know the situation on Earth has deteriorated but we can do better, I can do better.”

Trueheart stopped in the middle of a room and looked at him softly, “I thought you might expect that was why I called for you today. It is related but its not the reason you are here. I saw your outburst at Playful Heart this morning”.

Tenderheart squirmed feeling very guilty remembering his actions that morning.

“The state of the Earth is not only your burden to bear. We are a family Tenderheart, we support one another. But you have rejected that support and allowed the burden of leadership to change who you are.”

Tenderheart looked alarmed. “Trueheart, please don’t replace me as leader … Give me another chance, I can do better”.

“I think its best I do, at least for a little while. You need a vacation, a timeout from the worries and responsibilities that are affecting you”.

His expression turned from nervous to stern. “I can’t do that, there is so much to do, so many kids on Earth that need me”, folding his arms defiantly.

Trueheart sighed and picked up a box from a table. As she did Tenderheart finally noticed where they were. It was the old nursery, how many decades had it been since he was last in here? Strange it still looked so fresh and ready for use after all this time. 

“Then at least accept this, it will help you” she said handing him the box.

He opened it to find the bubble that contained the swirling rainbow light. He lifted it out of the box and looked at it closely, “what is it ….”. There was a bright flash and Tenderheart found himself surrounded by bright swirling colors of light. It blocked all beyond it from his sight, as if he was now inside the bubble that was in the box. His whole body tingled as it seemed he the light was being absorbed into him. In his surprise he hadn’t noticed the sound at first, but now heard the familiar melody …

♫Hello, old friend, its good to be with you♫

That voice, he knew that voice. Why did it fill him with such a sense of calm and safety?

♫Looking back, is just the same as we were when we began.
This love will keep protecting us, reach for me and I will take your hand. ♫

It was Trueheart’s voice, it was a song she often sang to them when he or the other cubs needed to be soothed. As it seemed to be doing now, he should feel frightened at what was happening but wasn’t.

♫My little star, you'll never fade away.
The hands of time are still.
And we'll be forever young.♫

 “Trueheart!?” he called out as the colors faded and his sight cleared. He found himself on his hands and knees feeling unusually weak.

“I’m here, you are safe with me” he heard her say, her voice sounding like it was cooing to him.

With some effort he tried to stand but just fell back at and sat on the floor. He shook his head to clear it and looked toward Trueheart, but found himself looking at her knees. He tilted his head up following her legs – Trueheart had become a giant! No that wasn’t right – her height looked normal compared to the rest of the room. She wasn’t a giant … was he somehow smaller?

Trueheart squatted down on her knees to speak to him. “Hello again, my precious little cub”. 

Tenderheart looked just like he had as a cub. A miniature version of his adult body except for being cutely chubby with baby fat. The Heart symbol on his tummy was now diapered similar to that of little Tugs. 

“Cub? What are you talking about I’m not a cub? What was in that box?”

“A wish. You need time off; you need to remember what its like to be cared for with tenderness. I expected you would reject my help as you did the others. But sometimes caregivers need to give little cubs what they need whether they want it or not. And the first thing you will need is this” she added holding some folded cloth.

“Is that a diaper?” Tenderheart blushed deeply “I don’t need that” he muttered in shock. But even as he spoke he felt a sudden warm wetness spreading under his butt and legs.

“It looks like you do” she giggled, looking at him lovingly and not at all upset by the puddle.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to”. Tenderheart started to cry; he didn’t understand why but it felt like the natural reaction to wetting himself.

Trueheart grabbed an apron and put it on, “Shhhh its alright, Mommy will fix it. Perfectly normal for such a little cub”. She grabbed another diaper and returned to him.

Her touch comforted him as she wrapped the diaper around him and cradled him in one arm, as she used the other diaper she held to soak up the puddle he had made.

“OK so its bath time first then a diaper”, she told him while depositing the soggy diaper in the diaper pail on their way to the bathroom.

“How long do I have to stay like this?” he asked.

“For as long as it takes for you to heal and regain your true nature. When you do the wish will end and you’ll be an adult again. The less you resist the shorter this will likely take”.

“But … but … the others? How will I be able to lead them after this? Is they see me in diapers they’ll never be able to take me seriously anymore.”

“I’ve considered that. Only Grams and Wish Bear know about this, and you can trust they will keep it secret. Noble Heart will of course find out when he returns home, but you know he can be trusted as well.
 
Tenderheart blushed at the thought of even so few knowing. His old instincts started to return, he snuggled against her arm that was cradling him for comfort.

In the bathroom he watched her filled a basin for a bubble bath. She slowly lowered him in, back toward the slanted side of the basin so he was reclining while submerged up to his shoulders. The soap of the bubble bath smelled sweet like cotton candy and the water was warm and soothing. 

He patted the water making a splash, then did it again. He did it almost without thinking, like a reflex. This made a few of the bubbles float through the air, and he sneezed when one popped on his nose.

Trueheart giggled, “I better give you something to keep entertained or your splashing will give me a bath too”. 

She handed him a rubber duckie. Such a simple toy but it made him surprisingly happy to see it. He dropped it in the water and started to bat at it, making it float from one side of the basin to the other.

With her little one temporarily preoccupied Tenderheart got to work gently washing her cub with a soft cloth. He giggled when she washed under his feet and behind his knees, finding he was ticklish in all the same places he had been his first time as a cub.

He blushed during the whole bath and worried how long he would be away from helping the children of Earth. But he couldn’t deny how soothing this felt, as if the stress was being washed off him. It almost felt too soon when Trueheart pulled the plug to empty the basin and used a pitcher of to rinse him off. After being in the warm water he felt chilly being soggy in the cool air, but within moments Trueheart had him enveloped in fluffy towel. He could feel her rubbing his fur dry as she simultaneously snuggled him.

When the towel was unfolded and pulled away he found himself laying on the changing table. He couldn’t help blushing when she expertly gripped his ankles in one hand and lift them to raise his bottom to allow her other hand to slide a diaper under him. 

He felt how thick and cushy it was as he was lowered on to it. “Does it have to be so thick?” he mumbled shyly.

“Nighttime diapers are thicker and its best we start with them until we know how heavy a wetter you are … you were quite the soggybutt during your first cubhood.” She folded it over him to check the fit and position. 

Satisfied with the fit she lifted his bottom to powder it before letting him down to power in front. Finally she fastened it with knots at the sides. She examined the waist and legs for loose places that might leak before nodding to indicate all was well.

“Won’t I leak?” he asked shyly.

“No sweetie, there is a waterproof layer inside the cloth to make sure pee and … other things stay inside. Hugs and Tugs wear them, and you’ve never seen them leak right?”

It was true and he shyly nodded in reply.

Then she cocked an eye, “Oh what’s this?” she said as if seeing something curious.

Tenderheart followed her gaze to his tummy wondering what was wrong. Only to watch her smiling face darted down to his tummy. “PHHHHHHBBBBT” he heard as vibrations rippled along his belly from the raspberry she was blowing on his tummy. He wriggled and giggled at the feeling, so much so he couldn’t help but wet himself a little. He giggled for so long he had to catch his breath when she finally stopped.

As he lay there getting a hold of himself Trueheart slipped some booties and mittens on his paws. She then carried him to a plush chair in the corner and sat with him cradled in her arms. She took a baby bottle that was in a warmer on a table next to them, and after testing the temperature of the milk offered it to Tenderheart.

Part of him didn’t want to take it, shouting that he was too old to be fed like this! But the old instincts that told him to accept it and suckle felt so hard to resist, and really what choice did he have? According to Trueheart to be an adult again he had to go through with this.

Trueheart could feel the stiffness in the cub’s body and see the internal struggle in his expression. She silently sighed in relief when she finally felt him relax and saw him give the nipple a suck. It was tentative at first, but soon his suckling became rhythmic. 

She hummed softly to him as she watched him feed and the bottle slowly emptying. By the time he was half done his eyes had already started to droop – some things never change she thought. He was barely awake by the time the bottle was empty. She spread a cloth on her shoulder and slowly lifted him to rest against it, then began to gently rub and pat his back until he burped.

Feeding done it was time for her little one to sleep so she brought him back to the changing table. She checked his diaper but found it only slightly wet, it would do fine for his nap. Careful not to wake him she dressed him in a fuzzy footed sleeper and tucked him into a crib. 

He started to stir a little when she put him down but she knew just how to fix that. She took a paci from the shelf and popped it into his mouth. He immediately started to suckle on it and settle down. 

After giving him a little kiss on the forehead she quietly left the nursery.

Tenderheart slept deeply and peacefully; slept in a way he hadn’t allowed himself to do in years. He slept so soundly that he slept though the diaper checks Trueheart gave him, and even when she changed his diaper before going to bed herself. She had briefly considered waking him for a feeding, but it looked like he need sleep more than food. If he woke up hungry during the night or needed her for something she would hear him on the baby monitor. But Tenderheart slept the entire night through. 

Tenderheart stirred as morning light gradually brightened the nursery. He stretched with a yawn as he tried to sit up in bed. ‘What a wild dream’ he thought, then his eyes opened. He saw he was in a crib and his tiny body covered in the fuzzy pajamas. ‘It wasn’t a dream’ he thought raising a paw to his mouth. He felt something there and pulled out the paci, looking at it in disbelief. Then he noticed the feeling of soggy bulk around his groin and butt. ‘Impossible … even if they made me a cub again, I couldn’t have an accident in my sleep without it waking me … could I?’

The realization of how radically his life had changed, and the frustration of not being able to resist what was happening became too much for him. He didn’t know how to deal with this and began to cry. Crying should be wrong, it was not a solution … but it also felt so natural, so much like the right response.

Within moments of him starting to cry Trueheart had entered the nursery, picked him up and cradled him in her arms. “Morning little one, are you hungry?”. Tenderheart shook his head and blushed.

“Oh, does someone have a soggy tushie” she coo’ed at him as she felt how swollen the diaper had become. Tenderheart only covered his eyes with his paws in reply.

“No need to be so bashful, you slept through all of last nights checks and changes”.

“I…I slept through that?”

She nodded and popped his paci back in his mouth. “You suck on that and while I make everything better down here”, patting his butt.

Soon his diaper was clean and dry, and the sleeper replaced by a onesie and booties. 

“You missed your bedtime feeding, you must be hungry”. She said and Tenderheart’s tummy grumbled as if it wasn’t going to wait for the cub to admit it. She put him over her shoulder as they went to the kitchen.

There he found an old highchair waiting for him. The chair was quite comfy, and the straps gave him a feeling of being secure while sitting so high up above the floor. The bowl of pablum she put on his tray however did not look appealing at all. 

He pulled out his paci and let it fall to the tray. “Can’t I at least have some real food … please?”.

“Sorry sweetie but your little tummy isn’t ready for it. But I can make this tastier for you” Trueheart threw some strawberries in the blender and pureed them. She then mixed them and some applesauce and into the pablum.

When she returned the bowl of unappealing beige mush was now a bowl of unappealing beige and pink mush. Seeing it Tenderheart crossed his arms and huffed.

Trueheart couldn’t resist a giggle at his defiance, intentional or not Tenderheart looked every bit like a cub that was a picky eater. She scooped up a spoonful and tried to feed him, but he turned his head to move his mouth away from it.

“Come on sweetie, just try it. You used to love this for breakfast”.

Hear it this he turned back to look at her, his mouth gaped a little in surprise. Before he could react she took the opportunity put that spoonful of mush in his mouth. 

He recoiled, grimacing as he prepared to spit it out. Then his expression softened and he smacked his lips. Memories of the flavour came back to him, she was right, he did like it. Bashfully he reached for the spoon.

“Oh no, no responsibilities remember? That includes not having to feed yourself. Besides, you were always a messy eater as a cub, even when not feeding yourself … which reminds me”. She pulled a bib from her apron pocket and placed it on him before she fed him another spoon.

Late last night Noble Heat had returned from his caring mission. He had found Trueheart already asleep, and exhausted from his day had gone straight to bed. He hadn’t noticed the baby monitor on the night table, and he had been in the shower when Tenderheart had woken up this morning and started to cry.

Still feeling a little groggy he shuffled into the kitchen and poured himself a mug of coffee. He had just taken his first sip of it when he turned and saw Trueheart feeding a cub … that was unusual but maybe Gram’s needed a sitter? But something was wrong … then the fact the cub’s fur wasn’t blue or pink finally hit him. 

He was still trying to process what he was seeing when Trueheart said “Daddy’s awake sweetie why don’t you say hello?”

The sip of coffee which he still hadn’t swallowed yet sprayed from his mouth with a ‘PFFFFFT’. “Daddy!!? Trueheart! When did you … when did WE!? Who is this cub!!?”

Trueheart took one look at Noble Hearts expression and laughed heartily, while Tenderheart lifted his bib up to try and hide behind it.

“We did … many years ago Dear. Surely you remember our little cub Tenderheart.”

He stared at what he could see of them. The cub was hiding his face, but once he saw the tummy symbol he recognized it and knew somehow it must be true. “But how, what happened … did No Heart do this?” 

Over breakfast Trueheart explained the events of the previous day. Noble Heart was uncertain about her plan at first, but she eventually convinced him.

Once the discussions were done Trueheart got up from the table. “Why don’t you keep our cub entertained while I make our breakfast.

Noble Heart cleaned Tenderheart’s face and removed his bib. He lifted him into the air and nuzzled his belly, causing the cub to giggle. “Come on little guy, lets have some fun”. 

He carried him into the living room and sat with him on the floor. Tenderheart didn’t know what to do. He looked around to see if there were any toys about. He saw a basket with colorful wood blocks – he remembered building towers with them and how Brave Heart loved knocking them down with his roar, that could be fun. He also saw some plushies – and remembered how Cheer Bear and Treat Heart used to have tea parties with them. Sometimes he would join them, maybe that’s what they should play? Or maybe tag? Funshine Bear always loved that game, even though Swift Heart always won when she was playing with them.

Noble Heart chuckled, “If you don’t choose soon playtime will be over before we start … but I remember a game you used to love”. Noble Heart hunched over and placed Tenderheart on his back, then started walking on his hands and knees making clip-clop sounds with his tongue.

“Horsey Ride!” Tenderheart squealed excitedly as he bounced on Noble Hearts back. Like the toys this brought back a flood of memories and feelings that had long been forgotten. 

Noble Heart carried him around the room, turning in direction when Tenderheart taped one his shoulders. He could tell the cub was having a marvelous time from all his cheers and giggles … but then another sound came from him.  There was a ‘Phfeeerttt’ sound and the weight on Noble Hearts back suddenly felt much warmer. Noble Heart stopped moving, as did Tenderheart’s giggles.

“Did you just …” he sniffed the air “yeah, you did”.

“S..s..sorry” Tenderheart sniffled and then started to cry.

Noble Heart reached behind and pulled the little cub into a cuddle just as Trueheart entered the room to see what was wrong.

“What happen…” she started to say but a few sniffs answered the question before she finished it, “Oh I know what”. She got down and joined Noble Heart cuddling the crying cub between them.

“I..didn’t mean too” he muttered between cries.

She kissed his head, “Silly cub, you’re a baby. You expect this to happen eventually?"

He shook his head. In truth even after wetting without noticing he hadn’t expected this, at least not without feeling some sort of warning!

“You clean him up dear and hurry back, breakfast is almost finished.”

“Me?” Noble heart asked looking a little worried.

“Yes you, and it won’t be the last time. We used to take turns remember?”

Looking a little defeated he got up, “Alright, lets get you changed”.

Back in the nursery he prepared the everything needed for the change and then gingerly untied the diaper. 

When Tenderheart saw Noble Heart’s face grimace his eyes started to well up with tears.

“No, no don’t cry” he said seeing that, “silly Daddy was just trying to be funny!” he fibbed and forced himself to smile. ‘Get a hold of yourself Noble Heart, you can do this!’ he though as he reached for the wipes.

Several minutes later Noble Heart strolled back into the kitchen with a clean and much happier cub ridding on his shoulders.

The days started to fly by as Tenderheart fell into his new routine of feedings, diaper changes, playtime and sleeping. He had grown so accustomed to it that the days had started to blur together. How long had he been cub – days, a week, multiple weeks? Surely not multiple weeks?

One day his routine playtime was interrupted when someone rung the doorbell. Panicked that someone might see him he dove into a pile of plushies to try and hide among them.

He relaxed a little when he heard Grams voice. He knew she already knew about his special vacation, but he still felt too shy to come out.
 
“Come out little one, I want to see you” Grams called to him. 

Tenderheart stood up and a plush that had been covering his eyes fell off him. When it did he was startled to find Grams wasn’t alone!

“Goody goody gosh, another cub!” Hugs cried and charged toward Tenderheart. Still stunned he couldn’t move before the slightly larger cub had practically tackled him with a hug. They fell backward, the plushies luckily providing them a soft landing.

“Who is that Grams?” asked Tugs.

“Why its Tender…ness Bear” catching herself just in time. “He loves to play, so go play with him and Hugs”.

As Tugs ran off to join the other cubs Trueheart whispered to Grams “Tenderness Bear? More like Soggy-bottom Bear”, she giggled and nodded her head in the direction of a laundry basket full of recently washed diapers.

“How about we have some tea while the cubs play and you can tell me how he is doing” said Grams and they headed to the kitchen.

When Tugs got there Hugs was already helping Tenderheart up from the plushie pile. The cub started to talk and decide what they wanted to play. Still feeling shy Tenderheart let them decide the games.

First they followed Tugs suggestion and had a contest to see who could build the tallest block tower without it falling. The other cubs had a bit of an advantage over Tenderheart since they were a bit taller. But all their towers got to about the same height before they collapsed. Next Hug’s suggested a game of Simon Says. Him and Tugs were able to follow many of Hugs commands until she finally tricked her brother and Tenderheart won.

While the cubs played Gram’s and Trueheart occasionally peeked in the room to check on them. They were both very pleased at how naturally Tenderheart was interacting with them.

Now it was Tenderheart’s turn to choose a game. He tried to think of a game where his smaller body might be an advantage but still fair for Hugs and Tugs. Then he grinned, “Lets play Hide and Seek!”

They played Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who would seek first. Hugs lost and she would be their first seeker. As she counted the boys scattered to find somewhere to hide. 

Tenderheart noticed a small gap behind the couch that looked perfect. He crawled through the legs of a side table to reach it and squeezed himself inside – mostly. He didn’t know it but his tail and a bit of his diapered butt was slightly visible. 

Hugs finished counting and searched for the cubs. She found Tugs first, he had tried hiding behind the curtains but his feet had been visible under them. After that she had gone around the room a few times looking for Tenderness Bear but couldn’t find him. She was about to give up when she spotted movement. Looking under the side table more closely she saw his tail.

Quietly she crawled under the table, reached out and gave a pat to his butt, “Caught you!”. She was so excited she forgot she was under a table and sat up. Her head bumped the underside of the table. There was a thud from above her, followed by the sound of something rolling and finally a crash.

Both cubs crawled out to see what had happened. The lamp that had been on the table was now laying broken on the floor. Hugs looked at it and started to cry as both adults rushed into the room.

“What happened, is anyone hurt?” ask Grams quickly surveying the scene.
“I’m sorry, I broke it” cried Hugs as she rushed to Grams and hugged her leg.

“Its alright Hugs, it was just an accident” Trueheart said before leaving to fetch a broom.

“Nooo its not alright” she wailed.

Tenderheart walked up to her and hugged her from behind. Feeling it, she turned to look at him with eyes full of tears.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, and she shook her head no.
“Is anyone else hurt?” he asked, and she muttered “no”.
“And you didn’t mean to break it right?” he asked.

She shook her head, “no I was just excited I found you”.

“So, no one is hurt, and it was an accident. You said sorry and Trueheart said your forgiven. Then everything is alright”. He hugged her again, with all the tenderness his alias and true name embodied. 

The feeling of it, of showing someone in need comfort and tenderness filled him with warmth. It felt natural, it felt true, it felt like it was what he was meant for.

Paying attention to Hugs the others missed it, but Truehart returned from getting the broom was just in time to see Tenderheart’s belly badge brighten when gave that hug.

“I’m sure the cubs had a great time playing with Tenderness but its time for his nap” Trueheart said.

“Not a bad idea, I’m sure Hugs and Tugs could use one too” Grams replied.

“Tenderness isn’t grown up enough for a sleepover yet … but it might happen really soon”.

Grams understood the warning from the emphasis Trueheart put on the words ‘grown up’ and ‘soon’. She quickly got the cubs ready to go, and after the three of them gave Trueheart and Tenderness goodbye hugs she had them out the door.

And not a moment too soon. Tenderheart’s belly badge started to pulse with a glow. The glow brightened and got larger until it surrounded him like before. He watches as his body began to grow back to its adult size, popping the knots on his diaper and causing it to fall to the floor. When he was back to his normal form the glow surrounding him seemed to pop, sending off little rainbow sparks like a firework.

“I’m back to normal!” he said looking himself over. 

He went to Trueheart and hugged her, “Thank you. Thank you so much for caring for me. Caring enough to give me what I needed even when I foolishly rejected it”.

Happy to be adult again he tried walking and sighed with relief, it felt good to be stable on his feet instead of needing to toddle or crawl … his feet … his warm wet feet. He looked down in shocked realization.

Trueheart giggled, “Wish warned me that a wish this powerful could have side effects”. She took Tenderheart’s hand and started to lead the stunned bear out of the room. “Let’s get you back to the nursery for a new diaper, and maybe a nap. It’s been a big day for you, so we can wait until tomorrow to try starting your potty training”.

The End … ?

Authors Note: Lyric snippets from “Forever Young” are copyright of Dean & Carol Parks.