Chapter 106: tylers new life

Over the next few days, the house settled into a new normal. Tyler had fully regressed, his baby-like state now constant. He played happily with his stuffed animals, giggled whenever Jordan picked him up, and babbled in simple words, seemingly unaware that he had once been a teenager.

Jordan adjusted as best he could. It was strange—he still remembered Tyler as his best friend, someone he grew up with. Now, he was responsible for him in a completely different way. Mrs. Faulkner had made sure Tyler had everything he needed—onesies, diapers, bottles, even a high chair for mealtimes.

One afternoon, Jordan sat on the couch, watching as Tyler played with blocks on the floor. Jake and Alex sat nearby, playing a video game with Evan and Noah. Despite everything, things felt... peaceful.

Jake glanced over at Tyler, who was stacking blocks with intense concentration. "It's still kinda weird, huh?"

Alex nodded. "Yeah, but... I mean, he seems happy."

Jordan sighed. "Yeah. Happier than I've ever seen him. I just..." He ran a hand through his hair. "I don’t know if I’m ready for this to be permanent."

Mrs. Faulkner, overhearing the conversation from the kitchen, walked over and placed a reassuring hand on Jordan’s shoulder. "It’s a big change, but you’re handling it well, Jordan. You love him, and that’s all that matters."

Just then, Tyler looked up, his big eyes shining as he held out his arms. "Uppies, Daddy Jordy!"

Jordan swallowed the lump in his throat and smiled. He stood up and scooped Tyler into his arms. "Alright, little guy. What do you want to do?"

Tyler nuzzled into his shoulder, yawning. "Nap time, Daddy."

Jordan chuckled softly. "Alright, let's get you tucked in."

He carried Tyler to his room, settling him down with his favorite stuffed animal. As he watched him drift off, Jordan felt a mix of emotions—sadness, love, uncertainty—but one thing was clear.

No matter what happened, he wasn’t going to let Tyler go through this alone.

As Jordan picked up Tyler and held him close, he felt a sense of peace knowing that, despite everything, Tyler was happy.

Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper watched as Jordan carried Tyler into the living room, the other boys gathering around. Jake and Alex, while not regressed like Tyler, still found comfort in their own way.

“You’re doing great, Jordy,” Mrs. Faulkner reassured him. “Tyler’s lucky to have you.”

Jordan smiled down at Tyler, who was babbling softly and snuggling into his chest. “I just want what’s best for him.”

Miss Harper nodded. “And you’re giving him that—love, security, and care. That’s what really matters.”

As the day went on, the house felt warm with an unspoken understanding. They would all support each other, no matter what.

Just then Jake and Alex poop in their diapers, Tyler giggles and says Jakey and Alex make boom boom as he then scrunches his face and poops in his diaper.

Jordan sighed, shaking his head with a small smile. "Well, looks like it's changing time for all three of you."

Jake chuckled, albeit a bit embarrassed. "Guess we all had the same idea."

Alex groaned. "Yeah, yeah, let’s just get it over with."

Tyler, still giggling, clung to Jordan. "Daddy Jordy change!"

Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Harper exchanged amused glances as Jordan led the boys upstairs. "You really have your hands full," Miss Harper teased.

Jordan sighed playfully. "Tell me about it."

As he got to work changing them, Tyler cooed happily, while Jake and Alex just relaxed, used to the routine. Once everyone was fresh and clean, they headed back downstairs, where Mrs. Faulkner had set out snacks.

"Alright, boys," she said. "Now that you're all cleaned up, let’s settle in for a nice, calm afternoon."

Jordan sat back with Tyler in his lap, feeling an odd sense of peace. No matter what, they were a family, and they would always take care of each other.

Mrs. Faulkner nodded thoughtfully. "That’s a good idea, Jordan. Dr. Sutton has worked with a lot of kids dealing with unique situations. He might be able to give us more insight into what’s happening with Tyler."

Miss Harper chimed in. "I can call and set up an appointment for you. We’ll get in as soon as possible."

Jordan looked down at Tyler, who was happily sucking his thumb while curled up in his lap. "I just want to understand, you know? If this is just who he is now, I’ll accept it. But if there’s something deeper going on, I need to know."

Mrs. Faulkner patted his shoulder. "And that’s why you’re a good big brother to him, even if he sees you as more than that now. We’ll figure this out together."

Miss Harper pulled out her phone. "I’ll see if Dr. Sutton has an opening tomorrow."

Jordan took a deep breath. He didn’t know what answers they’d get, but he had to try—for Tyler’s sake.

The next morning, Mrs. Faulkner, Jordan, and Tyler arrived at Dr. Sutton’s office. Miss Harper had managed to get them an early appointment, and Jordan was both anxious and hopeful about what they might learn.

Tyler sat in Jordan’s lap, happily sucking on his thumb while hugging his stuffed bunny. He seemed perfectly content, unaware of the concern Jordan felt for him.

Dr. Sutton, a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a patient demeanor, greeted them warmly and led them into his office. “So, I understand you’re concerned about Tyler’s regression,” he said, glancing between Jordan and Mrs. Faulkner.

Jordan nodded. “Yeah, it started off as just… a comfort thing. But lately, he’s been slipping more and more. Now, it’s like he doesn’t even remember how to act like a teenager at all.”

Dr. Sutton observed Tyler, who was now playing with his fingers, humming softly to himself. “Has he shown any distress about it? Does he seem afraid or confused?”

“No,” Jordan admitted. “That’s the thing—he’s happy. He seems even more at peace like this than he did before.”

Dr. Sutton leaned forward. “Jordan, Tyler’s scans did show a smaller development in certain parts of his brain. That could mean a variety of things, but combined with his behavior, it’s likely his mind has adapted to a state where he feels safest and happiest. Essentially, he’s found comfort in this mindset, and his brain has adjusted to make it his new normal.”

Jordan swallowed. “So… does that mean he’s stuck like this forever?”

Dr. Sutton hesitated before answering. “It’s possible that this is permanent, but it’s also possible that with therapy and time, he could regain some of his teenage cognition. The important thing is to make sure he feels loved and supported, regardless of where his mind settles.”

Jordan looked down at Tyler, who gazed up at him with innocent eyes. “I do love him. No matter what.”

Mrs. Faulkner squeezed Jordan’s shoulder. “Then you’re already doing what’s best for him.”

Dr. Sutton nodded. “If you’d like, we can set up regular sessions to monitor him and see if there are any changes over time. But for now, my advice is to let Tyler be who he is and give him the stability he clearly craves.”

Jordan let out a slow breath. “Okay. If this is what makes him happy, then I’ll be here for him. No matter what.”

Tyler giggled and nuzzled into Jordan’s chest, completely at ease. Whatever the future held, Jordan knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going anywhere.

Dr. Sutton nodded thoughtfully, tapping his pen against his notepad. “That’s an excellent question, Jordan. The brain is a complex thing, and different people react to similar situations in very different ways.”

Mrs. Faulkner chimed in, “Alex and Jake have been in diapers for comfort long before the incident. It’s always been a part of who they are, not something that changed due to trauma.”

Dr. Sutton agreed. “Exactly. For them, it’s a coping mechanism, a way to feel secure, but it doesn’t interfere with their mental development. They still function as typical teenagers. But Tyler’s case is different. His mind didn’t just adopt a comfort item—it seems to have latched onto an entire identity shift as a means of protection.”

Jordan furrowed his brow. “But why? He was only forced into this for a week. That doesn’t seem like enough time to cause something so permanent.”

Dr. Sutton sighed. “In some cases, when a person is already vulnerable—emotionally or neurologically—it doesn’t take much for their brain to form a new pattern. Tyler may have already had underlying factors that made him more susceptible to regression. Whether it was stress, fear, or even something buried deep in his subconscious, his mind decided this was the safest and happiest state to be in.”

Jordan looked down at Tyler, who was busy chewing on his sleeve, lost in his own little world. “So you’re saying… this isn’t just about the past week. This was building up for a while?”

“It’s very possible,” Dr. Sutton confirmed. “Something about the experience triggered a full shift, and now his brain is reinforcing it. If he’s truly happier this way, trying to force him out of it could cause more distress than allowing him to remain as he is.”

Mrs. Faulkner gave Jordan a reassuring smile. “You’ve always taken care of him, and you’re still doing that. If this is who Tyler is now, then we love and accept him just the same.”

Jordan let out a slow breath, nodding. “Yeah. I just… I guess I needed to understand why. But no matter what, I’ll be here for him.”

Tyler suddenly looked up and giggled. “Daddy Jordy, I wuv you!”

Jordan’s heart melted, and he hugged Tyler close. “I love you too, buddy. Always.”

Dr. Sutton smiled. “Then I think you’re already on the right path.”

Jordan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Experimental? What exactly are we talking about?”

Dr. Sutton leaned forward, his expression serious. “There’s a new neurological therapy being developed that aims to stimulate underdeveloped or dormant brain functions. It’s primarily been tested on patients with cognitive regression disorders, memory loss, and certain forms of trauma-induced dissociation.”

Mrs. Faulkner folded her arms. “And what does this therapy involve?”

Dr. Sutton sighed. “A combination of cognitive exercises, sensory stimulation, and mild neurofeedback sessions. Essentially, it’s a way to try and reawaken the affected areas of Tyler’s brain while monitoring how he responds. The process could take weeks, maybe months, and there’s no guarantee of full success. He may regain some cognitive abilities, or he may stay exactly as he is now.”

Jordan looked down at Tyler, who was happily sucking his thumb, oblivious to the weight of the conversation around him. “Would it hurt him?”

“No,” Dr. Sutton reassured. “It’s completely non-invasive. But… it could be frustrating for him. If his mind has fully adjusted to this state, trying to force cognitive recovery could make him upset or anxious. That’s why I’m saying it’s something to consider carefully.”

Jordan rubbed his face, feeling the weight of the decision. “So, best case scenario, he regains some of what he lost… worst case, it just doesn’t work?”

Dr. Sutton nodded. “Exactly. But there’s also a chance that he could become distressed in the process. If his brain truly wants to stay in this state, any attempt to change it could cause behavioral issues, confusion, or emotional distress.”

Mrs. Faulkner placed a hand on Jordan’s shoulder. “This is your call, Jordan. You know Tyler better than anyone.”

Jordan exhaled deeply, looking at Tyler once more. “I just want what’s best for him… I don’t want to push him into something that’ll make him unhappy, but I also don’t want to just accept that this is it without at least trying to help him.”

Dr. Sutton offered a small smile. “That’s why I’m giving you the choice. There’s no right or wrong answer here—only what you feel is best for Tyler.”

Jordan swallowed hard and nodded. “I… I need to think about it. Talk it over with everyone. I don’t want to rush into something like this.”

Dr. Sutton nodded in understanding. “That’s completely fair. Take your time. If you decide to move forward, we’ll schedule some preliminary assessments and see where Tyler stands.”

Jordan gently ruffled Tyler’s hair, his mind swirling with possibilities. No matter what, he knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going to stop fighting for his little brother.