Disclaimer: Yeah, I own LwD. I just decided to screw with everyone and not have Dasey happen cause I'm just evil like that.*rolls eyes*

Chapter One

Wind blowin' on my face

Sidewalk flyin' beneath my bike

A five year old's first taste

Of what freedom's really like

Five year-old Marti Venturi had been begging all week to ride her new big girl bike. She wanted to go fast like Smerek or Casey. She wanted to go to school all by herself like Edwin or Lizzie. She wanted to fly to Neverland with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell.

When she was told that she needed to learn to ride her bike, it didn't stop her. She just started begging everyone to teach her. Everyone said they were busy, but that they would later. Sadly, that didn't happen. Derek was working at Smelly Nelly's or on a date with some girl from school, Casey was studying or hanging out with her friend Emily, Lizzie and Edwin were either catering to Derek or Casey's every whim or observing/spying on the entire family, and Nora and George were working or acting as referee for the McDonald vs. Venturi (a.k.a. Casey vs. Derek) smackdown. It was starting to look like Marti would never learn to ride her bike.

It was a Friday morning when she woke up to a surprise. George had the entire day off from work and he was going to spend it teaching his little girl how to ride her bike. Marti was beyond excited. She was finally going to be able to ride fast like her brothers and sisters. Finally, she would be able to fly too Neverland with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell.

After explaining the importance of a helmet and knee and elbow pads, George showed Marti how pedaling forward made her go and backward made her stop. He held on to the bike as he walked alongside her. Marti was glad she was finally riding but didn't like going slow. A fact she made clear to her dad.

"Dad-dy! I want to go faster!" she cried impatiently.

George answered her laughing, "Okay, Marti, I want you to pedal hard. I don't want you to fall and get hurt so I'll run and hold onto the bike as you ride. That sound good?"

Marti smiled big and nodded.

They had made it to the end of the sidewalk by this time. George helped her turn around then looked at her.

"You ready?" he asked. His only answer was, "yep," and another huge grin.

She started pedaling really hard like George said, and he was running right alongside her. Marti laughed. She was finally going fast! Soon she would be flying with Tinkerbell. They reached the end of the sidewalk when George told her to stop. They were both grinning though George was slightly out of breath. They then repeated this process a couple more times. With each time, George would loosen his hold on the bike so she could balance herself on her own.

Marti was getting real close to riding her bike by herself. George had let her go a few times though she fell down almost immediately. It was nearing supper time so George decided they would try one more time before going in.

He was runnin' right beside me

his hand holdin' on the seat

I took a deep breath and hollered

as I headed for the street

They were almost to the halfway point of the sidewalk when Marti took a deep breath then yelled.

"You can let go, Daddy! I think I can do this by myself. It's sorta scary, but you can let go!"

George smiled slightly and let go of the bike like she told him to.

Marti wobbled a bit, but right her self almost instantly. She road the rest of the length of the sidewalk then stopped. She was so excited that she turned the handlebars to far and went down with the bike.

George ran to her.

"Marti? re you alright, hun?" he asked while helping her up. Apparently she was because she completely ignored his question and started jumping up and down with a huge smile on her face screaming.

"I did it! I did it! Did you see me, Daddy? I road my bike all by myself that time!" she exclaimed, looking up at him.

With pride in his eyes, he picked her up and laughed at her excitement.

"I sure did, Marti. You did great!" he told her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"I love you, Daddy. I can ride fast and fly with Tinkerbell, thanks to you," she said to him.

George hugged her tightly to him and kissed her hair.

"Of course, Baby girl. Anything for you."

You can let go now, Daddy

You can let go

Oh, I think I'm ready

To do this on my own

It's still a little bit scary

But I want you to know

I'll be okay now, Daddy

You can let go

Author's Note: I hope you guys liked this. I have two more chapters after this one. They are already written up, but it won't be 'til next week before I get them up. I'll be at camp until Saturday. Anyways, please review and tell me whether you liked it, hated it, you saw some mistakes that I overlooked, or you see somewhere/way I could improve my writing. I would really appreciate it! Love ya! ~Jessi