Chapter Ten; Guided Steps
Within moments of the sound of the wail broke through the house, Anna had thrusted herself out of sleep and to the side of the crib.
"Here, Peyton, honey," She lifted the baby against her shoulder, "That's right, Momma's here…let's get you that bottle then maybe you and I can get some sleep. Does that sound like a plan to my little Miss Peyton."
Anna carefully made her way to kitchen, and as she warmed the bottle talking to Peyton the entire time Larry finally appeared.
"I thought it was my turn."
"Yeah, but I was up."
"uh-huh." Larry laughed.
"What?"
"Anna, honey, you're going to have to share."
Larry watched as Anna walked out the front door, grateful that Lydia and the other woman…he couldn't remember name…he just knew she was Lily's younger sister, anyhow, the two of them convinced Anna to come out with them, a baby-free day.
"Peyt, honey…it's just you and me." He said walking into the nursery where the little girl was laying in her crib staring a the mobile that was dangling over head
He carefully lifted the little girl out of the crib, "How about that…a day just you an me?"
He didn't really expect the three month old to respond, but he smiled as he got a gurgle from his tiny blonde.
"Well, how about that, huh?" Larry laughed, "What are you going to be little girl?"
He made his way to the fridge to grab a bottle for the baby and a sandwich for himself.
"I guess we'll have plenty of time to think about that huh? I just hope you'll be happy…hey, maybe you'll break the mold…an extremely happy, angst-free teenager, how about that?"
Peyton seemed to scrunch up her face, and Larry laughed, "Too optimistic for you?"
All he got was another gurgle.
"Give me a F, give me a R, give me a I-E-N-D-S, what do we get? Friends, yes, that's what you two are, aren't you?"
Anna finished tickling the brunette eight month old with her left hand and her own blonde seven month old with her right when her mother came into the room,
"Already training them for cheer camp?"
"Yep, and the are going to make a fine pair of cheerleaders, aren't you ladies, and maybe I'll even get to be your coach, how's that sound? Oh, Brooke like's it." Anna laughed.
Her mother sighed, "I don't know why you watch that little girl, the whole town knows her mother doesn't work. The first year is when babies get to bond with their mothers."
"I know, but I don't see Olivia Davis bonding with Brooke anytime soon, and she asked if I could watch her, and I thought Brooke could at least use a friend."
"They're a year old by the time they get old enough, they probably won't see each other any more."
"I don't know, I have a feeling about these two…plus…remember Naomi, she was my best friend from diapers until the time she tried to hit on Larry right before she moved."
"Yes, I remember her, have you heard anything about her?"
"No, but I wish I could talk to her, I was kind of mad when she left, and yes she tried to make a move on my guy, but I dunno…I still see her as my best friend." She turned to the pair of girls. "That's the one piece of wisdom I want to pass on to you two, boys come and go but best friends…are something you can't get rid of…not even when you're really mad a them…nope."
Larry and Anna were sitting on the porch wrapped in each other on the swing watching as the stars began to come out,
"Are you sure you two will be okay?"
"We'll be fine, stop worrying, plus if we need anything there Greg and Lily, Lydia and Jimmy…"
"I know it's jus this is my first long trip since Peyton came home."
"Well, I don't think Peyton is going to forget you that easily. We'll just miss you, isn't that right honey?"
The pair looked to the blanked where Peyton sat playing with some toys, the little girl turned her head toward her mother's voice, and giggled. She scooted to where the baby-safe gate was preventing her from exploring down the porch steps, she grabbed a hold of the gate and pulled herself up just as Anna sat up,
"I guess it's time for bed." The two of them began to get up when another giggle caught there attention.
Peyton had mad a few precautious steps towards her parents, but when Anna began to clap Peyton fell to a sitting position. The fall didn't stop Anna's happiness, "Did you see that, babe?"
"Yeah, I saw." Larry smiled, picking up the girl to whisper, "thanks, baby girl, I'm glad I didn't miss that."
Until next time, this is me…signing out.