Thank you to all who left comments/reviews and kudos for this story (or collection of one shots that is)! I'm dedicating this one shot to a very amazing tumblr user by the name of mitsukatsu! They have been drawing countless, absolutely amazing pictures centering around Sorina and, of course, Dracula and Agatha (there's a picture she did to go along with the story, so check out AO3 or my Tumblr if you'd like to see it. It's beautiful). I'm absolutely honored, and will never be able to express my gratitude enough. So, without further ado, here we go! -Jen

Prompt: Sorina takes her first steps.

Baby Steps

"Come on, Sorina, come take the rattle from Papa!"

Sorina, just shy of being a year old, watched Dracula as he shook the elaborately carved, bronze baby rattle that he had acquired after a lengthy search. It was hard, after all, finding something not made of silver. His daughter gurgled, smiling from where she sat in her mother's lap. Maintaining a good hold on her, Agatha carefully stood the infant girl up.

"Go to Papa, Sorina," the former nun encouraged gently.

Though, despite her best efforts, the moment her mother let go, Sorina plopped right back down. The infant squealed, blowing bubbles as her gaze alternated between Agatha and Dracula. The vampire sighed, rising from his knees. He walked over to his wife and daughter and sat down, dangling the toy which Sorina happily took from him.

"Maybe it's just not time yet," Agatha suggested. "She is still quite young."

"I was running when I was her age." When Agatha threw him a look, he quickly added. "Maybe that isn't rightfully accurate, but how are we supposed to know what's normal? I could always-"

"Don't," Agatha firmly cut him off. "Why is it to you that drinking blood is always the answer?"

He shrugged. "It has yet to fail me." His wife's frown only deepened. "I'm only kidding, somewhat. I know the rules as you've reminded me on countless occasions." The vampire turned his attention to Sorina and smiled. "Besides, our daughter isn't like any child I've come across in my centuries of life. She's extraordinarily special. Isn't that right, micul mea liliac?"

Dracula caressed the infant's cheek, the baby cooing as she reached for her father's fingers. The now forgotten rattle tumbled to the floor as the vampire lifted Sorina up and away from her mother. He stood up, offering his free hand to Agatha. She took it, smoothing the creases of her dress down when he pulled her up.

"I'm going to prepare a feeding bottle. If you could put a bib on her while I retrieve some blood from the ice box, I'd much appreciate it. I suppose I'll throw a kettle over the fire as well."

"An easy enough request," her husband chuckled, bouncing Sorina in his arms. "Come, little one, let's get you properly dressed. No need to be ruining that lovely outfit of yours. Blood isn't the most forgiving when it comes to stains." He looked over to Agatha. "Even if it isn't human."

"Neither is soil," his wife countered. "Between you and Sorina, if it wasn't for me, not an article would be clean. Honestly, I still cannot fathom how you made it so long without completely filthying this place up. What I put up with."

"And yet, you still find adoration in your heart for me," Dracula smirked.

"Hm," the former nun snorted. "If one chooses to call it that." She began to walk away, momentarily stopping to call over her shoulder. "Get the blue one. Not that it matters, but it matches her dress."

Sorina sat contently in her high chair that, to Agatha, resembled more of a throne than that of the average baby seat-typical Dracula and his taste in furniture. Both parents looked on as the infant happily suckled away at her dinner, rarely taking a moment to breathe in between gulps. She had quite an appetite for such a little thing, that was for sure. Agatha had started trying to introduce soup to her, but it had become apparent her taste buds were more like her father's. Much like learning to walk, improving her diet was on the agenda.

"Next time you go out, I need you to break back some vegetables," Agatha commented, taking a napkin to wipe a dribble of blood that had escaped from her daughter's lips. "Preferably without stealing them. Some people are struggling to make a living you know."

"Your righteousness is showing again, darling," Dracula commented. "Almost charming I might venture."

"Someone has to set an example for our daughter," his wife countered with a frown. "And even you can spare some decency, Dracula."

"Perhaps you can demonstrate later on tonight?" He smirked suggestively. "Perhaps after a certain someone is put down for a nap?"

"Only you would find a way to spin coitus into this," she rolled her eyes.

"It's quite alright to say the word sex, Agatha," Dracula chuckled. "It really isn't as inappropriate as it sounds."

"It is when you converse about it in front of our child," his wife said firmly. She paused for a second before adding on quietly, "...But I suppose we could discuss this matter at a later time." Agatha didn't need to look to know Dracula was grinning. "Enough about this, we should focus on Sorina. I was thinking of reading to her if you're interested in joining us."

"That depends," he replied. "Is it Little Women? That's so dreadfully boring and most certainly isn't intended for infants. You can't possibly think Sorina understands a word of it?"

"I find it quite charming," Agatha responded, almost sounding defensive. "And Sorina seems to listen just fine. Even if she doesn't understand it, it's important to read to her nonetheless. You're welcome not to listen."

"Fine, fine," the vampire waved his hand. "I suppose I can suffer through it. You two go up and start, I'll clean up."

After Dracula had finished meticulously cleaning out Sorina's bottle, he ascended the stairs and made his way into Sorina's room. There, sitting comfortably on the floor, were Agatha and his daughter. The former nun looked up from the book, the baby touching the pages curiously. He sat down in front of them, biting his tongue to stop himself from making yet another snide remark about his wife's choice in storytelling. With so much information in the world, she had to choose a fictional book.

"So glad that you could join us," Agatha said, readjusting Sorina in her lap. "Shall I provide a recap?"

"No, I'd much prefer if you didn't," he clasped his hands. "But go on, read away."

A small frown briefly flickered across Agatha's face before she returned to the story. Dracula only half listened, trying his best to tune it out with his wife realizing he was daydreaming. It wasn't until the woman gasped that he was pulled back to his senses.

"Dracula, look!"

To his utter shock and delight, Sorina had somehow managed to push herself up from Agatha's lap. She wavered unsteadily, catching herself before she fell. Immediately, he reached out towards her, unable to hide the wide grin spreading across his face.

"Easy, Sorina, come to Papa. That's it!"

The infant smiled, shakily taking a step forward. Then two. Then three. She took six full steps into Dracula's awaiting arms before finally plopping back down. Her father laughed, lifting her up into the air.

"Clever girl!" He beamed, the infant giggling as she smiled back. "Very clever girl! Look at you!"

"You did wonderfully! Did you walk to Papa all by yourself?!" Agatha was now sitting at his side, also grinning up at their daughter. "We are so proud of you!"

"See, I told you she wasn't too young," Dracula teased, looking at his wife. It was then he noticed that her face had gone pale. "Agatha? What's wrong? What's-"

"She can walk," the former nun said as if stunned.

"Of course she can," the vampire replied hesitantly. "I don't see-"

"Dracula, she can walk," Agatha emphasized. "What are we supposed to do now? Don't you see where we live?" She gestured all around them. "She can walk!"

"Oh," the count said quietly. He exhaled, staring up at his daughter. "Well...I suppose we can put coitus on the back burner." His eyes flickered back to his wife who still appeared quite horrified. "I suppose let the baby proofing begin?"

This was a very fun one to write! Writing Agatha and Dracula bantering is always a blast. Reviews/comments and kudos are greatly loved and appreciated! I'm always open to prompts! Take care and stay healthy, folks! -Jen