Ponyboy's POV

I usually stay at home with Brianna after schol, but that afternoon I didn't feel like staying at home. I wanted to go for a walk. So, I put a coat on Brianna and put her in her stroller and we went for a walk. I decided that I'd walk over to the DX station. That way, Soda could walk home with us.

Brianna looked around at everything as I pushed the stroller down the street. She liked watching the squirrels run around. She laughed as she watched them.

"Are those squirrels being silly?" I asked her.

She just laughed some more. I walked a few more blocks and we were at the DX station.

"Hey, Ponyboy." Cherry walked up to me. I noticed that Soda was putting gas in her car. A new Corvair. She got down to Brianna's level. "And who's this little cutie?"

"That's Brianna. She's Soda's daughter." I told her.

"She's adorable. Aren't you?" Cherry smiled at Brianna who looked up at me with a 'who is that?' look on her face.

"It's okay, Brianna." I said. I looked at Cherry. "She's a little afraid of strangers."

Cherry nodded as she stood up. "Yeah, well it looks like my car is ready. I'll see you in school, okay?"

I nodded as she turned and walked away as Soda came over. "Well, looks like I don't have to walk home alone."

"Nope. I didn't feel like staying at home, so, I thought I'd take Brianna out for a walk." I explained.

" Well, I just clocked out. Do you want a Pepsi before we head home?" Soda asked as he crouched down to give Brianna a kiss. "Were you a good girl today? Did you enjoy your walk over here with Uncle Pony?"

"She enjoyed watching the squirrels." I said. "And yes, I'd like a Pepsi."

"Okay. Come inside for a minute." Soda started pushing the stroller towards the store.

Soda's POV

"Hey Steve," I yelled once I was inside. "You have a customer! A real looker, too!"

Steve appeared from the back and shook his head when he saw me with Brianna. "She's a real looker alright. Let me guess, Pony needs a Pepsi?"

"Yeah. Get me one, too." I replied.

"Anything for Brianna?" Steve asked.

"Not today. It's almost dinner time." I said as Steve grabbed sodas for Pony and me. "Are you coming over later?"

"Probably. It's not like I'm going to go home or anything. I might spend the night." Steve said.

"Okay. I'll see you later." I turned towards Pony who was looking at a magazine. "Come on Pony, lets go home."

We walked outside and started towards home. Half way there, Brianna started fussing. Wanting me to pick her up.

"Do you mind pushing the stroller so I can carry her?" I asked.

Pony shook his head as I unstrapped Brianna and picked her up. "Is this what you want?"

Brianna leaned against me and sucked her thumb as I carried her the rest of the way home. She seemed to be content and I remembered seeing her cry that morning when I left. I held her closer and thought about how glad I was to be able to hold her and take care of her.