Ponyboy's POV

After a week of being back in school, Soda was more than ready to spend a day with Brianna. He missed being with her as much as she missed him. Although I'm sure he didn't cry every night like Brianna did. But she was always fine after a few minutes.

"Pony, why don't you go to a movie or something?" Soda suggested when he saw me sitting on the couch reading a book. "You've been stuck here all week with Brianna. Go out and have fun!"

I grinned. "I'm fine, Soda! Besides, there's nothing good playing at the movie house anyway. I checked."

"Oh." Soda said as he took the news paper away from Brianna before she could tear it. "Uncle Darry hasn't read it yet, sweetie."

Brianna just gave him a look that clearly said, "So? What's your point?"

I laughed and went back to reading my book. I knew I could have gone out like Soda suggestede but I didn't want to. Darry had even invited me to go grocery shopping with him before he left. I just wanted to stay at home though.

"Where are you going?" I looked up in time to see Brianna using me to stand up. She gave me her best smile when she saw me looking at her. Something she must have picked up from Soda.

"Are you going to walk around?" I asked her.

Brianna just slowly started making her way down the length of the couch. Stopping when she got at the end and looked at Soda for help.

Soda's POV

I would normally take Brianna's hand and help her to Darry's chair. But instead I just knelt down a few feet away from her.

"Let go, Brianna and take a few steps towards daddy." I encouraged her.

Brianna looked over at Ponyboy who was putting down his book and kneeling on the floor where he was.

"Come on, you can do it." I said, getting her attention.

Brianna slowly lifted her hands off the couch and slowly took a step towards me. But then she stopped. Looking slightly frightened.

"It's okay, Brianna. Come to daddy." I said holding out my arms.

Ponyboy grinned at me as Brianna took a few wobbly steps without holding onto anything. She only took about five or six steps. But they were her first steps without any help.

"Good job!" I told her as I pulled her onto my lap for a hug.

"Hey, do you think she'll walk to me?" Pony asked.

"I don't know. That's up to her." I replied.

Ponyboy's POV

Brianna walked some more during the afternoon. But not much. She mostly crawled unless Soda or I were encouraging her to walk.

"Hey, could one of you help bring in some of these groceries?" Darry said when he got home.

Soda ignored him. "Darry, kneel on the floor and tell Brianna to come to you."

"Why?"

"Just do it." Soda said.

Darry sighed and got down on the floor. "Brianna, come here. Come to uncle Darry."

Soda, who was holding Brianna let go and took a step back as brianna took a few wobbly steps towards Darry. She didn't reach him, falling on her bottom after the fourth step, but Darry grinned when he saw her take those four small steps.

"Way to go, Brianna!" Darry told her before turning to me and Soda. "Now, will one of you please help me bring in the groceries?"

"I will." I volunteered, standing up and heading for the door with Darry following behind me. "I don't think Soda will give up any time with Brianna today."

Darry just gave me a playful shove towards the truck. "Just help unload the groceries, Pony."

Together, Darry and I brought in the groceries and even started dinner. While Soda continued to play with Brianna who was no longer interested in walking but more interested in the blocks she had got for Christmas. She was looking at the letters and numbers that were painted on them. Soda just sat with her and started builing a little city out of the blocks which Brianna knocked down with a squeel of of laughter.