Steve's POV

When Brianna said, "Daddy.", Soda picked her up and started dancing around the room. I knew he had been looking forward to her first word. Wondering what it would be. We all were. Now, I stood watching my best friend dance around the room all because of one simple word.

"Did you hear that? Did you hear what she said?" Soda asked us, still dancing.

"Yes, little buddy." Dary replied. "We all heard her say daddy."

Soda grinned.

"When do you think she'll say, Ponyboy?" Ponyboy asked.

I couldn't help but grin at Pony. I knew how he felt. I was wondering when she'd say all of our names. And other words, too. I think we all were. But for the moment, Soda was happy with "daddy".

Soda's POV

"I think she'll say Ponyboy soon." I said in response to my brother's question. I lifted Brianna in the air and spun around. "Won't you? And you'll say Darry too."

Darry just shook his head. He'd never admit it, but he was looking forward to Brianna starting to talk just like the rest of us.

"Give uncle Darry a big kiss." I said, handing Brianna to Darry. She just sat on his lap and looked around. I guess she was getting tired. It was getting late.

"When is she going to tell you guys to buy more ice cream?" Two-Bit asked although it was hard to understand him. He actually had his face in one of the ice cream containers and was licking it clean.

"Two-Bit, that's disgusting!" Pony cried, laughing.

"Don't you go picking up on Two-Bit's habits." Darry said to Brianna. He turned to Two-Bit. "Get your head out of the container and use a spoon like a normal person."

"She didn't." Two-Bit pointed at Brianna.

"She's a baby. Besides, she didn't have her face in the container." That was Steve.

Two-Bit left the room and returned empty handed.

"It's getting late, Soda. Maybe you should put Brianna to bed now." Darry suggested.

I took her from Darry. "I was just thinking that myself."

"I'll go with." Pony volunteered.

Ponyboy's POV

"How does it feel to know that Brianna's first word is daddy?" I asked once we were in Brianna's room.

Soda sat with her in the rocking chair and thought for a minute. Then he grinned at me. "Pony, it is one of the most amazing feelings. Just wait till she says your name. I'll bet you'll feel the same way."

"You know, she's not exactly a baby anymore." I commented. "She's practically a toddler now."

Soda nodded. "I know. She's growing up fast. But hopefully not too fast. I like being able to hold her and cuddle with her. I don't want her to get to that age where she doesn't want me to hold her."

"You have a few years before that could happen." I told him. "And I don't think she'll leave you like Sandy did."

Soda looked up at me. "Pony, someday, Brianna may ask me about her mother, what am I going to tell her?"

"Soda, don't worry about that now. She's not going to ask that any time soon. And when she does, you'll know what to tell her." I said hoping my answer was good enough. It must have been because he stood up and put Brianna in her crib, covering her with a blanket. Then, he put his arm around my shoulders and we walked out of the room closing the door softly behind us.