Author's Note: I have good news and bad news. The good news is, I've decided to turn this story into a series. The bad news is, this is the last chapter of this part of the series. The next story will probably pick up when Brianna is two maybe three. I'm still thinking of a title for the next story in the series and am open to suggestions.

Soda's POV

I had to take Brianna to the doctor for a check up on Wednesday. Ponyboy came with even though he doesn't like being there any more than I do.

"I still don't get why Darry couldn't come. He gets off around now anyway." Pony complained as we sat down in the waiting room. "He'd be better at this than me."

"I know, but he can't be here. It'd be at least twenty minutes before he'd show up if he could come." I said. I knew that Pony was upset because he had to hold Brianna when she got her booster shot. He hates doing that. But, I can't do it either. The first time I took her to the doctor, he gave Brianna a shot and she screamed and cried for a long time. She looked at me with eyes that clearly said, 'how could you let him do this to me?' and I wanted to cry myself. After that, I had another person come with to her doctor's appointments. That way they could be with her during the shot and I could leave the room where I didn't have to watch. Usually, Darry came because he can stay calm. Even Steve can handle being in the room with her during the shot. But neither one could come today. So, Pony got stuck.

"I hate hospitals." Pony mumbled picking up an old magazine and paging through it.

"This isn't a hospital. It's just a doctor's office." I told him.

"It smells like a hospital." Pony mumbled.

I had to agree with him. Brianna sat on the floor playing with the few toys that they had there. You'd think they'd have more toys considering all the kids they saw every week. But they didn't. They had two dolls, a few cars and maybe a puzzle. They also had coloring books that kids had already scribbled in. But Brianna wasn't interested in coloring books yet. She was barely interested in the toys she was playing with.

"Curtis!" The receptionist called. "You can go in now."

I picked up Brianna and Pony followed us to the rooom where Brianna's check up would be. He stood uncomfortably while I sat with Brianna. We ended up waiting another ten minutes before the doctor even showed up.

"Well, how is everyone today?" The doctor said as he came in the room. He grinned at Brianna. "You're getting so big! Pretty soon you'll be taller than your dad."

"I hope that won't hapeen until she's at least sixteen." I joked.

the doctor laughed and started the check up. At first he listened to her heart and checked her reflexes. Then, he checked her ears. All the normal stuff. But then, he looked at me. "She's getting her booster shot today, correct?"

I nodded as I looked at Pony who reluctantly walked over to hold Brianna on his lap.

"I'll be back in a minute." I said as I left the room. I walked down the hall and waited until I was sure I could go back in.

Ponyboy's POV

I held Brianna on my lap and shut my eyes. Just because I had to be in the room didn't mean I had to watch.

"Relax Pony. You're not getting a shot." The doctor said. "And it'll be over in a second."

I kept my eyes closed. But I could tell when the doctor wiped Brianna's skin where the shot would be and when he gave her the shot. Which was followed by Brianna screaming and crying. I opened my eyes slowly and held her close to me.

"See, that wasn't so bad." the doctor said as he put a band-aid where he had given her the shot.

I wanted to point out that if it wasn't so bad, she wouldn't be crying, but decided not to. Soda came back in and took Brianna from me. He rubbed her back and spoke softly to her.

"She's a healthy girl. You can go schedule her next check up at the desk." The doctor said. He handed Brianna a lollipop and a sticker as Soda led the way out of the room.

"That was not fun." I said once we were finally out of the building.

Soda looked at me. "I know, Pony, but it had to be done. Besides, she's fine now."

Brianna was trying to get down so she could walk. But Soda wouldn't let her. At least not until we were closer to home. When we got home, Darry was waiting for us.

Darry's POV

"How did it go?" I asked when Soda and Pony entered the house.

"She's healthy." Soda said at the same time Pony said, "Next time you're holding her during the shot."

"That good, huh?" I said. I knew Pony wouldn't like having to be with Brianna during the shot. He still didn't like getting shots himself. So to have to watch someone else get one has to be just as hard for him. "I know you didn't want to be the one to hold her during her shot, but I'm glad you did."

"Me too." Soda added. He put Brianna down on the floor and let her walk around. "Otherwise, I would have had to have asked Two-Bit to come with."

Pony grinned as Brianna tried to walk betweent his legs instead of going around him. "At least I wasn't getting a shot."

Brianna pulled herself up on the couch and grabbed one of her picture books. "Pony?"

Pony turned around. "Do you want me to read that to you?"

Brianna nodded as Pony went over to the couch and sat next to her. He put his arm around her and started to read the story to her.

"She's growing fast, Soda. She's not a baby anymore." I whispered to Soda.

"No, she's not." Soda sighed. "But I finally understand what mom meant when she used to tell us that we would always be her babies. I know Brianna's growing up, but I also know that no matter how old she is, she will always be my baby."

I let what Soda said sink in while I watched Pony read to Brianna. As I sat on my chair, Soda joined Pony and Brianna on the couch. Watching Soda as he pulled Brianna onto his lap, I knew that what he said was true. Brianna would always be Soda's baby.