Author's Note: After this chapter I'll be speeding up the clock a bit.

Chapter 2: First Steps, First Word, First Year

Dante was watching as Nero was now crawling around, ever the curious little devil. His father had made sure to put his weapons far away from the imp. I don't want him hurt…Dante thought with a wince as he remembered when he got a hold of his father's guns and blew their fish tank to smithereens.

Vergil and Dante were only three years old and Sparda accidently left his guns on the coffee table in the living room to grab a book from his study. Eva was in the kitchen and the fish tank was thankfully away from the kitchen! They had beautiful fish that glittered like jewels and were natural suncatchers. The boys tottered out of the kitchen, each holding a freshly baked cookie. Chocolate chip for Dante and White chocolate with macadamia nuts for Vergil. The glint off Luce and Ombra attracted the younger of the two.

"Verge, hold my cookie!" Dante said as he handed the cookie to his twin who blinked as Dante tottered to the guns.

"Dante, no! Go away from Father's guns!" Vergil cried. "Don't want you hurt!"

"Babe, I got this!" Dante said with a grin. Vergil's face scrunched up and turned red.

"DON'T CALL ME BABE!" Vergil cried as he stomped his feet. "NOW GET AWAY!"

"Ah Sweetheart you're cute when angwy." Dante teased as he picked up Luce and Ombra and aiming them. Vergil meeped and moved out of range.

"Put down Dante!" Vergil begged. Dante tightened his grip and aimed away.

"Aw rewax Honey what can go wrong?" Dante asked before the guns went off and the fish tank shattered, glass, water and fish spilling to the floor. Dante blinked while Vergil groaned. Eva and Sparda ran to see what happened and while Sparda had to hold back a laugh, Eva was furious.

"Dante! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Oops."

Dante chuckled at the memory. It was the only time that he got in trouble with his mother. Vergil wanted to kick his ass for worrying him and Sparda had a laughing fit but made sure Dante didn't get his guns until later. Nero cooed and to Dante's surprise, the little devil stood up on wobbly legs and shakily tottered to his father, hugging his legs. Dante beamed.

"Oh, look at you! First step!" Dante gently untangled himself and stepped back a bit and knelt.

"Come on Nero, come to Daddy." Dante encouraged. Nero cooed and stepped carefully but he managed. Dante crowed and hugged the happy boy. "Oh, this is great! This calls for ice cream!"

"I cweam."

"Awww!" Dante cooed. "Yes, little man, ice cream." Dante carried Nero and placed him into his high-chair. Dante draped a towel over his arm like a waiter and smiled.

"What flavor?"

"Stawbear."

"An excellent choice young man." Dante chuckled making Nero giggle and preen. The little ham… Dante prepared ice cream sundaes for them both. When Nero saw the shiny, plump, heart shaped strawberry on Dante's sundae but not his, Nero pouted and pointed.

"Stawbear!"

"But Kid you can't have…."

"Stawbear!" Nero demanded. Dante thought a moment then had an idea.

"Ok little man, I'll give you some strawberries ok?" Nero nodded and Dante took his bowl and gave him a soft but also quite plump heart shaped strawberry placing it on top. Nero cheered.

"Just wike Daddy!" Nero said happily. Dante grinned.

"That's right, just like Daddy." He said softly as they toasted with their spoons before digging into their treats.

"Hi guys," Lady called as they were eating their sundaes. "Oh, what are we celebrating?"

"Ant Wady, we eat I cweam." Nero said as Lady ruffled his hair.

"Ah first words huh?"

"And first steps!" Dante said proudly.

"Really?! Dante, please tell me you recorded that?!"

"Of course, I have cameras hooked up!"

"That's awesome!"

"Wow, he's growing so fast Dante." Lady said as she, Morrison and Patty were setting up for Nero's first birthday party. The little guest of honor was dressed in blue and red with black pants with blue and red sneakers. His snow-white hair was brushed, and he looked adorable. A lot of ladies were looking at Dante and giggling but Lady saw that her friend took no notice. They decided to hold it at a playroom and while Nero was having a blast, Dante felt a bit uneasy.

"Dante, look at him," Lady said. "Nero is fine."

"I know Lady, I just…."

"It's ok to nervous too, you're a first time Dad, but you're doing great! He's growing so well." Dante smiled as he watched Nero play with other kids and sat down. While some of the women smiled and winked, even blew kisses, Dante kept his eyes glued to his son.

"My friend, you are getting so much attention I am a bit jealous."

"Morrison, go and talk to the ladies, who's stopping you?"

"Big change in you Dante." Morrison said. "Before you wouldn't have hesitated."

"I'm a father now Morrison. I can't go around chasing tail."

"Well, as I live and breathe, I thought I'd never see the day."

"What do you mean?"

"You, my friend, have grown up." Morrison said as he clapped his shoulder. "Here's to Nero."

"You son of a bitch," Dante chuckled as he touched Morrison's glass with his own. "But yea, that little punk is my world."

"Enjoy him Dante, they grow fast. Take it from me, I have three of them, not to mention, grandchildren."

"God don't rush it! I'm too young and handsome."

"There's the devil we know and love!" Morrison laughed. "Don't lose that my friend. Just because you're a father doesn't mean you stop being you."

"Thanks."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NERO!" Everyone cheered. Lady took pictures while Dante sat with his son. Nero was all smiles, and the joy was clear on his face for all to see. His ocean blue eyes deepened to royal blue and shone brighter than any jewel. Dante silently swore that he would make sure that Nero's joy would never fade. Right now, Nero was the picture of innocence and Dante wanted to hold on to it for as long as he could.

"Make a wish Nero." Dante encouraged gently. Nero hugged his father and pulled him down.

"With me." Nero said softly. Dante smiled and together, they silently wished, then blew out the candle.