Spring rolled into summer and the sins had much to celebrate. Business had picked up, Keeping Ban, Elizabeth and Meliodas busy constantly while King and Diane had taken time off to strengthen their bond with Nevaeh.
King knelt in front of the child, who currently had hold of his finger. A wide grin appeared on her face as she stared up at her father. Diane chuckled warmly.
"Achoo" the fairy pretended to sneeze softly, earning a laugh from his daughter.
"Nevaeh sure does love her daddy." The giantess commented, leaning down to kiss King. Once again the child laughed.
"You think so?" King asked, receiving another kiss, this time the affection was deepened. Diane drapped her arms around King's neck, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I know she does." The giantess replied. "I think you might be her favorite person. seems like it was yesterday when we brought her here. Isn't she just perfect?"
"Yeah, She really is. Soon she'll be saying her first word and walking with us...I never thought it possible for anyone to be this happy. Watch this." The fairy gently tickled the child who laughed hysterically, causing her parents to chuckle. "Listen to her, she's so joyful, this has to be the most beautiful sound in the world."
"Hey guys." Meliodas called from behind the bar. "We need to get a few things in town, do you mind picking them up, I wouldn't ask but we're pretty busy right now." The dragon sin gestured to the crowded tavern.
"I guess we could. It's nice today, I'm sure Nevaeh would like that. Wouldn't you little princess?" Nevaeh cooed as King stood up, pulling her close. Meliodas grinned.
"Great, I have a list for you." He said grabbing the piece of paper from the counter and pulling an envelope from behind the bar. He made his way over to the couple and handed over the items.
"Hey Nevaeh." He greeted with a smile. "Are you gonna help Mommy and Daddy today?" The child's emerald eyes watched the dragon sin curiously. She reached out, grabbing a handful of his golden hair in her tiny hand.
"No, no. Let go of Uncle Mel's hair." Meliodas said gently as King attempted to loosen her grip.
"Uncle Mel?" The fairy raised an eyebrow.
"Sure. It'll be easier for her when she starts talking."
"If you really want her to call you that, it's fine with us."Diane replied. Ban rolled his eyes, remaining silent.
"What do you think Nevaeh?" The dragon sin tickled her lightly, bringing more laughter. "Can you keep an eye on your parents?" The child shrieked excitedly.
King settled himself on his pillow, his daughter still in his arms.
"She loves riding with King,and I love watching those two,it makes my heart smile." Diane said with a contented sigh. She followed her family out of the tavern.
Nevaeh cooed softly, still keeping her grip on king.
"Yeah, what else do you have to tell me?" The fairy encouraged as the noises continued. The infant, excited by her father's encouragement, waved her hands and shrieked once more.
"You're excitable today, aren't you,my little princess?"
"Of course she is, she gets to play with her Daddy." Diane giggled. "I can't wait for her to be able to talk to us, I wonder what her first word will be."
"I heard that baby humans often call for their mother first." King replied.
"Yeah, but not all of them do, I mean each one is different. Maybe her first word will be...Daddy." The fairy shook his head.
"I doubt that. It would be great, but it's not likely."
"You never know,Harlequin. Children can surprise you." Diane reached over to her daughter, allowing the child to take hold of her finger. As the family found their way through the streets, king handed Nevaeh to her mother, sliding off of his pillow.
They entered the shop where they were greeted warmly by the old man behind the counter.
"Well, it's been quite a while since I've seen the two of you here," he chuckled warmly. "Now I can see why, it's the three of you now. what an adorable child. How old is the little one?"
"Thank you. She's five months." Diane said beaming.
"I remember when my oldest was that age, my wife just couldn't stop smiling. Children are such a joy, you have so much to look forward to. I'll give you this advice, enjoy this time with her, one day she'll grow, all too soon."
"Yeah, we're kind of already getting that feeling" King replied pulling out the list.
"It can be difficult, wait until your little one gets her teeth, there's a challenge. Anyway, what can I do for you?" King handed him the list.
"Do you have any of this by chance?" The shop owner carefully scanned the paper, then nodded.
"I think I can help you with this, it'll just be a few minutes while I look in the back." King thanked him, watching the old man disappear from view. King turned to see Diane cuddling their daughter, the child cooing softly in her mother's arms.
"Mommy loves you, Nevaeh, don't grow up too fast." She requested.
"Hey Diane?" King called .
"Yeah?"
we've been spending a lot of time inside with her. Maybe one day soon the three of us could take some time to let her look around. Maybe a picnic or something like that. "
"it sounds great, she'll love it!" The giantess grinned. "And I'll get to spend the day with my two loves."King was about to reply when the shop owner returned, carrying the requested items.
" here you go,that's everything on your list. " he handed the supplies to King who handed over the money.
"Thank you." The man said kindly, "Before you go, do you mind if I offer you a gift for your little one?" He turned to the shelf behind him, selecting a stuffed bear, it's arms outstretched as if offering a hug.
Upon seeing the offering, Nevaeh reached toward it with soft grabbing motions. Diane moved closer allowing her daughter to grab the toy.
The child was instantly fascinated by the object.
"Thank you." Diane said.
"My pleasure,Ma'am. It does my old heart good to see the young ones happy." As they prepared to leave, the man gave a small wave to Nevaeh. "You come back and see me again soon, little one." Having thanked the man once more, King and Diane made their way back to the tavern.
Elizabeth and Meliodas were already wiping down the tables,while Ban swept in preparation for the wave of customers that would be arriving shortly. The immortal man grumbled to himself upon their return. Ban rested the broom against the wall, taking the supplies from King.
"About Damn time." He said with a glare in King's direction.
"Don't start, you take longer than any of us."
"Just go do your job,Ban."King snapped.
" that's what I've been doing,where the hell-" Nevaeh began to fuss, tears forming in her eyes. King narrowed his eyes at Ban.
"You're upsetting my daughter, I suggest you lower your tone and back off." The fairy warned. Diane shook her head.
"You both need to relax." She pointed out. "She's going to learn that it's okay to do this. I'm taking her up to our room." She turned to Elizabeth.
"If you want you can come up when you're done and play with her." The princess's eyes out up. Meliodas paused.
"Lady Diane, that would be wonderful." Elizabeth cried.
"Go on, Elizabeth." The blonde sin encouraged.
"But sir Meliodas, the -"
" it's fine. We're almost done anyway. " Diane offered Nevaeh to the princess.
"If you're sure.."
"I am, go have some girl time." Elizabeth nodded, thanking him and followed Diane up the stairs.
"Hey King, do you mind-" Meliodas began, only to find the fairy already heading to the kitchen.
"Already on it, Captain. I'm getting the cloth now." King replied .
"Thanks,King. I know you just walked in and everything...Elizabeth could really use a break."
" i get it, I've done it for Diane. I owe both of you anyway. "
"For what?"
" Nevaeh and Diane are my life, the princess saved Nevaeh and it's because of you that I have them. It's the way of my kind to repay our debt, you were there for Diane when she needed someone, I'll owe you the life I came to the world with in exchange for the precious gifts you've both given me. The least I can do is help clean up. " King turned back toward the kitchen, only for the dragon sin to call out to him.
"Hey King, after we close,we'll have a guy's night, as for owing us, just let us be part of the family, it means more to us than you know."