Shoelaces
bluerose921 asked for a oneshot of Neal asking Emma to help him learn to tie his shoelaces.
"Ok, so, you take the two laces," Emma demonstrated with her own trainer "and hold them out straight. Neal copied his big sister. Emma couldn't help but notice how cute he looked with his tongue sticking out with him trying to concentrate. "Cross them over, put one under the other and pull." Again, Neal followed his sister's demonstration. "Great now make a bunny ear with the lace on the right, then pull the left hand one underneath and tug gently until it makes a second bunny ear. If needed make a second knot like this so it doesn't become untied. How'd you get on?"
"Um…" Emma looked over and smiled at her brother's first attempt. He hadn't quite managed it yet.
"Don't worry about it, little man. It's just one of these things that's going to take you a lot of practice before you get it totally right. You still have the other shoe to do- give a go with that one. Don't worry, I'll talk you through it." Emma helped her brother tie the other shoe, and this one came out slightly better than the last. "See, already an improvement!" Emma said, ruffling his hair. "Come on, let's get going to the park. You can show Phillip how you can tie your own shoes now." Emma couldn't believe how quickly her brother was growing. He was already in school. How long before he was driving? Or moving out to college? Emma shook her head, ridding herself of the thoughts. She couldn't rush away his childhood worrying about him growing up. All she could do was enjoy the moment.