Desire C.B

42

Story timeline: January 2022

*Leighton's POV*

"Come here baby! Come on! You can do it! I believe in you! You're so close!" I cheered, wiggling my fingers towards her, my thighs aching from how long I've been crouching.

"Go Gemma!" Gabe cheered, watching her through the phone screen as we tried to encourage her to walk.

"One foot in front of the other, come here baby!" I cheered, hearing the front door close. 

"Hello?" Landon called out.

"Landon! Come help Gemma walk! She's afraid to let go of the coffee table!"

Landon stood behind her, prying her little fingers off the glass, her delicate hands wrapping around his longer fingers.

I giggled as they slowly walked towards me, Gabe cheering her on.

"Try and let go of her" I suggested, keeping my arms wide open, my face excited. "Come get mommy baby!" 

I watched her little legs wobble, her eyes wide before she fell on her butt.

"It's okay baby! Let's try again! You're so close"

Gemma has been showing signs that she's wanted to walk for days, constantly pulling herself up on the furniture, or the people, falling down every time she attempted.

I could see it in her eyes how badly she wanted to do it.

"I believe in you baby; come on!" Gabe repeated, clapping his hands, a smile appearing on Gemma's face.

She tried again and again, falling down multiple times, but Landon helped her back up, all three of us encouraging her before watching her eyes get glossy, falling to her knees and crawling over to me.

"It's okay baby. We can try again later" I murmured, tugging her into my lap. "I'm so proud of you for trying! Mama and dada are so proud! Such a smart resilient little girl"

After dinner we sat back down in the living room, Gabe back on the phone as I held her rattle, using it as an enticement item.

"Come get the rattle Gemma!" I shook the toy, letting out a loud laugh as she crawled to me, reaching for her toy. "You little cheater! You gotta use your little feet"

Landon plopped her back on her feet, Gemma crying by the fourth time, just wanting the toy; which meant she kept crawling to me.

"Alright, new tactic love bug. Look what mommy has? Tissue paper" I shook and crinkled it, her eyes wide. "Come get the paper Gemma" I teased, Gemma wanting to drop to her knees.

We used toys, food and glittery items, yet no luck.

 We tried for days on end, pushing her a little more each day, eventually giving up and accepting that she'll do it whenever she was ready.

I picked Gemma up from my parents house after my meeting with my lawyer about my record. Gemma placed securely on my hip as I made dinner, sneaking bits and pieces of food here and there.

I texted Colby happy birthday today, the two of us agreeing on meeting up tomorrow for lunch.

I had been trying to keep in contact with him for the sake of Gemma, not wanting her to lose someone she loves so much.

I knew how much that sucked, and I wanted to save her from that heartache for as long as I could.

Gemma helped me make him cupcakes, surprisingly doing really well at pouring the ingredients into the bowl.