Baby Clifford

Pool

*Michael's POV *

"Daddy where are we going?" Melody asks as I put on her Disney Princess swimsuit and dolphin floaties on her arms. "To the pool." I answered. I grabbed the towels and wrapped her one of them as we went to the indoor pool. the other boys were already there and swimming, Peter on his dad's back in the deep end. Melody looked at the water with questioning. I set her down and put the towels on a chair nearby and went in the water. My daughter had different plans though.

She sat about a foot away from the pool. "Come on, Melody, get in the water." She shook her head. "No." She stated. I walked up to the edge of the pool, half my body out of water, "I'll be with you the whole time." I put my arms out for her. She didn't enter them, instead she went to where I put the towels. I groaned at her stubbornness. "Melody, please get in the water." I begged. She just shook her head and wrapped the towel around her. "Melody I'm going to count to 3 and if you don't get in the water, I'll make sure you go in it." I warned. The child stayed in place. I sighed, " One...." She moved slowly to the steps. "Two..." She put her feet in the water, " See Daddy I'm in the water!" She declared. Of course my daughter is the smart allic. I thought how to get her in the water.

I started swimming towards the boys and I can tell she's starting to fuss. "Come on little girl, come to daddy." I encouraged. Melody waddled on the side of it to be direct from me. I swam towards her, reaching my hands up to her. "Can you jump in my arms?" I asked, dying to have her get in the water. " No. " She confirmed. I reached for her ankles, but she backed up. " No pool." She argued. I sighed and shook my head, " Could you at least put your feet in the pool sweetie? " She shook her head. "No story tonight then." I threatened. She looked pissed, but didn't move. "Fine, it was going to be your favorite too, but not anymore. Unless you get in the pool." I added. She stayed strong and didn't have one muscle move. "Fine you're lost. " I said and swam. Ashton came over to me, "Why isn't Melody coming in the pool?" He asked. "Because she's stubborn. " I answered. "Here take Peter, I'll get Melody in the pool." He said and I put his son on my shoulders as I watched Ash get out of the pool.

"Hi Melody, why aren't you getting in the pool?" He asked. She spoke up, " I don't like water. It's cold and I don't to get wet. Water isn't fun." She stated. "I think it's fun You get to go swimming and you can even jump in it and make a big splash. It's not even that cold. " He explained. "No. I don't like swimming" He attempted to grab her, but she backed up. " You're wet." (She's 2, innocent mind) She said, avoiding her favorite uncle. Luke and Calum giggled quietly at her innocent saying. I glared at both of them and they stopped. Ashton stood up and got a hold of her causing her to drop the towel. She wriggled and fussed as he got in the shallow end of the pool. "No, no water. no pool, no swim. No no no, " She looked frightened at the water as Ash went to the shallow end. "Please please no Ashy. I don't like water. Please no!" She begged, close to tears as he got deeper into the water. "Ashy stop!" He was just where her feet were about to touch as he carried her with a tight grip on him. Melody looked at me with tears starting to fall down her face. "Help me, Daddy. " She whimpered. it was clear, she did not like the pool at all. " Here, take him," i said to Luke, handing Peter over, and went to my daughter.

I sighed and took her in my arms. She clung onto me for life. " I'm here baby girl. " I gently said and walked to the steps. I sat down on the third one with her by my side, her small feet splashing the water. " You really don't want to go in the water do you? " I softly asked. She shook her head, " Do you want to play here on the steps for awhile?" Her hazel eyes looked into mine, "Yes please." She replied with a smile. I knew Ash had some toys for Peter in his bag. "Stay here, I'll be back." I swam to Ash, "Hey do you mind if I borrow some toys for Melody?" "Go ahead. " He said. I grabbed an octopus, rubber duck, and fish, and brought them over for her to play with. I let her have get fun before I started blowing bubbles. She giggled and told me to do it again. After a few times, I asked her to blow buddles, she put her mouth to the water and blew.

I grabbed her hands and softly brought her out into the water. " Can you kick your feet for me?" She was confused about it, but did. "Keep kicking baby girl!" I cheered and she did. I walked backwards to keep her moving. "Okay, I'm going to let go at the count of 3. Then I want you to move your arms in and out if the water. okay?" She nodded. "One...Twoo......Three!" I let go and she was doing it! *doggie paddle* "Daddy look, I'm swimming!" She chirped. I smiled, "Yes you are baby girl!" I let her swim in the shallow park.

After a while the boys came over, and Ella took Peter back to the room for his nap. We had my daughter swim to all of us. "Go to Uncle Cal, Melody." He opened his arms for her. She had wicked look in her eyes and swam, but not to Calum, but to Ash. " I'm not Uncle Calum, silly!" He teased. She giggled at him. "Go to Calum not me," he laughed and pushed her towards him. "Hi Melody," He picked her up and threw her in the air a little before catching her. "Again, again!" She giggled. He did and she couldn't get enough. "Alright I'm done with that, but whose your favorite uncle?" She pointed at Ashton. She was set on her favorite, and not changing soon. "Fine, go to Luke. " He said disappointed. She swam to Luke and raised her arms, "Uppy." She confirmed almost in a hiccup.

I went behind them and grabbed her from behind. Melody made a gasp. "You're mine. " I said evilly. I had her wrap her arms around my neck and I swam towards the deep end. "We're going under water, so hold your breath and close your eyes." I warned. " Okay. " I counted to 3 and went under the water for a little bit then came to the surface. My daughter put her head on my shoulder, "Tired." She muttered. I got out with her on my back like a monkey. "Hey where you going!?" Calum exclaimed. " We're going to get our nap in Calum." I glared at him. I put Melody down on a chair and grabbed a towel then wrapped it around her. "Here we go baby girl. " I grunted and picked her up. " You did good today, little fishy." I said as we went in the elevator. She nodded in my chest with her eyes closed. "Do I get a story tonight?" She asked. I kissed her temple, "Any story you want." I stated as the elevator dinged open on the top floor.

I walked to the room and unlocked it. "Don't fall asleep yet. You need to get out of your swimsuit." I said and put her on the bed. "Otay." She said tiresome. "Stay here, I'll be out in a few seconds." I told her and went to the bathroom to change. I got out to see her fighting not to sleep. "Come here." I said and she slid off the bed next to me by the suitcases for me to change her so she can sleep. Right when I tucked her and told her goodnight, she was out like a candle in the wind.