Halcyon

Growing Up Fast

Five minutes later Jack comes through from the kitchen with a bottle of warm milk for Maddison as the Nanny told them that she's due a feed before she left. Nikki sits watching Poppy play with her toys quietly as she turns to look at Jack who puts the bottle of milk down on the coffee table and walks over to a set of organizer draws and pulls a bib out of it for Maddison.

Nikki smiles and looks up at him, "I shall feed her" She smiles as she reaches for the bottle and tests the temperature. Maddison hears the bottle and instantly rolls from her stomach to her back and then sits up.

Both Jack and Nikki stop dead and look at Maddison who reaches out with her hands and attempts to grab the bottle but is too far away, she starts to get frustrated and starts to whine before bursting into tears. "Jack... she... she sat up... by herself" Nikki speaks in shock as she's overcome by a wave of emotion.

"See Mummy, I don't tell lies... she does tricks!" Poppy smiles proudly as she walks over to Maddison and kneels beside her and gives her a hug, "It's okay Maddie!" She smiles as she cuddles her little sister.

Jack smiles happily as he watches his daughter before they both snap out of their gaze, Nikki stands up and lifts Maddison up and holds her close as she carries her to the sofa and pulls the bib over her head as she sits down. Nikki grabs the bottle from the side and Maddison whines and grunts as she tries to reach for her bottle, Nikki lies Maddison back slightly and brings the bottle to Maddison's mouth.

Instantly Maddison snatches the bottle and feeds herself, "Alright Madam, I know you're hungry" Nikki smiles as she watches her daughter contently hold her bottle.

Jack comes and sits beside Nikki once he has made himself and Nikki a drink, he places the two mugs of coffee down on the coffee table and then sits beside Nikki who still has Maddison on her lap feeding her the bottle of milk. Jack places his arm around Nikki and pulls her into a hug, "Alright now? I've not seen you get emotional like that in a while" He speaks and plants a kiss on her cheek.

"Yes I'm fine now, she's growing up so quick, I don't think I can handle her being so independent" Nikki speaks as she glances at her partner.
"She'll be as independent as Pops soon," He replies.

Nikki sighs contently and looks at her three-year-old, "Don't remind me... She's four in four months" Nikki sighs contently.
"We have Christmas first," He chuckles.

Nikki sighs and then looks down at Maddison, "We will have to put the tree up soon, I can't wait to see Maddison's reaction to the lights, I hope her reaction was as priceless as Pops" Nikki smiles as Maddison finishes her bottle and attempts to throw it away.

She sits Maddison up and gently burps her, "Poppy's reaction was the best, it was her wee face when she saw the lights, I've never seen a seven-month-old stop dead as she did," He says as the reminisce of their first Christmas together as a family.

"When are we putting the tree up Christmas is in three and a half weeks" Jack adds with a smirk knowing Nikki hates how fast Christmas has come around although she is proud of herself this year as she has finished all her main Christmas shopping and just has her secret Santa to do.