Two Pink Lines

chapter 16: my town

"Happy nine months," Joe leaned over, placing a small kiss on Taylor's head.

Taylor smiled, "Happy nine months."

Their now nine-month-old son whined on the floor, wanting more attention. He was crawling now, and if he had support he could walk. Joe picked him up, "Hey there buddy."

James laughed excitedly, "Dada."

He was starting to speak in full words, and just like Taylor and Joe both did when they were kids, had already begun to put together short two-word sentences. Taylor and Joe had been coaching him to say different words, hoping that hopefully he would soon learn them. He was actually quite advanced for his age, despite being a premature baby.

Joe smiled at him, "Can you say... blanket."

"Banket," James spit out.

"What about, pi-a-no," Joe enunciated each syllable clearly.

James paused for a moment, "Pi-ah-no."

Joe grinned, "Good job!"

Taylor watched the interaction, filming it. James rolled around on James lap, he was still small for his age. James squeaked, which could almost resemble humming. Joe looked towards Taylor, "How much do you bet he'll be musical like you?"

Taylor smiled softly, "He does seem pretty interested in the piano and guitar whenever we play for him."

Joe rubbed James back gently, "Yeah."

James began to whine again, so Joe set him down on the floor, letting him roll around. James hit his hands on the ground, "Sand!"

"Sand?" Joe questioned.

"SAND!" James said louder.

"I think he means stand," Taylor said after a moment of confusion.

Joe nodded, sitting down on the floor. He helped James up, helping him lean his weight against the coffee table. Taylor continued to filmed, as Joe supported James with a hand on his back. "Okay, let go now?" Joe asked James.

James didn't reply, focused on his feet. Still, Joe slowly removed his hand from James back, letting him use the coffee table to support himself completely. He still sat close by, just in case he fell.

Joe had a moment of panic as James let go of the table, walking completely by himself. Joe's jaw dropped, turning to Taylor, who had filmed the moment. James walked over to Joe, collapsing into his lap, giggling.

Taylor stopped filming, going over to them and hugging James, "Good job Jam! You did it!"

"You did it!" Joe repeated, joining in on the hug.

James had no clue what he did, but enjoyed the attention. He soon got bored of the hug, and crawled out, back towards his toys. Taylor's eyes were watery, and she turned to Joe, who's face was full of emotion.

She hugged Joe tightly, "God I love you so much."

Joe rubbed her back, "I love you too."

They turned to James, who was still crawling around on the floor. "I can't believe he's almost one," Joe said, smiling.

"I know, it went by so fast, it's crazy," Taylor replied, leaning her head on his shoulder.
_______________________________
Two Months Later

James sat at the piano, banging on the keys. Taylor sat next to him, making sure he didn't fall off of the bench. Joe sat on the other side of James, "Do you think he'd want to start taking lessons when he's a little older?"