Baby Steps

Late Winter, early Spring was a quiet time at Edna's Treasures. Sunday afternoon in March was just that, quiet. The sun porch with its well insulated and tempered glass kept out the frigid March winds. The long dining table, with its accompanying chairs were 'resting' along one side of the room allowing the wicker furniture more prominence. They wouldn't be needed until the next huge family gathering. The table blocked the side porch entrance but it didn't matter. The door was kept closed until the Spring thaw.

Brian loved this time of year. The room was cozy, his brother had guaranteed that with the installation of baseboard heating and special heating coils that ran under the slate flooring. Soft music was wafting through the air. Justin was painting on his 'studio' side of the porch. He was working on a large canvas that reflected the bleak gray skies of March but with the promise of Spring with hints of color. Justin happily painted, swaying with the music. Brian was lounging on a cushioned wicker chaise while, under the pretense of reading the newspaper, he indulged in his habit of Sunshine watching.

John also found the winter months relaxing. He had the time to design his special commissions and recharge his batteries after the long and arduous building season. He was resting on the accompanying chaise, catching up with the latest best selling mystery. Bobby was snoring softly at his side, cradled protectively by John.

The coming of Spring was the hardest on Bobby. As a business attorney who specialized in not for profit organizations and other charitable businesses, the tax season was the worst time of year. Bobby was exhausted. He pale skin took on an unhealthy pallor and there were dark circles under his eyes. He went to work early and got home very late. John demanded that he take the weekend off under penalty of being 'cut off' and whatever other threat he could muster. Brian added his own threats and glares into the mix. Justin assured the red-head that there was no use in fighting the Kinney men; he had better just go along quietly. John catered to Bobby and made sure the cottage remained calm and quiet so that Bobby could catch up on his sleep.

The children were happily occupied on a big thick futon cushion that was on the floor in the middle of the room in full view of their doting parents. Briana was soon to celebrate her first birthday, Patrick was four. Although typical children, they both appeared to understand the need for quiet time. Patrick was coloring in one of his books while Bree assisted him. Surrounding them were all of Bree's stuffed animals and in between helping Patrick, Bree kept up a steady conversation with her animal friends. A tray of their favorite snacks and juice was sitting on a nearby table. Both kids were dressed warmly but casual in little sweatsuits. Patrick loved wearing his thick wooly socks, a habit he had gained from his Dad, John. Bree, on the other hand, seemed to take after her Dada. If she wasn't wearing her baby shoes, Briana somehow kicked off her socks and remained barefoot.

Brian temporarily abandoned his perusal of his spouse's ample assets to watch the children at play. Patrick with his fiery red hair, concentrating on his coloring. Bree, babbling away, relaying some important fact to her doll, her little toes wiggling as she conversed. Brian, who had fallen hopelessly in love with his little princess the moment she was born, was completely enthralled by Bree's toes. He never spoke of it out loud, fearing ridicule, but Brian loved his daughter's feet and toes. He took every possibility to kiss and tickle the petite digits. Chalk up another guilty pleasure for big bad Brian.

It also seemed that Brian wasn't the only one in the family that was obsessed with Briana's feet. Or rather, with what her feet were supposed to help Bree do, walk. It appeared to Brian that every 'mother' in their family was becoming impatient with the fact that Bree was not yet walking.

"Justin was running at nine months!"

"Michael just picked himself up at ten months and walked out the back door."

"Gus was trying to take his first steps at eight months."

"WHY ISN'T BRIANA WALKING?!" That was the latest catch phrase and Brian was getting sick of hearing it. Claire was Brian's only ally other than the boys of Edna's Treasures.

"She'll walk when she's ready to walk," Claire would say to Brian.

Brian focused on Bree. She was sturdy, compact like her father. Her chubby baby thighs were hiding the muscles that would one day give him and Justin a run for their money and win Bree a soccer scholarship. 'Fuck them all,' Brian thought to himself. She'll walk when she's has somewhere to go. Brian smiled to himself then went back to Sunshine watching.

"Brian, look," John whispered as he softly shook Bobby awake. The men of the cottage focused their attention to the tiny blond tot who had crawled to the edge of the cushion and then with a mighty shove, pushed herself to her feet. Justin put down his brush as Brian put his paper on his lap. Everyone watched as Bree teetered but remained upright. All of her focus was on her bottle of juice that was on the table. Not wanting to frighten the child or cause her to lose her balance, the men tried to remain calm. Each man reached out ready to catch Bree if she fell. Justin slowly moved in closer.

Bree managed the few steps to the table but was way too short to reach her juice. Patrick, saw his fathers and his uncles all wearing the same very silly and sappy grin and doing nothing to help his cousin reach her juice. He gallantly got up off the cushion and went to his cousin's rescue. He handed Bree her bottle then gently guided the now exhausted tot back to the futon where she laid down and promptly fell asleep. Patrick gave his dads and uncle an exasperated look then curled around his cousin and fell sleep.

The men of Edna's Treasures giggled like school boys then each went back to his previous occupation.

Justin went back to his easel, quickly changing canvases then capturing the moment when his daughter took her first steps. Bobby laid back down burying himself next to John and began to softly snore. John picked up his book, kissed his spouse then resumed reading.

Brian had enough of his paper, took a small quilt off the back of his chaise to cover the children. He smiled lovingly at the treasures on the cushion then settled himself back onto his lounger to continue to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes, Sunshine watching.

So ends Baby Steps.

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