Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Oh, shit,” Baker breathes. “She’s going for it.”
My heart slams against my ribs so hard I’m surprised everyone can’t hear it. I force myself to stay calm, even though every instinct in me wants to scoop her up and hold her steady. This sweet baby girl is about to take her first step.
“Someone, hell, all of you, record this,” I command, while keeping my tone even. “I’m afraid to yell for Amanda, and if she does it, I don’t want her to miss this.” I hear movement, and I know everyone has their phone pointed at this sweet girl.
Mia giggles a bright, bubbling sound that hits me square in the chest. She shifts her weight and takes one careful step while still holding on, then another. Her fingers grip the edge of the coffee table as she makes her way down the length of it, determination written all over her tiny face. She pauses halfway and glances up at me like she needs reassurance.
“You’re doing so good, baby girl,” I whisper, my voice thick.
She resumes her slow shuffle, both hands clutching the table again as she toddles to the end. When she gets there, she’s maybe two feet from me. Two feet that suddenly feel like a mile.
“Are you recording?” I ask without looking back. I want to scream for Amanda, but I’m scared to death to break the magic of this moment.
A chorus of “Yes, Coach” rings out. I swallow back a laugh, blinking fast because I did not expect to get emotional over this. Not like this.
“Okay, Miss Mia,” I say softly, holding my arms out wide. “It’s your move.”
She looks at the distance between us. Then at me. Then back at the distance. Her brow furrows in concentration, lips pursed like she’s calculating something serious. She bounces on her legs, as if she’s trying to get them to move, but she’s still holding on to the table.
“Come and see me, pretty girl,” I coo, my voice gentle. “You’ve got this,” I encourage her, not that she understands me. Then again, maybe she does.
She squeals, delighted with herself, or maybe at my praise, and removes her hand from the table.
My breath stalls as I watch her.
She wobbles, windmilling her arm for balance, and for a split second, I think she’s going down. A collective gasp fills the room, but she manages to steady herself. She looks over at me and grins as her tiny foot lifts, hovers, then comes down in front of her.
One step forward.
She sways again, eyes wide now, surprised by her own bravery. I keep my arms open, forcing myself not to lean forward and offer her my hand as assistance.
“That’s it, Mia. Come on, baby,” I encourage her. She stands on her own, looking from me to her little feet, debating her next move.
The second step is faster, less certain. Her knees wobble, but she manages to steady herself yet again.
“Look at you,” I say, feeling emotions well in my throat. “One more,” I say, holding my arms wide open. This time, I scoot in a little closer, making the journey shorter. She reaches her arms out for me, but I pull back just a little. “One more. You can do it.”
The third step is hurried, and she pitches forward, but I’m there to catch her, pulling her into my arms and holding her tightly against my chest. She giggles again, and I swear my heart feels too big for my chest.
I let out a laugh that sounds suspiciously like a choked sob as I lift her up, holding her high while she shrieks in triumph.
“Mia.” Amanda’s voice is close. I turn to see her dropping to her knees next to me. “Look at you, my big girl. Come here.” She reaches for her daughter, and Mia goes willingly into her mom’s arms. Amanda smothers her face with kisses, and the two laugh. I smile, watching them celebrate and sending up a silent thank-you that I was here for this moment.
“She did it!” someone yells.
“Go, Mia!” Baker adds, like he can’t believe what he just witnessed.
Mia turns as if she’s looking for something, and when her eyes land on mine, she reaches for me again. I hesitate, but Amanda nods and allows me to take her while she wipes at her cheeks. Her smile is radiant, and I wish more than anything that I could hold both of them.
Instead, I press my face into Mia’s soft hair, breathing her in. My heart feels like it’s grown three sizes in the last thirty seconds. She pats my cheeks with both hands, babbling proudly, like she knows she just conquered the world.
“You did it,” I whisper against her temple. “I’m so proud of you, baby girl.”
Behind me, everyone is still celebrating. Coral and Camden come rushing over, so I take a seat on the floor, and they climb onto my lap with Mia, telling her how good she did. Mia claps when Camden and Coral do, and my eyes find Amanda’s. She’s smiling and crying, and my hands ache to hold her.