Chapter Text
Jeremy and I were watching my great niece while her parents were out doing something I didn't really care enough to listen to them once they handed little Caroline over to us. Caroline had just turned one two months ago and she had already begun to pull herself up so it wouldn't be long, hopefully, before she started walking. Currently it seemed that she was fine with simply crawling around repeating 'Ja Ja' or 'Je Je' when she looked at us
"It's no use James. She's not going to even pull herself up let alone walk!" Jeremy sighs flopping on the couch. I was going to answer when I saw Caroline look at him before pulling herself up using the arm of my chair her gaze not leaving Jezza. She glances down at her feet before moving her tiny feet forward one foot in front of the other until she began walking. Her adorable little face lit up in a bright smile her wide brown eyes glittering as she stared at my mate and once she got halfway there she started repeating 'Je Je' again which caught his attention and his eyes widen before he puts his hands down to catch her when she falls
"That's right Carol! Come to Uncle Jezza!" he encourages her and she walks until she falls forward into his arms giggling. I grin as he picks her up and congratulates her "Did you bloody see that James?! She walked to me first!!!"
"I saw Jeremy. Don't get cocky; she still hasn't said her first word yet." I chuckle and my great niece turns to look at me repeating 'Ja Ja' reaching for me. I take her from Jeremy and she hugs me around my neck giggling then wiggles to be let down. Once I put her down she starts to walk everywhere and before long she started to pick up speed causing us to chase after her and it continued like this until Richard and Anyanna came to pick her up. As soon as her big brown eyes landed on her parents she ran as fast as her wobbly legs could take her before crashing into her mother's pants leg
"Oh my god, Uncle James you got her walking?!" my niece gasps
"Really it was Jezza who got her walking. He had given up and she decided to prove him wrong." I say smiling
"She's a Hammond alright. Can't say she's a May since she moves to fast to be related to Captain Slow." Jeremy says and I roll my eyes but ultimately ignore him
"I'm just happy that she's walking Jez." Richard says brushing Caroline's brown curls out of her face. It was at that point that their overgrown Labrador came bounding into my house causing the one year old to squeal in delight and fight to get down. Anyanna puts her down and Bosco hops up to Caroline letting her pet him before he darts away with her following him
"Oh lord, now we have to keep up with the both of them!" Richard fake groans with a big grin on his face
"It's worth it though Rich and thanks you guys." my niece kisses my cheek and hugs Jeremy
"It's not a problem sweetheart." I chuckle hugging her tightly. We chase down Bosco and Caroline then say our goodbyes and they were leaving.