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Eggsy coos praise as he holds onto Lee’s hands, gently easing his son up onto his feet. They’re fast approaching Lee’s first birthday, and Eggsy’s read in all those parenting books that they should be encouraging Lee to walk.
Harry walks into the living room, sees Eggsy kneeling on the floor with Lee clinging to him and sighs. “Eggsy, you can’t force him to learn to walk.”
“I know, ‘Arry,” Eggsy mumbles, pulling faces at Lee, who giggles happily. “M’just encouragin’ him.” Lee wiggles in Eggsy’s grip, trying to right himself. Eggsy coos again, fussing over their son. “That’s it, who’s a clever boy?”
Harry stands in the doorway watching them for a while, unaware of the fond smile on his face. Eventually he joins them, kneeling opposite Eggsy and joining in with the praise. “Good boy, Lee!”
For a few minutes, they’re the perfect image of a happy family - proud first-time parents fussing over their son, but Lee suddenly starts screaming and the illusion is shattered. Eggsy scoops him up immediately, just as Harry reaches for Lee’s bib and they move to the kitchen to feed him.
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They continue this for the next few days, Eggsy holding onto Lee’s little hands and helping him to take a few steps while Harry watches the two. Lee enjoys himself, laughing with his dads, little feet sliding on the rug in the living room.
“I wonder if he’d be able t’stand on ‘is own,” Eggsy wonders, making sure Lee is on the rug before he takes his hand from Lee’s. His son manages to stand for a few seconds, face scrunching up in confusion as to why his dad let go of him, before he plops to the ground, butt first.
Eggsy rushes forward, scooping him up and bouncing him on his hip. “That’s ma boy.” He grins, kissing Lee’s forehead. “You stood all on your own, who’s a clever boy? Tha’s right, it’s you.”
Lee grins and giggles, clapping his hands together while Eggsy fusses. Harry smiles, kissing his son’s hair and wrapping his arm around Eggsy. “He’s very intelligent, isn’t he? We’ll have him speaking French in no time.” He teases, and Eggsy laughs.
“One fing at a time, Harry.”
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They’re in the park when Lee takes his first proper steps. Harry’s holding on to JB’s lead, the pug jogging along happily next to him. Eggsy’s carrying Lee, explaining how to incapacitate a man without killing him while the boy cheers and laughs.
“Harry? D’you think he could walk? Let’s try’it.” Eggsy suggests, moving over onto the grass so Lee has a softer landing. He sets their son down, taking his hand and helping him stand up. Lee’s free hand finds its way into JB’s fur, and the loyal pug slows down to walk at the toddler’s pace. Eggsy encourages him, and soon Lee is putting one foot in front of the other, walking slowly with the support of his daddy and JB.
Harry beams with pride, fishing out his phone and filming Lee for a while. They make it halfway across the grass before Lee gets tired and falls over, landing on his front and making a shocked noise. Eggsy picks him up and dusts him off, kissing his nose. “You’re alright, ain’t ya? Yeah, my big tough boy, you’re fine. Takes more than that to rattle a Hart.”
They fasten him in his carseat and Harry cleans his knees with the wipes they’ve learnt to keep on them at all times since they brought Lee home from the hospital.
“He definitely takes after you.” Harry observes, starting the engine. “He manages to make a mess wherever he goes.”
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“C’mon Lee, you can do it!” Eggsy cheers as Harry lets go of Lee a half a meter away. “You can make it to Daddy, can’t ya?”
Lee lets out a shriek in happiness, arms out towards Eggsy as he takes an unaccompanied step towards the young man, Harry smiling and ready to catch him if he falls over.
“You’re almost there,” Harry encourages from behind Lee, the baby just steps away from Eggsy now. Lee wobbles for a moment before righting himself and collapsing right in Eggsy’s outstretched arms.
“You did it!” Eggsy exclaims, lifting Lee in the air as Lee squeals. “You walked all by yourself!”
“Maybe we can start working on his first word now,” Harry mentions, admiring the sight of his lover and child cheering with joy. Eggsy halts mid-lift, Lee dangling in the air as the young man processes the comment.
“Challenge accepted, isn’t that right Lee?” Eggsy coos, kissing the boy on the cheek.