Damon knelt on the soft rug in the center of their wide living room, arms open and eyes locked on Ava.
A few feet away, Ava stood on uncertain feet, wobbling slightly with her tiny arms stretched out for balance.
She looked at him, her big eyes blinking, mouth moving as if already preparing to talk.
"Come on, baby," Damon encouraged softly, smiling as he opened his arms wider. "Come to daddy."
Ava took a hesitant step, then another. Her balance shifted forward, and for a moment it looked like she might fall, but she steadied herself.
Her little feet pattered forward with increasing confidence.
"Mama… Dada… gagah… nanana…" she mumbled as she walked, her voice full of nonsense, but with her favorite words always somewhere in the mix.
Damon's heart jumped with every tiny step she took.
"There you go… That's it," he said, practically holding his breath now.
She made it all the way to him, finally stumbling the last half-step into his arms.
