𝑳𝒆𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅𝒚| ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ 2

Progress of Parenthood

***1 Week***

I sit on the bed, my knee bounces as Leon paces in front of me, the pregnancy test sits on the bed to my right, just waiting to be looked at. I take a deep breath, knowing this could be a massive shock for us both, especially since this wasn't part of the plan.

I pick it up, Leon stills and faces me, his eyes watching for my reaction.

"Oh my God." I whisper, my eyes filling with tears, but they're not out of guilt or sadness, I'm...

"Really?" Leon asks, his eyes brightening as his lips slowly tilt into a smile. It's infectious, so I grin and nod, showing him the positive test. A chuckle escapes him, then he launches himself into me, on his knees with his arms wrapped around my middle, both of us laughing and full of pure surprise.

"We're gonna be parents." I murmur, holding Leon's head to me as he buries his face into my stomach.

***4 Months***

"And you should also know that sushi sucks, I'd reccomend keeping away from that." Leon continues, pressing his lips to my stomach as I lie on my back in bed. He's been talking to the baby for the last hour, telling it random things, I think he's just excited and wants to meet our kid, and honestly it's adorable the way Leon keeps going.

"Just wait until I take you out on the bike, you're gonna love it-"

"Leon!" I scold but smile anyway, "You're not taking our kid out on that bike until they're at least sixteen."

He gives me a look as if I'm mad, then cups his hands over his mouth as he leans into my stomach more, "Shh, don't tell your mom when we do, she's a little overbearing."

I playfully whack his shoulder as Leon laughs and finally climbs further up the bed, his hand on my tummy as his other cups my face. "I love you, you know that right?"

I sigh contentedly as Leon leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "I love you too."

***Nine Months***

I squeeze Leon's hand as hard as I can as I push, the pain is terrible but I'm on so much gas it's bearable.

"Just a few more." The nurse smiles, I scoff and take a breath, looking up at Leon as he strokes my forehead and gives me a reassuring nod.

I push again, whimpering from the pain. I squeeze Leon's hand harder, and look up to see him wincing.

"Shit, that's a little tight there honey." He curses, I scowl at him as he chuckles uncomfortably, as if realising I'm the one giving birth here.

Five minutes later our little girl comes into the world. She cries but only for a little while, and Leon's the first to hold her, as requested. She's tiny in his arms, and I've never seen him look so...proud. He smiles down at her, her hand wrapping around his pinky as he's quiet and taking in the moment, I swear his eyes tear up.

He looks up at me, "Our baby is so perfect." He whispers, then carefully he places her in my arms, never letting go of her as I hold my daughter for the first time.

***1 Year***

"Who's a good girl? Now just try some of this...uhhh, stuff." Leon coos, sitting at the kitchen table as our daughter happily sits in her high chair, food smeared all around her face.

I watch with amusement as Leon brings a spoon of something to her mouth, making silly faces as she opens wide and eats. I laugh, taking the seat next to Leon as he offers me the spoon, he's always so determined to let me share these moments, but I know he basks in these times so I let him continue.

"Right, now a few more-" Leon begins, but our daughter has other plans, she grabs a fistful of food and shoves it in Leon's face. We're all silent and shocked for a second before I burst out laughing, Leon doesn't look amused, but our daughter giggles and I decide daddy's done for today, so I take the spoon as Leon stands to go clean up.

"You," he says pointing a finger at her, "You're lucky you're cute and only 1, because I'm getting payback one day." He smiles, but leans down and kisses her head before going to the sink.

"Good girl." I coo, gently tickling her cheeks.

***3 Years***

I sit with our daughter in her bedroom, she sits behind me running a hairbrush through my hair a little roughly but I don't mind. I've already got about 20 bows knotted in, combined with a plastic tiara and some bright pink hair extensions.

"Wow, mommy's looking beautiful." Leon half teases from the doorway, looking smug as I narrow my eyes and discreetly flip him off. He laughs before coming in and sitting on the floor next to me, kissing my cheek as he links our fingers together.

"Hmmm, I think daddy wants some bows too." I say to our daughter, she nods and wastes no time grabbing a fistful of his hair, combing it this way and that before decorating it with colorful bows and clips, I grab a crown and plonk it on his head for good measure.

"So pretty!" Our daughter grins, clapping her hands as she opens her arms wide and throws herself at us. I wrap my arms around her as Leon envelopes us both into a massive hug.

"I think we're doing okay." Leon mumbles to me, lately he's been more confident about being a dad after a couple of rocky years having some worries.

Now is the best time to tell him. "Good. Because we're about to do it again." I whisper, looking down at my stomach and the second baby growing there.

***6 Years***

I walk hand in hand with our 9 year old daughter, I'm definitely her favourite parent. She skips as we walk, her bright blue eyes taking in every detail of the park as Leon walks ahead with our 6 year old son, who's currently talking Leon's ear off about what he wants to do in the future.

"And at school, I said I wanted to be a cop, I want to help people and take down the bad guys." He excitedly says. Leon's eyes widen, we haven't told our kids about Leon's past, so this is a weirdly ironic yet poetic coincidence.

"Yeah? I think you'd be great." Leon finally replies, before grabbing hold of him and running ahead, both of them laughing as our daughter stops to pick up some wildflowers.

We all eventually catch up at our usual spot, under a tree since there's a nice shade and safe view of the park. I lean on Leon's shoulder as he wraps an arm around me, both of us watch as our kids play and laugh.

"I can't believe you've given me this, I'm...thank you." Leon murmurs, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"I mean you helped out," I tease, Leon playfully taps my nose as I smile, "thank you though, I've never been happier."

Leon smiles, pressing his lips against mine in a lingering kiss.

"Eeew!" Both our kids groan in unison, making us laugh and pull away.