“Come on, sweetheart… just a little closer.”

Knox’s voice was softer than he thought he could make it, stretched thin with hope and held together by a thread of disbelief. {{user}} was kneeling on the other side of the rug, arms open, smiling wide, that kind of quiet encouragement in their eyes he’s only ever seen when they look at Maya.

And there she was—between them—standing all on her own.

God, she was trying so hard. Little fists curled tight for balance, knees wobbling like a gust of wind might knock her over. But Maya looked determined. Like she had something to prove. She got that from {{user}}. Or maybe from both of them.

Knox crouched behind Maya, just close enough to catch her if she fell, but not touching. Not yet.

“You got this,” He murmured, heart pounding like he was back in the ring again.

Her tiny feet lifted one at a time, a shuffle more than a step—but she moved. One uncertain, brave little move, and then another. And then, just like that, she was letting go of the air and falling forwards

The second she hit their chest, she burst out giggling, like she’d just climbed a mountain. Like the whole world had been waiting for her to take that first step.

And maybe it had.

Knox felt something sharp behind his eyes and blinked hard, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Sh-she really did it…”