The sleek, wingless aircraft buzzed around the airfield, performing gravity defying loops and rolls. �Tower, we are making final approach,� the crackling voice said. The orange-nosed vehicle swooped down and shuddered to a halt midair in front of the hanger door�

�Come on, Johnny, eat for Daddy!� Connor pleaded in a normal parental tone.

�Pbbt!� The 9 month-old infant raspberried.

Rachel sipped her coffee, savoring the taste of the brew along with the look of consternation on her father�s face.

�Stop looking so smug, Rachel.�

�I thought you would have gotten the hang of it by now � have you tried the choo-choo train and the tunnel recently?� she chuckled.

His glower was belied by the twinkle in his eyes, and the twitch of his mouth. �You were never this difficult.�

�I was a little older when we found each other, and you�ve accused me plenty of times of being difficult. Face it -- we just take after you, Dad.�

John MacLeod demanded attention by pounding both hands on the tray of his high chair. His father looked at him and offered the spoon of baby food carrots again.

�Pbbt!� the baby responded once more.

�He doesn�t talk, but he knows that,� Connor complained. �Where the h�eck did he pick that up?�

�If you would stop watching cartoons with him�� Rachel began but she was quickly cut off.

�I�ll give up a lot of things for my children, but not the cartoons, so get that idea out of your pretty head right now, young lady!�

�Yes, Daddy,� she grinned.

�Dada,� John echoed, pounding the table in emphasis, and his father and sister both looked at him and then at each other.

�Did he�?� Connor wondered.

�Di di.� John smeared the carrots on the edge of his mouth up into his dark hair, ignoring his father�s moan.

�Daddy,� Rachel prompted the baby.

�Dah di � pbbt!�

Connor looked concerned, but Rachel only laughed. �He�s got your number, Dad.�

�Well, wait until I start him on the Three Stooges�nyuk, nyuk nyuk!�

John, entranced by the new sound, opened his mouth for the carrots. �Gotcha!� said his dear old dad.

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