It is as if time has stopped Eli and Leon saw Little Han for the first time. Even the guardians remained silent as they watched Little Han do his best to walk slowly toward his parents.
"Ah… my baby… come here…" Eli reached out her hands as her eyes were already warming up with tears. Her hands were also trembling from the very first sight of her son who could now walk on the very first steps.
Thud!
After two or three steps, Little Han fell on the carpeted floor, making everyone feel nervous. Eli was about to move towards Little Han which would actually be just a few steps for her.
But Leon held her back, as he pointed to Little Han who was now doing the same thing earlier, lifting up his cute body to stand and walk again.
"You can do it, my little godson!"
"Yes, you can!"
"Come here Little Buddy… a few more steps… Daddy and Mommy are waiting…"
Slowly, Leon and the guardians encourage Little Han to take a few more steps until he reaches Eli.
"Aye…. Mommi… Daddiii!" Little Han blinked twitch as he grinned with his baby teeth, looking at his parents excitedly.
Even after falling a few times, Little Han did not show any kind of disappointment, instead, he giggled and looked at his godparents and his mom and dad while getting up again.
The adults giggled with him and continually cheered him even more.
Five steps more… four… two… then the last step.
"Jihee hee~ Mommi!!!" Little Han paused after taking the last step and then he lifted up his chubby little hands and asked Eli to carry him.
Eli could not find the words to say, but her teary and proud expression said it all. With open arms and a heart full of longing, she hugged Eli and kissed him warmly.
"Good… job… such a good job…" She mumbled in between her tears of joy.
"Awummmm…" Little Han buried his head to Eli's neck as if he had been looking for his mommy's warmth all this time.
And then, with his head resting on his mommy's shoulders, Little Han tilted his head and looked beside him, his daddy was watching them with eyes full of contentment and happiness.
Little Han stretched his hand out and shook it like he was waving to Leon, "Daddi~~~"
"Hello… son… you did well…" Leon patted Little Han's head and kissed him dearly.
"Great guardians, I could not thank you enough for your favor! Your love and care for my son, I could not think of any way to compensate for it…" Leon then looked at the five guardians who were smiling at them with happiness as they saw the little family reunite.
"No biggie! No Biggie!!! In fact, having Little Han stay with us was the best moment ever…" Sylvain lazily waved his beautiful hands as he replied nonchalantly.
"Yes… the realm became livelier with him around…" Ignis followed with his serious face.
"It's all thanks to you though… We also get to see Little Han's first steps!" Celeste also commented.
"As for me, I can always go down and visit my awesome godson!! Of course when I am free~" Zale pumped his chest proudly as he looked at Little Han, who in reply, sat straight from his mommy's embrace then cutely immediate what Zale had just done.
"Hmm.. Hmm!!" Little Han said with his face trying to look serious and determined.
Everybody chuckled when they saw his gesture.
"Before you leave, take these things with you… I am sure you will be able to use it for Little Han… and for another baby in the future~~" Celeste waved her hand and instantly the baby things around them disappeared and a cute space pouch appeared.
"Th-thank you for your grace, Great Guardian Celeste…" Eli became flustered at Celeste's Little tease. Leon on the other hand flinched as he looked away in awkwardness too.
"Ohh… don't forget about this little guy…" Zale then waved his hands and a blob of water hovered midair. Inside it was the book of knowledge, which was surprisingly looking fine even if it looked like it was soaked in the water.
"Wisey might wake up sooner than expected… but the book's functionality remained the same. She had replenished enough spiritual energy in the realm so it is alright for you to take her back. You just wait for her to 'hatch' again…" Zale explained thoroughly.
"Thank you so much…" Eli did not spare every word of thanks to the guardians for all the help she got from them. The guardians also smiled as they accepted her thanks.
Leon stepped forward and took all the things as Eli's hands were full carrying Little Han. Then he looked at the guardian and told them about the birthday party they will be holding for Little Han.
Although the guardians looked like they really would want to go, they shook their heads and told them to pass, of course, they told the couple that they also got Little Han a gift. It was a royal blue gem necklace that fits perfectly on Little Han's neck.
"Have him wear it every time, this contains blessings from the three of us, and do not worry about its size… it would grow with Little Han as well," Ignis explained the nature of the gift to Eli and Leon.
"By the way Leon, may I have a word for just a moment?" Sylvain and Celeste looked at Leon.
Exchanging looks with each other, Leon nodded and left Eli to bond with Little Han for a while as the guardian's exited for a moment to talk to Leon.
Eli wondered what they talked about, but she thought that it was probably some matters regarding the Empire.
Sitting on a comfortable chair that magically appeared around her, Eli sat and took Little Han on her lap.
"My Little One… mommy missed you so much…" Eli started to converse with Little Han like a mother who finally saw her child whom she deeply longed for.
Little Han mumbled and talked some gibberish and little words to respond to his mommy like he was also trying to communicate all that he had experienced in the realm.
"Aye!!" As they converse, Little Han seemed to have remembered something and pulled out his own little space bag. Then reached into the bag and took out a piece of soft cookies baked by his Godma Celeste.
"Yummmyy… yummyyyy…" Little Han looked at Eli with his bright crystal blue eyes and offered her the cookie. To prove that it was yummy, he even pinched a little bit of it and wore a delighted expression.
"Is it? Then mommy will try…" Eli let out a light chuckle as she took a bite of the cookie, it was indeed sweet, with a texture that was a little softer than the normal chewy cookies, perfect for kids like Little Han. "Umm! Baby is right! It was really yummy!"
"Yeyyyy!" Little Han was so elated that Eli liked the food he wanted to share with him. Soon the realm was full of giggles and lighthearted chuckles from the mother and son.
After some time, Leon and the rest came back and the little family was now ready to go.
Saying their thanks and goodbye, the three stood in front of the portal. However, just as they were about to step. Little Han suddenly wiggled and leaned in the direction of the guardian.
Startled, Eli and Leon paused to figure out what Little Han would do.
Little Han kept leaning forward while looking down. Making Eli think that Little Han wanted to walk again. She cast a look towards Leon asking if it was okay, then Eli allowed Little Han to stand on the ground.
As soon as his feet touched the ground, Little Han tried his best to walk slowly toward the five guardians who did their best to take care of him even though they were full of responsibilities as a guardian too.
The guardians could not help but gasp in surprise and warmth as they saw Little Han coming toward them while mumbling, "Tayku… gobma…gobpa… Taykuu~~"
If guardians could cry… they might be crying right now. But their emotions were about to burst with happiness as they saw their little godson walking towards them as he called them out so sweetly.
Then a moment flashed back at them, in the same place, Eli asked if the three of them would like to be Little Han's godparents.
The moment they heard Eli's offer, they imagined themselves carrying a cute little baby, the baby growing to become able to walk towards them and call them 'godma/godpa!' with a cute childish voice.
Ever since Little Han stayed in the Guardian's Realm, everything that they imagined happening to them by being Little Han's godparents came through.
Especially this moment.
The moment Little Han walked towards them and called them godma and godpa so dearly.
All of them thanked the heavens that they said yes to Eli's offer back then, for if not… they would never feel this full and happy!