"First Words"

Mr. Peabody was working on important papers when he suddenly heard odd noises coming from Sherman's baby monitor.

Worried, he stopped what he was doing and went to go check on his son.

"Sherman, are you alright?" Mr. Peabody asked quietly when he walked into Sherman's room. He wasn't expecting a full answer from the toddler, but he knew that Sherman was due to begin speaking soon.

"Bababa," Sherman cooed, reaching his little arms out to touch Mr. Peabody's nose. They couldn't reach the soft, wet snout, but Mr. Peabody gladly bent down into the crib so Sherman had the pleasure of hugging his father.

Mr. Peabody smiled and the two stayed in place for a moment until he decided to let the young child go back to sleep. Gently prying Sherman's tiny hands away from his nose, Mr. Peabody turned and started to leave.

"Daaaa…"

Mr. Peabody stopped short, instantly realizing that, indeed, Sherman was about to say his first word, and it was the one word that didn't sit well with him. He'd heard many other children calling their parents "dad" or "mom" and had laughed on the inside at how ridiculous both of those names sounded. He was a professional and had promised himself never to submit to being called by anything other than his current title.

"No, Sherman," he said firmly, heading back towards the crib and looking down at the smiling child. "Mr. Peabody."

"Rrrrrrr," Sherman replied, almost in a growl.

"That's it!" Mr. Peabody praised, not surprised. After all, he knew his son would grow up to be a quick learner.

"Dada."

Mr. Peabody groaned faintly to himself, imagining how irritating life would be to have Sherman continuously call him by that one confounded name.

Slowly and lightly as he could, Mr. Peabody picked up Sherman from the crib and held him tenderly in his arms, trying to stay calm. If Sherman had chosen another term as his first, Mr. Peabody would have been bursting with excitement. He looked into Sherman's eyes, trying desperately to convey the message he wanted to send.

"Mr…" he began, waiting for Sherman to answer.

"Rrrararr," Sherman babbled back. Mr. Peabody nodded, hope swelling in his chest. He was surely getting the hang of it!

"Peabody," Mr. Peabody finished.

Sherman's eyes blinked as he looked up at his father, face seeming to contort in concentration.

"Pea pea," Sherman suddenly giggled, reaching his arms out again. Mr. Peabody just stared at his son in shock, but then he chuckled.

Well, it's a start.