“Come on, Rett, it’s just water!”
Gath looked out of place, standing in the water of a communal swimming pool. Mostly because he was the only adult Rethan there. While it was a public pool, the main visitors were Skyavok, floating around in inflatable rings in the deep end of the pool.
“But it is deep!” Rett was sitting on the edge of the pool, kicking the water with her little feet. They were currently in a separate pool meant for kids, and the water was particularly shallow.
Gath splashed over towards Rett, the water being not even close to knee-height. For Rett though, the water would have gone up to her chest, if she actually got in.
“It is not deep. Look how high it goes up my legs.”
“It is deep!”
Gath sighed, then picked Rett up. She was still so tiny in Gath’s massive arms. “Alright, how about I lower you in gently? Then you can see how deep it is.”
“Okay…”
Gath did as he said he would, lowering himself down, although it was quite difficult to do so. Rett wriggled as she touched the water, but quickly calmed down. The water was quite warm. Gath rotated Rett so her feet could touch the bottom of the pool.
“Oh. It is not so deep!” Rett seemed to settle down now that she could stand up properly. She took some slow, awkward steps, then made her way to the edge of the pool, where the ladder was.
“Where are you going, baby?” Gath asked.
“I want to jump in.”
“It is too shallow to jump in, dear…” Gath grabbed Rett and picked her up. “But we can do something else.”
Rett wriggled a bit more, but started giggling as Gath bounced her up and down into the water, making some big splashes.
“Alright, do you want to try swimming now?” Gath asked.
“Is it hard?”
“No, not really. You need to use your arms and legs. Kick your legs and paddle with your hands.”
“But I might sink?”
“That is why you use both your arms and legs, to keep you afloat.”
Rett hesitated a little.
“Do not be scared, I have you. I will lower you down slowly.”
Gath did as he said, very slowly lowering Rett so she was level with the water, holding her by the stomach so her limbs were free.
“Go on, start kicking!”
Rett immediately did as she was told, making big splashes with both her arms and legs. Gath held her for a moment, then gently let go, ready to catch her if she started sinking. To their surprise though, Rett stayed afloat and kicked her way across the pool, bumping into the edge.
“Wee!” Rett grabbed the edge, then stood up straight. “Again!”
Gath grinned, then waded over, picked Rett up again, then carried her back to the middle of the pool. He gently rested Rett in the water
This time, Rett kicked even harder, making a huge splash as she travelled through the water. Again, she crashed into the side of the pool, then stood up straight. She looked at Gath, then leaned forward and tried swimming again, back towards her mother.
“Am I doing it?” Rett shouted among the splashes.
“You are!” Gath beamed as he grabbed Rett and pulled her into a large hug. “I knew you could do it!”
“Yay!” Rett giggled. “It is fun!”
Gath held Rett tight, then put her down on the edge of the pool. “It is fun! Now, I promised you an ice cream. Do you still want one?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, let us dry off, and we can go to the cafe and get ice cream.”
Rett giggled, then hugged Gath. “I love you, mummy.”
“I love you too, Rett.”