Alex nodded impatiently, pacing back and forth in the family room of the sterile hospital.
"Calm down 'Lex" Chris muttered. "It's gonna be fine."
Alex shook his head, "Why didn't she want me in there? Why does she hate me now, of all times?" Chris chuckled, Alex's mother smiling softly. "Bethany is in pain sweetie, she doesn't know what she's doing, but she made you promise her and you are going to keep it." Mrs Shelley's voice turned stern and almost acidic at those words. Bethany didn't want the baby, and she hated Alex for lying to her, even though he never believed he had. It took him everything, cost him everything he had, to convince her to keep the baby and let Alex raise it. He was going to be a daddy in a few more minutes, he was going to be a single daddy. That thought finally struck him, but it was what Chris had been waiting for and ran to him, wrapping his arms around his best friend.
"I'm here" he promised, rubbing circles into Alex's back, attempting to calm him. "Don't worry about it daddy." Alex smiled at the nickname. Chris had always wanted children, but he knew he would give up every one of his dreams to have the one thing he wanted more then a family, more then wrestling, more then anything...and what he wanted was wrapped up in his arms right now.
The doctor came for Alex, telling him everything. Bethany had given birth to a very healthy baby girl. Alex had a daughter. He clutched Chris's hand, tears streaming his face. Mrs Shelley hugged her son, crying to but with a happy, bright smile on her face. It took Chris a few moments to realise he was crying too.
The doctor led them to the new born baby unit, Bethany demanding to be put in a room the farthest away from the birthing wards and she would be leaving tomorrow on her way to a different country. Alex didn't give a damn about her right now, he was solely focused on the tiny baby in the tiny pink baby-gro. He gasped, taking in everything from her perfect face, her slightly red skin, her thick brown hair, her tiny fingers and toes. Everything. She was perfect, there was no other way to describe her.
"Wow" Chris whispered smiling at Alex's tears, "She looks exactly like you." Mrs Shelley nodded her agreement. The doctor smiled, "You can pick her up now, if you'd like." Then added, "She can go home in 3 hours." Chris nodded and thanked him, Alex too beside himself when the baby was lifted and placed in his arms. He watched with tears in his eyes as she snuggled her face into his chest, her little mouth opening and shutting in a contented quiet sigh. He smiled and kissed her forehead, "Welcome to the world princess." He whispered lightly, smiling when Chris placed his finger on her cheek and gently stroked it. He looked at Chris, then to his new daughter and knew that he wasn't alone. He had seen it in Chris's eyes in that moment, that he loved his new goddaughter as his own, and that Alex would never have to be alone at all.
"Christa Alexandria Shelley."
