David sighed as he held the tiny bundle of blanket in his arms. In it held a newborn, his newborn.
Tufts of curly honey blond hair poked out of the pale blue blanket, and the child's huge green eyes looked curious, but sleepy. Tiny lips pursed into a pout.
The child was just born, maybe 4 hours ago, at most. And yet, he was already cast off by his mother.
David knew that's what she wanted. She was going back to Vienna, Austria as soon as the doctor cleared her safe to leave. It was already discussed months ago. Yet, it made David mad. He hoped that maybe, just maybe. She would have changed her mind when their son was born. Maybe she would gather up the courage to leave her abusive husband, and finally be with David once and for all, forever. They had a child together now.
And David loved Nattie. But Nattie only used him, and David knew this. Yet, David let everything happen, because he was blindly in love with the Austrian Vampire Queen, and thought that maybe just maybe after the baby was born, she would want to stay and have a family, with David.
But she didn't want that life. She wanted the child to be born, and she wanted to get back to her vein little upperclass European vampire life style. She didn't need a "cave vampire" and a baby to cramp her style. Yet, David knew she would use the child as a conversation, like it was the season's in accessory.
David looked up at the florecent hospital lights, then down to the shiny tile floor. He sunk into a plastic chair, and sighed once more. He gave the baby a gentle hug.
"It's gonna be okay, Marko. Trust me. Mommy might not want you, but don't worry, Daddy will take care of you. I promise, Marko."
The baby looked so much like his mother, and it killed David slightly. A constant reminder of the woman who never wanted more than his sperm to make a baby she didn't want anyway.
David was often so cool and collected when it came to emotions, but something about the tiny body in his hands, and the events that happened over the last 9 months, got everything swirling around.
It confused David to no end. Why did Nattie want David to impregnate her? Why did Nattie have no desire to start a family with him? Why is Nattie leaving him to raise the tiny vampire they created together?
Marko started to fuss, causing David to feel some level of emotional distress. He didn't know much about the tiny life in his hands, but he knew damn well he didn't want it to ever feel upset.
"Sushhh, sushhh." David cooes, and strokes a long finger alongside the baby's soft little cheek. "Daddy is here, little Marko."
A nurse soon walks into the room, and takes the baby from David. She promised to return him once he was cleaned and fed. While David was glad he had a free moment to go downstairs and smoke, he didn't like leaving Marko in someone else's care, even if it was someone who specialized in that sort of thing.
As David stepped outside into the smoking section of the courtyard, a man in his early 30's approached him.
"New dad?" The stranger asked, lighting up a Newport.
"Yeah." David light up his Marlboro. "Yeah, I am."
"Third and fourth for me. Twin girls."
"A boy. A little boy."
"I have two of those at home with my mother. A 6 year old and a 3 year old. Rambunctious little men. But I don't think I was much different at that age."
David smirks slightly, unsure of what to say. David couldn't remember his childhood, as it was so long ago. What if he couldn't connect to Marko's youth?
"My boys did inherit my Ninja Turtle and Star Wars love, so that's pretty cool." The man states, obviously just trying to make small talk.
David didn't remember what he liked as a child. Were there any cartoons or toys he held a fondness of that he could share with Marko? He did not know.
"I grew up without a TV, and I can't really afford one now, so I don't think my baby will be much into that kind of stuff." David states, making up the words as they came out of his mouth. He knew he sounded like one of those annoying mothers who fed the kids organic only and allowed them to play with stuffed animals made out of old socks.
"Bringing a baby into poverty is rough man."
"I wouldn't call it poverty. I do well for myself and my brothers who live with me. We have a good sized dwelling, and we never miss a meal." David licks his lips, this man would make a good meal.
But suddenly David was hit with a twinge of empathy. The man was a father; just like David now was. He thought of little Marko, and even the man's twin daughters. What if the twin girls mother pushed them away too?
Normaly, David wouldn't have gaven a shit. He was hungry and had to feed soon, but he thought of the children for once. And decided that maybe a cheeseburger would do for now.
"Well man, I should be heading back up to my wife and little girls. Good luck on the baby."
"Thank you. You too." David nods and flings his cigarette into the parking lot.
He was going to get a cheeseburger and take Marko home. And maybe, just maybe do some hunting.