He stood there watching her with baby to her breast. He had always known that Carter was a remarkable woman but now, now. To him, she was the bravest and strongest among them. He watched her in pain, for hours, saw the agony of the delivery, and saw the blood loss. When the child was placed on her chest, all but the babe were forgotten. And now, not 24 hours later, she sat up in the bed feeding the tiny girl and he felt his old leathery heart swell with…what… joy, hope, contentment, a tinge of fear. And he felt like a sap, afraid the emotions might overwhelm him and leak out his eyes. He did not cry.
Today, there was more hope in the world. Today, we all had a second chance. Today, this child, as do all the children of men, held the power to bring good or ill into the world. Today, he prayed to all the powers in the vast heavens to bless and protect this little one and he vow to do his part. He bent down to kiss the downy head of his daughter and that of her mother's.