Robin held Marian's hand as her contractions grew more and more frequent. The closer the baby came to being delivered, the more Robin feared Marian's grip would break the bones in his fingers.
"The baby is close now" Djaq said as if by reassurance. "One more push."
After one final struggle, a tiny voice screamed into the morning air.
"It's a girl!" Djaq smiled and the proud new parents began to cry.
As the makeshift midwife handed the recently cleaned baby to her proud mother, Marian had a certain glow about her that only a woman has after she has just delivered a child.
"She's beautiful!" She smiled as she cradled the newborn in her arms.
"Hello little one," Robin whispered as he bent down and kissed his daughter on the forehead.
Marian closed her eyes and rested her head on the bed's backboard. Ten hours of labor had completely drained her of any energy. Robin wrapped his arms around his wife and baby.
"I love you," he said before gently kissing his wife on the lips.
The newborn yawned and wriggled in her tiny bundle.
"I'll hold her if you want to sleep," Robin said.
Marian nodded gratefully and handed her fragile bundle to her husband.
The newborn looked up at her father as if ensuring she was in the right hands.
"I'm your dad," Robin said. "Your mum's going to rest for a bit, so you're stuck with me."
As if she understood, the baby girl closed her eyes and wiggled around to find a more comfortable position in her father's arms.
Robin kissed his daughter's forehead. She was so innocent, so clean. This world needed a new beating heart to spread goodness. She was less than an hour old, and already she had filled her father's heart with indescribable joy.
The baby yawned. Robin looked around. Marian was fast asleep, and Djaq had long since left. With no one besides his child to hear his voice, Robin decided to sing the only lullaby he knew in a tone just louder than a whisper.
I see the moon, the moon sees me
shining through the leaves of the old oak tree
Oh, let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.