CAUTION: If you haven't read The Shadow Throne, you might want to do that before reading this. It has spoilers!

It was late. I was pacing the floor of my office rapidly. How was she? Was she alright? Another scream erupted from down the hall and I charged the vigil who was stationed by the door.

"I've had enough of this. Let me see her!" The vigil would not let me pass and that only infuriated me more. "She is my wife and I am your king! I order you to let me pass!" I shouted again. Still, the vigil wouldn't move. I cursed the vigil's mother for having a boar of a child, which he did not seem to appreciate.

A gentle hand was placed on my arm and Mott stood next to me with an amused look on his face. "Jaron, she'll be fine. The nursemaids promised that they will get you when it was all done."

I brushed his hand off my arm, "No, Mott, she's not fine. She's screaming in pain!"

"She's having a child. Relax."

After Imogen and I had married, it was clear everyone expected an heir to the throne as soon as possible. We, however, took our sweet time and didn't really try for a baby until after our 18th birthdays. Honestly, how could I raise a child if I still saw myself as one?

From the back of my office, Tobias hung by the window sill and asked, "Was I this paranoid when Amarinda had William?"

Mott turned around and nodded, "Yes."

"Oh, that's not fair. I am not as bad as Tobias was." I said while turning back to glare at them.

Mott chuckled, "Okay, you aren't, but it's getting close."

Tobias and Amarinda did not wait to have children and shortly after they were married, they were expecting a baby boy. William was loved by all and especially by his parents. It's hard to have a single conversation with Tobias or Amarinda without them mentioning something new he has done or something cute they adore about the boy. As much as it annoys me, I probably won't be much different when my own child arrives.

When Imogen first told me she was pregnant, I had no idea what to feel. Of course, I was thrilled and had fun telling everyone the news, but in the back of my mind I was afraid.

I could see how foolish it was to think that way. How could one be afraid of an unborn baby? But here I was, every night thinking about what kind of a father I would be. Every day watching the baby grow and as he or she did, my anxiety grew with it. Imogen could sense my fear and tried to comfort me by saying that my kingdom loved me, why couldn't my own child? Although her efforts were valiant, they were in vain. Just look at my own father! I hated him for most of life and now I was becoming one. What if my child hated me as much as I hated my father? I mean, there was a chance of redemption; I could be a father like Harlowe.

Harlowe: my prime regent and more of a father to me than my actual one had been. When he first heard the news, he could not have been happier. His face grew bright as a giant smile spread across his cheeks and he gave me a tight embrace with a heart filled congratulations. I wish I had woken him up to wait with us, but I knew he needed the rest.

Another chorus of screams echoed down the halls and Mott had me sit down to help me relax.

I couldn't tell if I was being tortured or Imogen. Obviously, she was going through a lot more pain than myself, but if I could only tell the nursemaids all of our country's secrets then maybe Imogen wouldn't have to go through labor.

Finally, I could not take it any longer. My wife needed me and I was going to be there for her. Just as I escaped Mott's grasp, charged the door vigil and pushed him out of way, a nursemaid appeared. She beamed at me as the news spilled from her mouth, "The new princess has arrived, Your Majesty. Congratulations."

There was a cheer from somewhere behind me coming from Mott and Tobias, but I couldn't hear them as I sprinted down the hall way. The nursemaid called after me. Something about how the queen wasn't decent, as if that thought should deter me from entering. I think I've seen my pregnant wife naked before.

As I approached, I heard a new sound coming from the bedroom. A sound that made my heart beat faster and harder in my chest. The sound of a baby's cry. I had only just got my right foot inside door when the head nurse started to push me out again.

"Wait," a soft voice came from the mound of crumpled bed sheets. Imogen was sweaty and looked exhausted, but she was still the most beautiful face I had ever encountered and, might I add, completely decent. In her arms was a small bundle where the cry came. "Let him in."

As much as it annoyed the head nurse, she let me in anyway. I took slow steps towards my wife and our daughter. I could hear my heart beat in my ears, my hands were shaking, I was more nervous than if I had rode into battle with nothing but my bare hands to defend myself.

I came to the bed's side and stole a glance of my daughter. Immediately a new feeling of love filled my entire body. I couldn't contain my love for this little creature and tears spilled from my eyes.

"She's beautiful," I mumble as I stare down at my weeping child. "How could the saints part with an angel so precious?"

Imogen smiled softly and asked if I would like to hold her. A feeling of fear filled my heart, "Hold her? What if I drop her?"

"You have carried swords heavier than her and you wouldn't drop them."

"Should I hold our daughter like a sword then?"

That made Imogen laugh and I was glad to hear it after hearing nothing, but screams and moans from her all night. "Hold out your arms."

I did as I was told and Imogen carefully placed the baby in my arms. "You're right," I said as I held our angel close to me. "She does weigh less than a sword."

Never in my life had I felt such a greater love. Yes, I loved Imogen more than myself, but this was different. I would have gone to the gates of the devils and back for my daughter. I would have defeated countries and burned entire cities to protect her. No one was going to hurt my daughter and I would ensure that they didn't.

I played with the tuft of dark hair on top of her head as she finally finished weeping. I had hoped she would look more like her mother, but it was clear my hoping had failed. She looked like a little me. That would worry the regents I'm sure. Having one of me was enough to make anyone crazy, but two? The country could only hope that she had her mother's personality.

"She needs a name," Imogen said while resting her head on my shoulder.

I smiled softly and wiped the tears off my cheeks, "I would like her to have my mother's name, Erin. What was the name you liked so much?"

"Isabella."

"Erin Isabella?"

Imogen shook her head as she brushed the baby's hair with the gentle fingers of a new mother, "I was hoping Isabella would be her first name. I wanted her to have name without so much history."

I wasn't about to deny my lovely wife that small request. With a gentle kiss to Imogen's head, I stood and walked out into the hallway with my daughter still secure in my arms. A few vigils had appeared, awaiting to announce the name of the new royal.

"Please present her name as Princess Isabella Erin Eckbert II." The vigils bowed their heads then ran to give the announcement.

I had no idea if my parenting would be good or not, but in that moment I wanted nothing more than my daughter's happiness and safety. I guess if that's all I ever wanted, how bad of a father could I be?

That was my one shot! I might write more like these, but we'll have to see. I tried to capture everyones different personalities and I think I did a pretty good job. Thanks for reading!