Auggie was the luckiest man in the world. He had a great job, the most beautiful wife alive, and the perfect baby girl. The past ten months had been the best of his life. Preparing to have a baby was difficult; many times Auggie feared that raising a child was one of the few things he couldn't do. But Annie, his wonderful, lovely Annie, always convinced him otherwise by gently helping him to find ways to navigate through a challenging task. And, almost in spite of himself, Auggie enjoyed helping Annie to pick out quilts and clothes for the baby that had interesting textures while still being soft, as well as learning to change diapers and swaddle the practice dolls. Then, after a grueling 17 hour labor, Sarah Jane Anderson was born, and Auggie fell in love again. From the second Auggie held the tiny bundle in his arms, gently running his fingers over her face, he felt his heart swell in size to accommodate more love than he ever thought he would feel.
Now the love in the room was almost tangible as Auggie heard Annie softly sing and rock their newborn daughter. He stood in the door of the nursery listening to her, certain she didn't know he was there.
"Hush my baby, don't say a word," Annie sang in her sweet, soprano voice as she swayed around the room, "Momma's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Auggie's gonna buy you a diamond ring."
Auggie started a bit when he heard his name. Then he became aware that Annie was staring straight at him, smiling. Her soft tinkering laugh rang out and she approached him, placing the hand not holding their baby to her chest on his arm.
Auggie smiled mischievously, "Why is it that I'm the one buying the diamond ring?"
Annie planted a soft, short kiss on Auggie's lips, "because you're the one with the trust fund." She said playfully but quietly, their daughter apparently asleep.
"Then we better be sure that mocking bird sings," Auggie stroked the feathery hair adorning the crown of the baby's head, "I wouldn't mind buying you a diamond ring eventually Love," he addressed the sleeping baby, "but I would prefer to wait until after you finish teething."
Annie's laugh and a contented yawn from Sarah were his only replies.
