Author's Note: I know I haven't updated in awhile, but I hope that this chapter was worth it. Hold your breath, and here we go!
She stopped crying the moment her head was pressed against the crook of his arm. Her face was tinged pink, with a little nose that crinkled up at his new, un-familiar scent. She had a light tuft of brown hair on the middle of her head, and full, pink lips. She had yet to open her eyes; they were shut together in a tight seal. Keith's arms shook, but he held her tight. He moved his hand ever so slightly to fix the blanket covering her. He smiled down then at the bundle in his arms that was covered with little pink bears. Keith wondered who his daughter would be like- Natalie, or himself. If Keith had to be honest with himself, he would have to admit he didn't want the baby to look like Natalie…Natalie was too beautiful. He would have to keep his daughter locked up well in to her teen years if she looked anything like her mother. Keith, on the other hand, could settle for his daughter resembling him. He wasn't too good-looking in his opinion, and his raggedy clothing would suit her well; keep everything covered up at least. He grinned to himself. There was plenty of time to protect her, but right now, he was holding her for the first time, and he wallowed in that. Mulling over the fact that he was now a father, his hold on her tightened as hard as he thought it could without hurting her premature frame.
"She's beautiful, Daddy." An unfamiliar voice spoke to him.
Keith looked up to see a nurse he hadn't talked to yet standing in front of him. "Thank-you." He replied, grinning widely.
"First one?" She asked, snapping a small hospital bracelet on the baby's wrist.
"Yes. How can you tell? Am I holding her wrong?"
The nurse chuckled. "You're holding her just fine."
The baby let out a small cry and Keith glanced at her before looking back up at the nurse. "Are you so sure about that?"
She laughed now, and nodded. "I'm sure. I think I may know what she wants, though."
"W-what?" Keith asked, a little let-down. Why didn't he know what his child wanted?
"Her first feeding."
Keith's eyes widened. "I don't think I have the right…tools for that."
The nurse let out a bark of laughter. "We have bottles for her. One second."
She ran back and retrieved a small bottle of thin milk. Hesitantly, Keith placed it on his daughter's small lips. She opened her mouth as he rubbed it along the bottom of her lip gentle, and sucked lightly.
"I was hoping she would be able to drink on her own. She seems to be a bit stronger than her premature age."
"She gets her strength from her mother."
"I think she gets a little from you." The nurse winked, and when she did Keith realized she looked somewhat familiar.
Did everyone in this place know him from chemo?
He simply smiled and turned back to pay attention to his daughter's first meal. One day, they'd ditch this bottle crap, and move onto Twinkies, and Slim Jims. But for now, he could hold her- and all he wanted was to keep her in his arms forever.
When the bottle was empty, the nurse showed Keith how to burp her, and once she had done so, Keith was informed that her first meal was finished successfully. He beamed at her, joyfully announcing that 'they had done it!' and then kissed her forehead softly. Her head was warm, just like his always was. Keith had clammy hands normally, as did his baby girl. And now, for the first time, she cracked open her eyes. They were a dark blue that looked vibrant green in the light. Brown hair, eyes that could be green, and clammy little hands…Keith smiled at the bundle that he knew could grow to be a spitting image of him. He would always live on in the little form sleeping soundly in his arms. He felt her little heart beat against his wrists as he supported her.
"You're a knockout, sweetheart." He said, smiling down at her. He saw a slight up-turn of her lips at that, and refused to believe it was coincidence. Nothing in his life was ever coincidence. If he hadn't had cancer, he wouldn't have been so apt to talk to Natalie and sort out his feelings for her. And if they hadn't sorted out their feelings, and fallen in love, he wouldn't have this beautiful baby in his arms. He sighed in contentment then, and sat in silence for a few moments before his father walked in. blue scrub suit protecting every inch of his body from germs, he stepped close to his grand-daughter. No words could express the love that spilled over from Henry's eyes at the sight of his first grand-child. He had never thought he would have one...But thanks to Natalie, he did, and his son was able to accomplish something he never thought he would live to do: Fatherhood.
Author's Note: Next chapter, this scene continues, and you will find out more about Natalie! Took awhile for me to break through some temporary writer's block, but now I am back on track! Please review! Can't wait to read your guys's thoughts on everything!
God Bless,
Sarah.
