As his wife's due date drew nearer, Sekine was getting more and more anxious.

And, as usual, his anxiety was coming out…artistically.

He was trying to keep it to a minimum so he didn't worry Sara. She was getting tired more frequently, so it wasn't that difficult to work on things during one of the naps he insisted she take. She often protested, but he was firm, and her body was on his side.

So, while she slept, Sekine knitted.

He started with a baby hat for the child to wear home from the hospital. As he made it, he thought about the baby's health, and hoped that it would be born safely. Then he made a blanket, and thought about how he wanted the baby to be comfortable. Then it was a car seat cover, and Sekine thought about how the baby should be comforted when it was sad. Next, he decided that the baby would need a friend, and he made a bear, a smaller version of the one he had made for Sara years ago. As he made it, he thought about how he hoped his child would always have someone beside them to love them. After the bear was made, it of course needed clothes. He made an extensive wardrobe, and as he made the various pieces, his thoughts wandered, from worries over Sara's health to worries about how she would do with the birth. Then when he had filled a large box with clothes, he decided that the bear should have some other companions. As he made various stuffed animals and the clothes that went with them, his thoughts strayed to worries over what kind of father he would be.

It was only when he started on baby booties that his wife caught on to what he was doing. It was a weekend, and he had safely put her down for a nap and settled into his chair with his crochet hook. He had nearly finished the first bootie when he heard Sara's feet behind him.

Startled, he whipped around to see his wife standing there, rubbing her eyes. She looked at him with confusion on her face and asked, "What are you doing?"

He stared at her, not sure what to say. She accepted his silence and drew nearer, squinting at the yarn in his hands. Then her eyes widened and she asked, "Are those shoes for the baby?"

He nodded wordlessly. Not wanting to answer any more questions, he said, "What are you awake for? I thought you were tired."

"I needed some water. I wasn't expecting to find you here." She looked up at his face, then frowned. She pushed her finger against his forehead. "You're doing it again with your eyebrows. What's wrong?"

Sekine sighed. He never could hide anything from his wife. She always seemed to know what he was thinking even before he did. He put his work down and looked at it contemplatively for a moment, thinking about how to answer. Finally, he spoke. "I don't know if I'll be a good father."

He heard rustling, and then his wife's face appeared before him. "Why would you say that?"

Lifting his head, he noticed that Sara was bending over in what was undoubtedly an uncomfortable position, considering her belly. Dropping his yarn on the floor, he reached out and guided her into his lap. When she was settled, he rested his head on her shoulder and spoke. "I've never really wanted anything my whole life. Not until I met you, anyway. And now I want all sorts of things. I want to be a good husband. I want to be a good father. I want to make both of you happy. But I'm not sure I know how to do that. Me, who's only ever thought about getting by in the world. How am I supposed to know what to do with a child?"

He felt a hand brush gently over the top of his hair. His wife's voice spoke gently in his ear. "Dear, you already make me happy. You make me happy simply by being with me, and by worrying about my happiness. And I'm sure it will be the same for the baby. It's already receiving so much love from both of us, look how big it is already!" She took his hand and placed it on her belly, and as she continued he could hear a smile in her voice. "This baby already knows how much love it's getting from you. All you need to do is keep thinking of your child, and you'll be a wonderful father."

Cautiously, Sekine raised his eyes up to meet Sara's. She smiled at him. "Besides, we're in this as a team. Between the two of us, we'll figure out how to be parents together. We have to rely on each other as much as we can."

He simply looked at her for a moment, taking strength from her. Then he leaned forward and kissed her deeply, hoping that his action would convey what his words couldn't. When he finally released her, she gasped in air, and he enjoyed the slight color on her cheeks.

Sara's eyes strayed away from his face, and found the yarn on the floor. She looked at it contemplatively and asked, "This isn't the first thing you've made for the baby, is it?"

Damn. She always saw right through him. After a moment, he shook his head.

"What else have you made?"

In response, he stood up, scooping her into his arms in the same action. She squealed and clung to his neck as he asked, "Would you like to see what else there is?"

"Of course. I'd love to look at everything and see how much love you're ready to pour on our baby. And if you want to tell me about the things you made, I'd be glad to listen."

Sekine was overcome with love for his wife's understanding. But instead of words of gratitude, he simply gave her another kiss.