Disclaimer: Don't own the OC. The song is "Wild World" by Cat Stevens.

Author's Notes: Just a little warning this story will be a tear-jerker. I'm already getting misty eyed. This song is probably the best father/daughter song I've ever come across. It's just really good. I'd like to thank Josh Schwartz for creating Ryan's need to do anything and everything he can for the women he cares about. Enjoy!

Baby Girl

Now that I've lost everything to you

You say you wanna start something new

And it's breakin' my heart you're leavin'

Baby, I'm grievin'

"It's almost here," The doctor called from the foot of Theresa's bed, "Just one more big push!"

"Haven't I pushed enough?" Theresa let out an anguished cry and Ryan once again felt a pull on his heartstrings. He hated just having to stand and hold her hand while she went through this agony.

"Just one more and then it's over," Ryan gently coxed from her side and hoped he was right.

Ryan watched as Theresa gritted her teeth and gripped Ryan's hand harder. He wanted to say something to reassure her, but no words came. Then he watched as the pain melted off her face and a determined cry could be heard.

Ryan felt a wave of happiness sweep over him. He looked over at Theresa and saw that she trying to hold back tears, but she had a gigantic smile on her face. They had been waiting so many months for this.

"It's a girl!" The doctor called and Ryan looked at Theresa again and didn't that he had ever seen her so happy. She was crying now. They had a baby girl! He had a baby girl!

Ryan looked down at the baby girl resting in his arms. She was wrapped tight as a bundle in the striped hospital receiving blanket with a little pink cap on her head. She was the most precious thing Ryan had ever seen or held.

She looked so peaceful with her little eyes shut tight against the big bad world and Ryan felt a sudden need to protect her. He didn't ever want her to go through the bad things he had been through.

He bent down and kissed her forehead as if sealing his promise to her.

He was never going to let anything bad happen to his baby girl.

Not part of story:

"Each day people wielding guns kill 64 people, rape 33 women, rob 575 people and assault a 1,000 more"

-Todd Strasser, Give a Boy a Gun