The Birds and the Bees - Chapter Five
My darling daughter
I am so glad that
You were born today
When woman are so
Aware of what is going on
And don't always have
To fight so hard to be heard
The world is wide open
For you to be whatever you want
It will be hard
But at least you
Will find other woman
Striving for the same things
And you won't be called "crazy"
For wanting to achieve them
Though full equality
Is a long way off
There certainly have been changes
Which would make your life as a woman
Not so stereotyped and confined
My darling Daughter
You are living in an age
Where womanhood is finally growing
To be everything
That it can be.
Susan Polis Schutz (My darling Daughter)
"A gift from above is what you are, my beautiful daughter, I have waited nine months for you to come. Now that I have you in my arms, I never want to let you go. You're my beautiful Julia Abigail, and I love you. You have changed my life so much. From this day on I have a new life with a beautiful baby, and I look forward to guiding you through life. The world can be so cruel, but your father and I will be here for whatever you need. I promise that I'll always try to understand you, even though I might not always have the patience. I just want you to always know that I love you dearly." Mallory spoke to her daughter for the first time with tears running down her cheeks as she held her baby finally in her arms.
Before Wildwing headed back to join Mallory, he stopped in the hallway and just leaned against a wall.
'Wow, I'm a dad of a brand new baby girl. It's kind of hard to believe; she's so beautiful. I wonder if she's going to be like Mallory or me. Will she love me? Will I be too hard on her? There are just so many questions that I can't answer. All I can do for now is wonder.' Wildwing sighed deeply just trying to let the concept sink in.
"Heya Wildwing, you okay?" Duke appeared from around the corner.
"Yea I am. Thanks for asking"
"Well you are a dad now, I hope you're okay. I know if I was you, I'd be scared to death. Wildwing you're strong, you're going to be a great dad." Duke affirmed Wildwing the best that he knew how.
"Thank you Duke, I appreciate that. There are just so many questions that I can't answer, and it's hard because I'm used to knowing what to do and how things will come out. But this stuff," He looked in the direction of Mallory's room, "It's just so uncertain. I know it sounds weird, but I'm so nervous. I want to raise my daughter right, what if I mess up and she hates me or something?" Wildwing leaned his head against the wall as he fretted.
"Wing, you need to go with the flow, just enjoy raising Julia. Look, the only thing you can do is try your best. Do you really think she'll be raised wrong with Mallory as her mother?" Duke emphasized his advice with a question that Wildwing could answer.
Wildwing chuckled and removed himself from the wall. "You're right, Duke. I gotta go, but I'll come get you when she's ready to see you guys. I need to go be with Mallory." Wildwing rambled as he ran off.
Upon entering the room where Mallory was recovering, he heard his brother's voice squawking as it did many times.
"What are you guys doing in here?" Wildwing questioned looking to Tanya and Grin.
"Uh…Nothing…We just thought we'd come in ourselves…You were taking too long." Tanya sniffed after her statement.
"Oh, really?" Wildwing grinned and walked over to his wife's side. "How are you doing, hun?" Wildwing asked her in an even voice.
"I'm doing fine. I'm just a bit tired." Mallory's voice was soft and tender with love.
"Ok, where's Julia?" Wildwing asked noticing his daughter wasn't in her arms. Mallory did a simple hand gesture to Nosedive.
Nosedive held his niece, looking down to her and then back up to his brother. "She looks a lot like you Wing, she's got some of Mallory in her too," Nosedive declared has he walked over to his older brother and handed him his child. "Bro, you're a lucky guy, be happy you have a wife and a child," Nosedive started to get misty eyed as he spoke, "And I just wanted to…" A tear rolled down his cheek.
"Yea Dive?" Wildwing questioned, searching for his brothers blue eyes.
Nosedive suddenly bounced back into his normal hyper mode, "I just wanted to ask how much I'll be getting for babysitting! I expect credit!" Nosedive started to laugh.
"Haha Dive, very funny." They all chanted in unison.
Back At the Pond:
Everyone had gone home the next day enjoying their new member of the team. Cooing and cuddling of the baby could be heard all around the pond. Phil, out of the "goodness of his heart" had decided not to force any publicity stunts on the duckling. Of course, a few not-so-subtle threats from the new mother had influenced his decision a little. Mallory looked stunning and happier then ever. Wildwing had taken to the father role quickly and he was very happy that he had his family. Now, after a day filled with joy and love, most everyone including Julia, was exhausted. Although everyone else was dead asleep, Nosedive laid awake waiting to hear a cry. When he finally did, he rushed to Julia's room.
At first he stumbled to locate the light switch, and upon finding it, he walked to the crib where Julia laid crying. "Shh, shh, everything's ok Julie. I'm here." He picked her up gently, putting her fragile head on his shoulder and took a seat in Mallory's rocker.
"Julie you're really cool, you know that? I'm not the youngest but that doesn't really matter anymore, does it?" Nosedive paused to think for a few moments and then started to speak again. "I guess what I really want to say is that I'm here for you no matter what happens. Your dad's always been there for me, and I want to be there for you too." Nosedive stopped and looked down at Julia, who had fallen fast asleep in his arms. "Well I guess that's it." Nosedive sighed and stood up to put the baby back in her crib. As he walked out, he made sure that he turned off the light.
Mallory was the first to wake the next morning , she had decided to go to the Mess Hall to get something to eat before her child needed her attention. No sooner than she entered the room than her husband came to join her. He sat at the table as she turned to greet him.
Mallory murmured, "What are you doing here?"
"I woke up when you left," he said flatly. "I waited a few minutes, but when you didn't come back I decided to make sure you were okay."
"Mmm…" Mallory grunted as she sipped her green tea.
"So, are you ok?"
"Yeah, of course. I just wanted something to eat before Julia woke, ya know?"
"Yeah"
"Imagine it…" Mallory started to talk randomly.
"Imagine what?" Wildwing raised an eyebrow.
"When Julia starts to like boys or her first day of school… her first word…The first time she walks….We're going to be there for all that…I can't wait." Mallory grinned at Wilding.
Wildwing got a hold of her hand and held it, smiling. "I love you and Julia very much…And all I can say about her liking boys is that I'll be after her 24/7." He chuckled.
Mallory smiled." I love you, too…" She suddenly was stopped by Julia's cries." Well I better go get her now."
"I'll go with you" They both walked to their daughter's room hand in hand.
The Ducks were all happy about the new addition of the family and team, and couldn't wait to see how she would turn out. They were all looking forward to helping her grow into a young woman. All they could do to was to wait and see what each day would bring. Mallory and Wildwing had adjusted to the parenting roles quickly and were getting ready for whatever challenges were ahead of them.
The End
Hi Everyone!
Took me awhile didn't it? Well now it's done. I have another idea for a story and I have started to brainstorm. School is getting in the way of writing for fan unfortunately, I can only do so much at once. Well I hope you liked this story, it's finally completed. Well lots of hugs for DarknessQueen , Lady Silver1, Destiny852, xxChocaholicxx. Thanks for being great friends and thanks lots for you guys advice. Thank you my Beta-Reader…You mean lots to me! Ok, well I guess that's it for now! Bye people! I'll Be back!
From Nature-Flashblade