"I can't believe how small she is. I'm afraid I'll break her."
"Aladdin, don't be silly. She will not break. She is your daughter and you have every right to hold her. You can't be afraid of her, she will know it." Jasmine eases Lamiya in my arms. I awkwardly hold her, hoping I don't drop her. I'm so afraid that one wrong move will startle her and make my daughter hate me. This is a new feeling to me. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. Will I screw this up and become like my father? I can't think like that. I can't let my daughter grow up without a supportive father.
I look down at my daughter's angelic face and swear to do whatever is in my power to make her happy. A small whimper escapes Lamiya's puckered mouth and I begin to panic. What do I do?
"I think she might be hungry." As if Lamiya understood what her mother said, she begins to cry and squirm in my arms. I carefully place her in Jasmine's arms and sit on the edge of the bed to watch. Seeing Jasmine in this new light takes my breath away. The way she cares for our daughter; she's a natural.
"You're good with her. What is it that I could be doing wrong?" I'm uncertain about everything. I've never had a family to precisely know what I'm doing. My father wasn't around to give advice. My poor mother endured heartbreak and sickness before passing away to leave her very young son to defend himself. There was no one until Jasmine. She's brightened my world and given me so much more than I deserve.
"We've been parents for almost an hour. We can't have the answers to everything just yet. We have to give it time. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. We will learn from them. She will teach us as the days go on about what she needs and what she doesn't need. Be patient." She places her hand over mind and glances back down at our daughter. She has finished eating and is silently sleeping.
"Jasmine, I know I'm suppose to be this big hero and I'm not suppose to be fearful of anything, but this frightens me. I have so many questions about me being a good parent that it terrifies me. I shouldn't question it but I do."
"I'm terrified too. I'm afraid of each second that passes but I'm relishing them as well. I can't constantly wonder what if or why. The only thing I know in this moment is that I want to be a great mother to this little beauty." She smiles her brilliant smile at me and I return it. She's right. I can't keep questioning my role as a father. I am one and I will be the best. Speaking of fathers, I'm sure ours would love to see their granddaughter.
"Are you up for visitors or would you like to rest first?"
"Visitors are fine. I would like to change though since Lamiya is asleep."
"Okay. Do you need any help?" She nods her head and I stand up offering my hand to her. She carefully lays Lamiya down and places pillows around her so she won't move. Jasmine grabs my hand and I gently pull her into my arms. I can't help myself when I lean down to press a kiss to her lips. I quietly thank her for giving me such a beautiful and healthy daughter. She returns the gesture as I help her change clothes. She slowly sits down on our bed and gets comfortable.
"I'll let everyone know the news and be right back." She nods her head once more as I slip out the door in search of the rest of my family.
WhIle Aladdin gathers our family together to meet Lamiya, I look down at her sleeping form. How is it possible to have such a beautiful little girl? Others may think otherwise but I am her mother and she is the cutest baby I've ever seen. Her delivery was painful and I can't believe I survived it but I would do it all over again if it meant feeling this ecstatic.
Lamiya wiggles in her blanket and slips her hand out to rest against her face. She doesn't wake and my heart breaks a little. I was hoping she'd wake up so I could see her eyes. She only had them open for a brief moment after her birth and she's been asleep ever since. Farida made a side note of telling me that I would be grateful for Lamiya sleeping because it would not be that way for long.
I can't tear my gaze from Lamiya and I lightly pick her up in hopes I don't wake her. I cradle her in my arms while barely running my fingers over her baby hair. She has small curls resting on her head and I know she'll have her father's hair. It's not thick but she has a head full.
A light knock comes from the door and Aladdin peeks his head in.
"You ready for those visitors?" He smiles at me and I nod my head yes. He opens the door to let everyone in. I smile at all of them and wave them further into the room.
"Who would like to hold her first?" No one dares to move and I know they're itching to jump forward.
"I will." My father steps forward and carefully takes Lamiya from my arms. "She's beautiful, just like her mother." He looks up at me and I want to cry. Not tears of sadness but of joy.
"Thank you. Do you think mother would be happy?" I look from Lamiya to my father and there are tears in his eyes as well.
"She would be thrilled." He looks down at his granddaughter and smiles. He leans his head down to kiss her on the head before he turns to Cassim.
"I shouldn't enjoy all the fun." Father places Lamiya in Cassim's arms and there's a flash of fear that takes over his features. That same fear was on Aladdin's face the minute he held his daughter.
"She's so tiny. I'm afraid I'll break her." He looks up and over at Aladdin. He doesn't say anything to his father but stares at Lamiya. I suppose he's thinking of his own childhood where his father was present. In a split second, that look disappears and he turns his attention back to his dad.
"I thought the same thing but since she's not crying, I think you're doing fine."
Lamiya is passed around several more times before she begins to fuss. Genie hands her to Aladdin and everyone leaves our little family unit alone. Lamiya's cries pick up as Aladdin lays her in my arms. WhIle I feed her, he looks at us with a proud gleam in his eyes. He has finally gained the family he has always wanted.
A/N: I'm sorry this chapter was a little short but this is where it led me. If there is something you think I left out, let me know and I will gladly add it. I can't promise I will be able to get another chapter out soon but I will try.