Birth
Three months later Danny was at work when his pager went off. He'd recently started working in the local shop thanks to having befriended the shop owner. He was so glad he'd given him a chance to rebuild his work life. He was now able to bring in money as well as his wife.
He looked down at the pager and his eyes widened. He was about to become a father again. It was saying Maggie had gone into labour. He'd left her with his mother while he was at work.
"Go Danny and good luck," his boss said. "You're a great father."
"Thanks David," he answered picking up his keys and getting into his car. He knew Maggie and her mother would be using her mother's car.
When he arrived he ran up to the room he was told she was in. He found them there and Maggie smiled slightly when she saw him there.
"Danny," she exclaimed.
"I'm here, Maggie, I'm here," he answered holding her hands.
"I'm so glad you are this time."
"So am I," he replied kissing her hair.
Soon it was time for the baby to come so they were rushed to the birthing room. He held her hand and brushed the hair off her forehead while she got hotter and hotter with the effort of trying to push their child out.
"Maggie, you can do it," he encouraged.
"It hurts," she shouted. "You try pushing a bloody baby out."
"Maggie, I know you can do it. You've done it before."
Some time later she was out and Maggie fell asleep exhausted. Danny looked at her worried and the midwife placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Mr Nyland, she's just asleep," she said. He nodded and she added, "Would you like to hold your daughter?"
He nodded and she was placed in his arms wrapped in a blanket. He looked down at her smiling with tears in his eyes. She was so incredibly beautiful. She looked just like her mother with her brown eyes and little red hairs.
"Hi, I'm your father. I love you so very much and will do everything I can to protect you," he smiled kissing her forehead. She smiled up at him and yawned. He felt so much love for her.
Maggie woke up in a private maternity room to see Danny on the edge of the bed holding their baby. She thought it was the sweetest she'd ever seen him.
"Danny," she said.
"Yes Maggie," he answered.
"Did we have a daughter?"
"Yes we did. Would you like to hold her?"
She smiled and nodded. He gently passed her over to her mother and Maggie held her close to her while Danny sat beside her with his legs out and wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"She's beautiful," she said.
"Just like her mother" he smiled back.
"Oh Danny, you're beautiful too."
"What shall we call her?"
"Jemima Hermione Nyland."
"Perfect. I love it."
Just then she smiled up at her and he added, "I think she loves it too."
"She does," she smiled at him.
"Jemima Hermione it is then."
Colby put his head around the door with his grandmother and asked, "Can we come in?"
"Of course," they smiled. "Come and meet your sister, Jemima Hermione Nyland."
They went over and Maggie immediately passed her over to her brother who held her like she was made of glass. He looked down at her and couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He was a big brother now and his sister was gorgeous.
His parents smiled over at their children so happy to see how well they got on. As Colby smiled down at her it was clear how proud he was to be a big brother and as Jemima lifted her baby arm to touch him it was clear how transfixed with her brother she was.