Disclaimer: Still don't own. Sadly. XD

Into the Craddle

Chapter Two: George

This scene was familiar. Waiting outside two double doors, wringing his hands and surrounded by the same smells and sights as before. The chairs at this hospital looked exactly the same as the ones where Amy had been born. Purple with green lime stripes. And as uncomfortable as hell too.

This scene was familiar. The smells made his stomach churn. George had to firmly tell himself that the smell did not strictly mean death and sickness. Or so it seems, his mind supplied him. The smell of his sweat was sharp and sour. His stress of possible losing his daughter and grandson made him twice as anxious.

This scene was familiar. "Mom" was coming out of those doors with her eyes smiling tears. Anne reminded his so much of Mimsy as she excitedly shared the news about a healthy baby boy and a proud but tired Amy. The excitement and relief he felt were the same he felt when Amy had been born. And then panic sets in. As a father, he would be expected to raise this child, and then he remembers Ricky. So, he does the right thing because even though the scene is nerve racking, a father deserves to be here.

This scene was familiar. George remembered being terrified of holding Amy, and he knew Ricky was too. Boys and men did not have the ingrained ability like women to be gentle and know how to handle babies; George understood this other man's fear. Because he had been there twice before and now a third time. And the raw tears he could understand, so when Ashley opened her mouth to make a snide remark he snapped at her. He saw her hurt look and Anne's surprised look, but George said nothing. They would not be able to understand.

This scene was familiar. It is the birth of a man. It is the beginnings of a family. This was his family too, but now it had two more members than it did a few hours ago. Because when a man becomes a father, he would not just let his child leave him, especially after he makes the promise he knew Ricky was making to himself. George had been there twice. Once he became a man, and the other time he had become a father.

This scene was familiar. The baby's blue eyes stared at him. Through him. So much like his mother already. George wondered if it was possible to love some many people so powerfully. Because he did.

And then he smiled.

A grandson!