Chapter 5 – Proud Father


"I can do this!" Khadgar said, deep concentration in his eyes and the tip of his tongue just poking out from his lips. This was a major task.

Carefully, he tucked and folded the cloth nappy around Ocel's little bottom and privates. Ocel chortled and kicked his chubby legs as his father almost finished his third attempt at dressing him in a nappy. The first two had failed miserably, with Khadgar's rugged face turning white due to the talcum powder application being a little too generous. A cloud of the white powder had resulted in the Archmage having a coughing fit. Tears from the exertion tore tracks down his powdered face, making him look like a zhevra, a cross between a zebra and unicorn, but he was determined to succeed.

Sarah stood grinning beside him. "It's not origami Khadgar," she said, not unkindly.

"Ogrim – what?" his brow furrowed but he did not look away from his handiwork.

"Origami, the Japanese art form of paper folding," she said knowing only too well his enquiring mind would soon make him ask what Japanese was, so quickly she continued. "Your hands are wonderful at many things darling, but putting on nappies is not one of them." She lay a gentle hand on top of his awkward fingers.

A look of defeat crossed the Archmage's face. Sarah took a towel and gently wiped away the fine coating of talc, uncovering his handsome and weathered features. "Never mind, you can fumble with my panties later," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Khadgar's steel orbs widened and a big grin crossed his mouth. "So soon?"

She pushed the towel into his chest and shooed him aside. "I'm kidding!" she said. "Give a woman time, why don't you. I just gave birth a few hours ago." Seeing his sheepish expression, she laughed lightly and added. "Panties are one thing dear, you'll have to wait to fumble with anything else. But soon - if you're a good boy."

He continued wiping away the talc on his cheeks, the lines round his eyes crinkling from his soft laughter.

Sarah loved teasing Khadgar. Over their months together, the bond between them had simply went from strength to strength and humour had been one thing which had truly surfaced. He was still prone to being a little too serious at times and she could counter that no problem. There was a time and place for his stern and powerful presence, and their home was not one of them. While he was with her, he was under no delusion, he had to be tender, attentive, supportive, tolerant and fun. None of these things had proved difficult for him however, he was more than happy to be all those things for her. He was indeed a loving and caring partner and there was also much laughter in his soul.

She equally understood there were times his duties required him to be elsewhere, or if at home, time in his study could have no interruption. She would take him some refreshments but always respectfully knocked on the door before entering. This she did without thinking, it just seemed a natural way for her to demonstrate her understanding of the importance of his work. He had told her there was no need to knock, but she continued doing so regardless.

His eagerness to do things for Ocel was utterly touching. While it was commonplace on Earth for a man to be so hands-on with raising his family, it seemed that on Azeroth a father's involvement to that degree was quite rare. In fact, it was practically non-existent. Until of course the child was old enough to have a sensible conversation and ready to learn certain things that would start them on the path to adulthood. In other words when they were ready to leave home and earn a living.

But then again, Khadgar was no ordinary man. He was of course, highly intelligent, exceptionally learned, a master in arcane, frost and fire, a great diplomat, an exemplary ambassador. Insatiably curious, a diligent investigator, a generous listener, impeccable advisor. He possessed manners, charm, and very wicked sense of humour (when he allowed it to be displayed). He was reliable, strong, trustworthy. And of course, for Sarah's pleasure only, he had proved to be an eager and prolific lover. But a nappy changer? Nope. Definitely not something on his resume.

He watched with silent admiration as Sarah managed to make the nappy fit snugly on little Ocel. Her practice with Caeniir paid off. He watched her face as she tended their son. What a wondrous thing motherhood was. She glowed, and not from her demon markings, for once. Sometimes, when he watched her, he was overcome by how beautiful she was. Not merely physically, although there was no doubt she was indeed a very attractive woman, but inwardly too. There was a generosity and a deeply caring side about her that was almost tangible. Laughably peppered with her little profanities now and again. He had noticed however, that she clapped her hand over her mouth if an expletive slipped out in Ocel's presence. It was almost cute.

But it was her eyes, so full of emotion when she looked at their son which had Khadgar falling in love with her over and over again. And when she turned those eyes to him, she took his breath away. What he felt for her was so profound and pure, that sometimes he felt an intense ache in his chest, as if his heart was swelling from so much love, he could barely withstand it. It was the one thing he did not feel the need to place under a microscope to understand, he was perfectly happy with the situation.

She still looked tired though, and he did question her wanting to get home so soon after giving birth. She insisted she was fine and it was nothing a little sleep in her own bed wouldn't sort. She hadn't slept though. He moved next to her and slid an arm around her waist and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. She made a little contented sound and nuzzled against him, as she held Ocel, who had fallen asleep in his mother's arms. Khadgar smiled at his son. He felt such pride as he looked at him. His legacy lay in the land of dreams, safe and secure in parental care and adoration.

"Next one will be a sister for you," he said under his breath. It wasn't as quiet as he thought however.

"Next one?"

He smirked. "You caught me. I didn't mean to say that aloud."

Sarah turned to face him. With Ocel cradled in one arm, she caressed Khadgar's cheek with her free hand. Their eyes met. "I love you," she said.

The Archmage's eyes dilated and his lips parted ever so slightly. He inhaled deeply, trying to curb his natural response to her tender words and touch.

The twitch at the corner of her mouth let him know she understood. "You are still my every waking and sleeping thought, the air I breathe, my pain and my joy. Although..."

He knew what she was going to say. She didn't disappoint. "...You have serious competition now." She lowered her eyes to the sleeping babe, then raised them back up to Khadgar.

They laughed softly, before his mouth caressed hers.

"Will I put him in his crib?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied, surrendering Ocel to his proud father.

He cradled him for a few moments, still as amazed by him as he was when he laid eyes on him for the first time. He gently kissed and nuzzled Ocel's brow before placing him in his crib.

A knock echoed through from the entrance hall. Khadgar had just put Ocel down. He draped the soft netherweave blanket over him then turned to Sarah. "Shall I tell them to come back another time?"

She sighed and smiled. They had expected well wishers to come by soon. She shook her head. "No. It would be unkind. I think they have been waiting for this as much as we have."

Khadgar smiled and putting his arm round her, led the way through to the living room. Sarah waited there while Khadgar went to answer the door.

Erik stood, stretching himself to his full four foot ten stature, holding a parcel wrapped in blue and silver paper with a blue ribbon wrapped around keeping the contents secure. Behind him, Lukha, Taril and young Caeniir.

Khadgar smiled. "Welcome everyone, come in."

Erik nodded a greeting to the Archmage but immediately strutted his way forward, heading straight for Sarah who waited beside the sofa to greet her visitors. He held up the parcel. "It's no much, but ah wanted to bring summat fur th' wee yin."

Sarah smiled broadly as she accepted his gift and surprised him by planting a small kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Erik."

She peeled away the wrapping to reveal a pair of soft leather baby shoes, the cutest little leather jerkin and a baby-sling. Sarah was astonished at the last item, for she did not think those would be available in Azeroth. She was right, as Erik explained. "That's a thing ah thought o' a wee while ago," he pointed to the sling. "Ah wis jist sittin' wi' a mug o' ale and it came tae me. Summat fur the parent to wear to haud the bairn whilst leavin' yer hands free tae dae whitiver. So ah drew the thing up an' got Simon Tanner in Old Town, tae make it."

"It's ingenius," Sarah smiled, deciding not to let on about their abundance back on Earth. "This could be a lucrative little sideline for you Erik."

The dwarf beamed, puffing his chest out. "Ah kinda thought o' that mesel', lass."

"Everything is wonderful Erik, thank you so much." She passed the things to Khadgar who was equally impressed by Erik's invention and gifts.

Lukha stepped forward with her gift. Mittens, booties, a rattle and shawl. They were beautiful. Sarah and Khadgar thanked them again for their kindness.

"So whar is he?" Erik asked.

"He's just went to sleep," Sarah told him.

The dwarf was noticeably disappointed and started scuffing his feet on the wooden floor. "Ah, a'right. Another time then."

"I didn't say you couldn't see him," Sarah smiled.

Erik's eyes sparkled, and he eagerly nodded his head. They all followed Sarah through to the nursery while Khadgar saw to some refreshments for their guests.

Erik's chubby fingers curled round the spars of the crib as he peered in on the sleeping babe, while Lukha and Taril loomed over him.

"He is beautiful," Lukha said. "A very handsome boy indeed."

"He will be strong," Taril said. "I can tell by his hands. I think he will be a paladin like his namesake."

"Well hopefully he husnae got his faither's tetchiness ." Erik said, a chortle escaping him.

"I can teleport you anywhere I choose, dwarf," the voice came from the doorway. They all looked up to see Khadgar leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed with an amused expression on his face.

Erik grinned. "There! Ye see? Tetchy."

They all laughed softly so as not waken Ocel and then they turned to go back into the living room.

They only stayed long enough to offer their congratulations and enjoy a refreshment. Lukha knew only too well that Sarah would be tired. Indeed, now the new mother was struggling to stay awake. They all bid farewell and said they would come another day.

As Khadgar closed the door behind them, Sarah's eyes finally closed. He lifted her and carried her through to their bed where he lay her down and covered her with a blanket. She stirred momentarily, her hand resting on his arm. She was about to speak, but Khadgar hushed her. "Don't worry, I' m here. If Ocel wakes and needs fed, I will come get you. But for now, my love, sleep." He kissed her brow and she drifted off into a land of dreams.