"Mr. Heeler, Trixie had successfully given birth to your daughter, she may be a bit loud, but she's adorable! Are you ready to see her?"

No.

He wasn't.

As Stripe then looked down, he noticed his hands were together, fidgeting. He separated them, and it was no use. They still trembled.

Three hours ago (Or was it four? He had lost track of time) he was with his wife in the Delivery Room. As time passed, the GP obstetricians told him he looked more in shock than the one actually giving birth in the room. He was then forced to leave in order for both of him and Trixie to be calm. Bandit, his brother, and his mum Chris had both said they'll be there in thirty minutes. His eldest brother, Rad, had to unfortunately stay in the oil rig, as usual (Though he promised to come and meet his new niece in Christmas).

Stripe finally spoke. "I-I-I ca-can't do t-this. I'm not ready to be a dad and I-I-"

The doctor, a white female chihuahua, grabed his shoulder. "Hey, I understand, this is all sudden...too sudden." She said sympathetically. "A lot of fathers are like this at first, it's natural. But you got to listen to me: Your wife is waiting for you inside that room. And so is your miracle. Take one look at her...and your whole life will turn brighter in a moment."

Stripe, with her help at first, shakingly got up and, together, in they went.

The first thing he saw was Trixie.

She was taking deep breaths. Some sounded more exhausted and desperate though. Even with her fur with sweat that stank the room, she had never looked more beautiful to Stripe. When she saw her husband, a weak, tired smile formed in her lips.

"You came..."

"I'll leave you two alone." The kind obstetrician said before closing the door and leaving.

Stripe kneeled down by the bed she was resting and kissed her nose. "Of couse...I'm so sorry I...I couldn't stand...it was all too-"

"Hey," Trixie, grabbing Stripe's tearful cheek. "i'm the one who should be scared and crying, not you." She joked softly.

Stripe admired it with a chuckle.

A coo was suddenly heard, cutting the moment short.

Stripe wished time was frozen.

Trixie smiled and held out a small, bundled blanket that was on her stomach and now held it on her arms and raised it to her chest.

Stripe's heart stopped.

There she was.

His daughter was gray like her mother, but her darker spots were a softer color than her mother's, Stripe wondered if they would turn into a darker color with age.

He smiled at her.

Suddenly, she started crying.

Trixie's expression fell at her daughter crying. "Hey, hey, it's alright, i'm right here I...I love you."

But the newborn continued crying.

After some time trying to calm their baby down, Trixie helplessly reached the blankets with the newborn in it to her husband.

Stripe immediately backed down. "Trix I I-I can't i'm not ready to...to be a dad, this...this is all so-"

He was interrupted by their daughter's yells.

Trixie looked at the bundle. "She seems as distressed and scared as you are."

Stripe stared anxiously at the bundle in Trixie's arms, then, with a sigh, accepted it into his own.

The pup stopped crying. In a confused expression, it stared at the grown-up before her.

After a long moment of staring, Stripe could feel his frown turning upside down.

Trixie got closer and petted her daughter's ear. She growled but didn't whine again.

"What if we name her...Muffin."

"Muffin?" Stripe asked, not looking away from his newborn daughter.

"Yeah...Muffin Cupcake Heeler. She's a bit of a whiner." She rubbed her daughter's chin, making her growl. "But she's adorable." His wife then said in a loving voice.

Still a bit confused and shocked, Stripe blinked at the bundle again. Who goofily blew a raspberry.

"Muffin Cupcake Heeler..."

Unexpextedly, he then felt his arms making the bundle of blankets and pup with it closer to him until she was in his chest with a hug.

And Stripe didn't complain.

Tears once again rose from his eyes.

Happy tears.

"You're perfect, my love."

And just like that, his daughter fell asleep peacefully.