Daddy's Pride

His eyes are beaming, soft and content.  This is the best moment of his life so far.  His tiny daughter screeches angrily in his arms, but she does not quite penetrate the cocoon of peace he is in.  One tiny arm beats against his chest, and the effort finally pays off.  He tucks her little beet-red arms snuggly back into her wrappings and hoists her up to his shoulder.  

“Where is that bottle?” He wonders out loud.  The nurses should be back with it by now.  Soon, the bundle of hungry anger should be appeased, and he can resume his fatherly musings.

He plods to the door, patting his furious newborn on her swaddled bottom and bouncing slightly.  Sure enough, here comes that nurse, Joyce, returning with a warm bottle, freshly prepared.  She immediately hands it to the proud daddy, giving him a quizzical look along with the baby’s nourishment.  He doesn’t even notice but turns smoothly around and strolls right to the rocking chair by the shade-covered window.  With practiced tenderness, he lays his daughter snuggly in the crook of his arm.  Thoughtfully, he gauges the temperature of the milk through its plastic container.  Skillfully, he eases the strong nipple between his daughter’s pouting lips, and she takes her first draughts from him, establishing a bond that will last a lifetime.