This was inspired by a request over at @otomehostclub (no fics over there, just advice and support) and this song.
(Jacob, I don’t know where you are, but I hope you see this and that it is to your liking.)
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The hall was filled with flowers, and the gentle breeze blowing through the open windows wafted their scent throughout the space.
Baba sat at the head table, clutching his wife’s hand like a life-preserver, and today, she was one. Everything that could have gone wrong on this day, of all days, while everyone else screamed, moaned, wailed, and cried, she was the one to keep a level head, stay strong, and make sure things worked out. This was their daughter’s special day, after all, and there was no way in hell that she was going to allow anything to ruin it.
He tore his gaze away from their newly-married daughter to steal a glance at his wife. The angel who had saved him with her smile and her kindness, who still, after nearly three decades together, managed to steal his breath away. She turned and caught him staring, blessing him with the smile she’d always reserved just for him. The lines around her eyes were a little deeper, her hair a lighter shade than that first fateful night, and he was grateful every day to have been the one to share a life with her.
He stole a glance at his daughter, dancing with her lover, and remembered a day, so long ago that it felt like just yesterday.
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He entered the nursery, list in one hand, diaper bag in the other, and stopped short, staring. His wife sat in the glider-rocker, nursing their daughter. He was always taken with the sight; her tender smile as she held the baby, fingers of her free hand tracing the shell of a miniature ear, or being clutched by tiny fingers. The way the curve of a tiny head echoed the curve of his wife’s breast filled his heart to bursting with joy. For one who never thought he’d have a real family, to have one now gave him such bliss he was often afraid he’d wake to find it was all a dream.
She felt his gaze and looked up, her smile growing impossibly brighter.
He closed the distance between them and leaned down, kissing her softly.
“My ladies are especially beautiful this morning.”
“We’re both excited for today. Amaya is happy to get to spend the day with her daddy, and I’m excited to get a spa day.”
She shifted the baby to her shoulder, patting the tiny back gently, until a small burp was heard.
“So, my little princess, are you ready to get dressed and go out for the day with me?” Baba lifted the little girl into his arms.
She burbled happily as she caught sight of him, reaching her chubby little arms out to his face.
He brought her close and rubbed her nose with his own, laughing as she grabbed his cheeks.
“What would you like to wear today, Princess?” He asked, walking toward the changing table where three tiny outfits were laid out.
Behind them, his wife laughed.
“The correct question is “what would you like to wear first?” You’ll go through at least two sets of clothes today, and possibly all three. That’s why we chose the easiest outfits to get a squirmy little girl into and out of.”
“Well, then,” Baba said, laying the little girl on the table. “Let’s make this easy and go with this one first.” He picked up a frilly little dress with matching bloomers and started dressing her, while his wife rolled the other outfits together, tucking them into a pocket of the diaper bag.
Once done, she checked to make certain there were bottles of water, formula, diapers and wipes, and burp cloths, and a couple of the currently-favored toys.
“Where are you going to go today?” She asked, watching as a tiny flying foot refused to be inserted into the leg hole.
“We’re going to go to the aquarium to see the pretty fish,” Baba answered, talking in the sing-song voice he fell into with his daughter. “And to the new mall. Maybe we’ll see uncle Ota there, with his newest show.”
“Do you want the stroller for all of that?”
“No, I just want the little pack, so I can carry my princess and show her the world.”
She helped him get the pack on, adjusting it for his broader chest, then helped secure Amaya in the little pack.
Baba picked up the diaper bag and slung it diagonally across his chest and plopped his signature hat on his head.
His wife set a flowery little sunhat on Amaya’s head and kissed the little girl, then stood on her tiptoes to kiss Baba.
“You have your phone, right?” She asked.
“Of course, pretty lady,” he answered, his jovial smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. He slid an arm around her waist, drawing her close.
“And when we get home, I’ll pay some attention to the queen of my heart,” he teased, sliding his fingers under the hem of her very short, very lightweight, nightgown and pinching her smooth bottom.
“Mmm, I look forward to it,” she replied, pressing against him.
With a last, heated kiss, he let go and sauntered out of the suite, proud smile on his face.
The aquarium was a hit with both of them, especially the touching pool. Amaya mostly just splashed in the water, squealing and giggling. Baba picked up a sea star and helped her touch it, watching her eyes grow wide.
Then it was time for a diaper change, followed by a snack on a bench in front of the shark tank. After burping her, Baba held her up to the cold glass, smiling as she tried to reach out and touch the big fish that were just beyond her grasp, until she yawned widely and lost interest.
“Is my little princess ready for a nap?” He smiled at the sleepy grin.
Keeping a burp cloth handy, he put her back into the pack, facing him this time. She promptly fell asleep, so he decided to head to the mall. The rocking of the train was soothing, helping his little girl sleep.
While they rode, he kept one hand on her back. He doubted he could put into words the absolute wonder becoming a father had been, and continued to be, for him.
First, the night of that auction, when a small woman had stolen his heart, though he hadn’t realized it until a few weeks later. Then, the realization that she loved him in return. Next, the day she agreed to become his wife and, a few months later, the announcement that they were going to become parents. He’d been so happy and, at the same time, so utterly terrified. As the day of Amaya’s arrival drew closer, he’d gotten more and more nervous, certain that he’d cause irreparable damage, or that somehow, he would lose them or cause them to leave.
All of that ended the first time his wife placed their daughter in his arms, whispering “Amaya, meet your father.”
Baba had nearly sobbed in his rapture, knowing in an instant that he would move heaven and earth for this tiny girl.
The outer facade of the mall was still decked out in streamers and flags from the grand opening celebration; they flapped and snapped in the brisk breeze as he entered the building.
The gallery that was hosting Ota’s show was at the other end of the shopping center, and Amaya still slept, so Baba decided to look through the stores as he meandered along the promenade. Making sure his little girl was still asleep, he ducked into a high-end lingerie shop and picked out a present for his wife, then continued on his way.
Ota’s exhibit was beautifully arranged, of course. Ota was swamped by reporters when he arrived. He waved a hand at his friend and proceeded to walk around the exhibit, stopping in front of his favorite portrait. Amaya chose that moment to wake up, her small, flying fist connecting with his chin. He chuckled and lifted her from the pack.
“Well, hello again, my little sleeping beauty. Did you have a nice nap?” He rubbed his nose against hers, smiling at the baby giggles and the tiny hands reaching for his cheeks.
He chuckled and turned her around, so she was facing the portrait.
“Look, here’s the painting Uncle Ota did of you when you were just brand new,” he spoke quietly into her nearest ear. Little hands reached out to try and touch the beautiful colors, but Baba had made certain to stand out of her reach.
He turned as a strange commotion came up behind him. Ota was grinning widely.
“And how is my little fairy?” Ota asked as he stopped in front of them. Amaya burbled and waved her arms at the familiar voice, causing Ota’s smile to brighten further, as he held out his hands toward the little girl.
Baba chuckled as he handed her over, already knowing better than to keep his daughter from her favorite ‘uncle’.
They spent several hours with Ota that day. Baba still had pictures of Ota and Amaya in the mall’s play area from that day.
The little girl had been exhausted once the pair finally returned home, leaving him with lots of time for his amazing wife.
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He brought his mind back to the reception, watching his baby girl dance, wearing the wedding gown her favorite uncle had designed especially for her. It was nearly time to send the newlyweds off on their honeymoon, and then, once the guests were gone and the hall was clean, he knew it would be his turn to be strong for his wife. He hadn’t let her down in all their years together, and he certainly wasn’t going to start now.
