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Touya stirred to the sound of a baby’s cry. Oh, Champion. I love you, baby boy, but my goodness sleeping through the night is too much to ask this early in your life, huh?
He looked over at his wife. Machelle was dead to the world. Rightfully so, he thought. She usually handled the late night calls of their newest born, but tonight seemed to have taken it all out of her. It being their second time around didn’t make it any easier. Touya chuckled to himself. Well, maybe not easier, but different. Machelle had never slept through any of their little girl’s cries when she had joined the household. He watched their mother for a moment longer before sighing. “Come on, Touya. Go be Daddy.”
He listened as he pushed himself up, eyebrows furrowing. Well that’s different. The house was quiet. He tilted his head, closing his eyes to listen harder. Nope, Champion was no longer fussing. While that was good, parental instincts, or maybe just a desire to be sure, had him extricating himself from the bed, turning back to press a light kiss to Machelle’s temple as she stirred. “Coming right back, hon’.”
Touya padded out of the bedroom, leaving the door open. His socks only made his steps over the tile floor quieter as he walked across the hall to the baby’s room, listening out.
The baby’s door was open. Nothing out of the ordinary there. He peeked inside, stopping short as a soft little voice reached his ears. He froze with his back to the wall just outside the threshold.
“Champion…” His five-year-old daughter’s voice called softly. In the sliver of light, he could make out the shape of Maya’s form standing by her brother’s crib, one little hand reaching between the bars touching him. Champion began to fuss again, but Touya could tell he was forcing it. Maya started to sing, and Touya recognized the song instantly.
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are Mine
Touya’s heart melted as Champion’s fussing gave way to his sister’s voice, gently offering the words of comfort their mother used to settle them to sleep. She only sang the chorus, but those five lines repeating was enough for the baby to officially give up his fussing and settle back into slumber.
“There you go, Champion.” Maya whispered as she patted him lightly. “You don’t have to be scared. I’m right here, and Mommy and Daddy are right in the next room.”
A smile tugged at Touya’s lips. Had he really had a part in raising such a tender child? He had to thank ‘Chelle. He would be worried about the little girl not being able to wake up tomorrow, but it was Saturday. She had nowhere to be and beyond that, her practice was always to be up in time to watch her favourite cartoons that started right around the time he usually left for work.
Instead of returning to her room, Maya went over and curled up in the rocking chair situated at the end of the crib. The stopper beneath one leg did its job superbly, and she covered herself with the little blanket.
After watching them a moment longer, Touya returned to his bedroom. Machelle was still lost to the world of dreams. He checked the digital clock on the bureau drawer. Still a couple of hours before he had to get ready for work. He looked forward to telling her the story at his earliest opportunity, anticipating the cutesy sounds she would make and the way her face would light up. And to think there was a time in his life when the thought of a family made him scoff, and a further time when the thought of children terrified him. Him? A father? But here he was. Married with two of his own that he loved, cherished, and would do anything for. Wonders never ceased.