The soft glow of the moonlight spills into the nursery as I cradle my daughter in my arms. Her tiny hand is wrapped around my finger, and I gently sway back and forth, soothing her to sleep. It's been just over a month since she came into this world, and every moment with her has been an enchanting dream. Rafe and I have embraced parenthood with overwhelming love and support, cherishing every milestone and fleeting moment.
Tonight, however, the calmness of the night is interrupted by worry. The clock ticks past 2 am, and my daughter had been crying incessantly. I glance at the empty space beside me, where Rafe should have been, but he's nowhere to be found. He had promised he would be back by 11 pm, and I've been calling him anxiously, but he hasn't answered.
The world outside is unusually quiet, devoid of the usual sounds of life. No distant hum of cars, no barking dogs, and no laughter of passersby. Just silence. I look down at her as her eyelids flutter, a sign that she's finally finding some peace. Carefully, I decide to bring her to her crib and tuck her in, turning on her favorite night light to keep her company.
Her tiny form looks so vulnerable and innocent as she sleeps, and a mix of emotions floods my heart.
As I gaze at my slumbering daughter, tears well up in my eyes, reflecting the love and protectiveness I feel for her. "Oh, darlin', don't you ever grow up," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. "Just stay this little."
As I make my way back to my room, my heart feels heavy with conflicting emotions. I want to be there for her every moment, to shield her from any pain or sadness that may come her way. But exhaustion weighs me down, and I know I need some rest too. However, just as I'm about to step through the doorway, I pause, hesitating, and then turn back to her room.
The moonlight gently bathes her in a soft glow, and I lean over her crib, my tears falling silently. "I won't let anybody hurt you," I say, my voice trembling with emotion. "I won't let anyone break your heart. Just promise me, that you'll try to never grow up too fast."
With my hand resting on her tiny chest, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her breath, I feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility as her mother. I want to be her rock, her protector, and her safe haven in this vast and sometimes daunting world.
Suddenly, I hear the front door open, i go out of her room to see who it is and I see Rafe entering through the doorway. His eyes meet mine, and he can see the tears streaming down my cheeks.
"Hey," he says softly, closing the door behind him. "Not hey. Where have you been? I've been so worried," I express with a mix of frustration and concern.
He takes a deep breath and explains, "I'm sorry, love. It's just that Sarah and John B got into a huge argument, and she needed someone to talk to. my phone died, so I couldn't reach you, and then sarah left hers at john b's. I wanted to rush back home, but things got complicated."
Though I'm still upset, I can see the sincerity in his eyes. I can't stay mad at him for long, especially when he's here now, trying to explain. "Alright, but please just remember to charge your phone before you leave the house" I respond, my voice softening.
"Yeah" he says straching the back of his neck "I'm sorry. It won't happen again," he assures, moving closer to give me a reassuring hug.
As we stand there, embracing each other, the tension slowly dissipates. Rafe's presence brings a sense of calm, and I remember why we fell in love in the first place. But there's someone else we need to check on.
"You wanna see how our little girl is doing," I say, pulling away gently.
"Yes please," Rafe says smiling, following me to her room.
We both peek into her crib, and my heart melts as I see her sleeping soundly, undisturbed by the previous commotion. Her small chest rises and falls rhythmically, and I can't help but smile.
"Look at her," Rafe whispers, his voice filled with awe. "She's so precious."
I nod, placing my hand on hisRafe leans down to place a gentle kiss on our daughter's forehead, and I do the same. We exchange a knowing look, reaffirming our commitment to each other and to our little family.
