Theo’s heart skipped a beat and he held his breath, staring at his wife’s chest until he saw that it was rising and falling steadily.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled at how quickly she had passed out.
“I don’t know, little Rose.” He shook his head and bounced the child in his arms. “What are we going to do with her?”
Feeling a little braver now that he had been holding her for a few minutes, Theo pushed himself carefully from the bed so as not to wake Fleur and quietly tiptoed over to the nearest open window. He ensured the blanket was wrapped around the small bundle in his arms before stepping into the breeze.
He stood gazing out over the hills, watching the birds flit about. A sparrow hawk hovered in the distance, circling as though it had centered in on its prey. The trees rustled in the breeze and the sun was shining from a cloudless sky.
“What a beautiful day to introduce you to the world,” Theo said out loud even though he knew the baby could never understand him. He had spent the last few months talking to her inside Fleur’s stomach and he wasn’t about to stop now.
“One day, little Rose, this will all be yours,” he said, holding her in one arm while gesturing out over his kingdom with his other hand.
He remained there until his mother returned and removed the baby from his arms. Fleur still rested peacefully, whimpering every so often as though she was dreaming.
“Your brothers are waiting to celebrate with you,” his mother explained as she began to cradle the child, walking up and down the room.
“I will join them,” Theo said and nodded. Before leaving the room, he walked back to Fleur’s bedside and leaned down to press his lips to her forehead. Stroking hair from her face, he gazed down at her and committed the serenity he found there to memory. He had never seen her look so peaceful, so beautiful, and a part of him longed to just slip into bed beside her. Yet he knew he couldn’t. Fleur had done her job of bringing their daughter into the world and now he had to do his by going to announce it.
“Don’t keep them waiting too long,” his mother advised. “The longer you wait, the rowdier they will be.”
I just hope I can survive a celebration with my brothers, he thought, not at all sure he would be able to keep up with them.
Unsure as to whether or not Fleur would hear him, he leaned down to her ear and whispered, “I am so proud of you.”
*****
THE END