Father and Son

Meeting

--First short story ever published for the world to see. Please let me know any comments and constructive criticsm, thanks--

The moonlight streamed through the sheer curtains and landed in the master bedroom of a Mr. and Mrs. Thornton. Of the two people, only one was soundly sleeping after an exhausting ordeal of labor. The master of Marlborough Mills, however, was wide awake, unlike the state of his wife. 

John Thornton turned to gaze loving at his wife, soundly asleep after what had felt like to him days of labor. He still shuddered to think of the hours beforehand when he had been locked out of the delivery room as his precious wife screamed in agony. As custom dicated, he was not allowed to be present for the birthing, but only saw his mother, betsy, or the nurse occasionally rush out when they came for hot water or other supplies. Helpless to relieve any of Margaret's pain, John simply paced as the clock struck on into the early evening. Finally when he felt that he could bare it no more, his mother came out. 

In his state of anxiety, he had not realized that Margaret no longer screamed, but had instead been replaced by the crying of a new life. His mother met him with tears glistening in her eyes. "John, go in and see your wife and child." 

John did not need any more urging as he took the steps two at a time to get to his wife and new child. He cautiously knocked on the door, full of both excitement and nerves, before he was ushered in by the sound of Margaret calling his name.

Slowly, John opened the door and was struck down with awe at the picture in front of him. He paid little heed to the others in the room cleaning up, but was solely focused on the vision of his wife sitting in their bed with a small bundle in her arms. Before he realized what was happening, he had arrived by the side of the bed. 

Margaret looked up at her husband in sheer exhaustion, but also undeniable joy diffusing across her face. John felt that she had never looked more beautiful than at that moment, and gave a soft but fervent kiss to her forehead. 

Wordlessly she closed her eyes and held up the warm moving bundle to him, "your son, John." With infinite care, John took him from her and walked to the window to better see him. It was at this moment that Mr. John Thornton, Master of Malborough Mills fell in love, the second time.

He gazed upon the most perfect of creations. His son! His son with downy soft hair spread over his small head. John moved to caress his cheek and marveled at the silk like feeling of his skin. The infant looked up in curiosity at his father, with the same striking shade of blue, before yawning open his rosebud mouth. 

Only a year ago, his life had looked bleak beyond imagination. Then Margaret had accepted him when he thought least possible and they had created a life together. Now that he held his son in his arms, John quickly felt the tears welling up in his eyes. Before he could stop it, a drop fell on the soft skin of his son's face. Quickly, but with the utmost care, John wiped it away with his thumb. 

"John, are you well?" Margaret asked. John slowly turned to his wife with tears still in his eyes and moved back to her side. "I have never been so happy in my life, Margaret" John replied. Margaret simply looked at him with upmost compassion and love, as the family of three rested together. 

Hours later, John laid awake in his bed, unable to sleep. Throwing off the covers, he padded over to the crib that had been set up in their bedroom and looked down once again at the precious gift that had been given to him. He sent up a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving to the Almighty as he moved a stray wisp of hair off his son's cheek. "Edward John Thornton, you shall be cherished for the rest of your life, I promise."