Black Rose

Chapter 1-Lost All Alone

The man held his head in his hands while he waited for the nurse to arrive. Never had he ever been so anxious and scared in his life.

What if something went wrong?

What if she couldn't make through?

What if she di--

No. She won't die. He told himself. She can't die.The anxiety was already too much for him to bear.

Pushing aside all his thoughts the man- who seemed to be around his late twenties- went towards the hospital cafeteria. It was a crowded place and the smell of sweat was nauseating for the already tensed man.

As he poured himself a drink, he thought about the baby. His and his beloved wife's baby. As much as his wife wanted a boy, he wanted a girl. Daddy's girl to be precise. Well, the secret about whether it was a girl or a boy would be revealed today. Smiling at his thoughts he thought about the curled toes, first steps, first words, first smile...

As he returned back to his place, he saw some people already standing there, beaming- or in his brother's case- grinning.

"Hey soon-to-be-daddy" his brother smiled. "Hey soon-to-be-uncle" the guy grinned back.

He hadn't even gotten fully out of the bro-hug his brother had given him before he was engulfed into a bone-crushing bear hug by a person grinning from ear to ear.

"Woah! Slow down there, lady." he chimed.

"Where's Edith's mother?" a very excited sister asked.

"In the Labor room with them"

"Them?"

"You know, the most important people in my life. My wife and almost born child."

"Oh! so now I'm not even among the most important people of your life?"

Nah. Just kidding".

His sister chuckled and almost immediately, that chuckle changed into a frown.

"So much for expecting a simple 'hello' from you" his sister replied cheekily.

"So much for expecting a normal hug from you."

"You know you love me!"

"That ain't true, sissy"

"Hey- even if I'm your sister you don't get the right to call me a sissy."

"Thank heavens there is only one... you" he'd paused trying to find a suitable word for her sister's childish behaviour but failing, but then only stuck with 'you'

His sister smiled that mischievous smile she always used before saying something outrageous for the listener.

"I know you want the baby to be a girl. You wait and watch. There's gonna be another me in some minutes". Again that frustrating smile-

"You...you... MOM!"

Laughing at his behaviour, his mom replied "You are about to become a father. Try to be a bit more mature."

"You won't believe what Henley did at the plane--" his brother started.

But the chronicle of his sister's another mischief was cut off when the attending nurse's voice reached his ears.

"It's a baby girl!"

For a moment everyone stood there, dumbfounded. But when the reality seeped in, the father ran into the room to be greeted by a sight which made him the happiest man on earth.