Papa's Baby Girl

Chapter 6

Sasuke was 24-years-old when Sarada was born. He was terrified, no matter how many times Sakura tried to calm him down and reassure them that they would be just fine and be able to take care of their soon-to-be-born daughter. He was just scared to death about being a father, having his own child to take care of.

It scared him to think about the fact that, this tiny baby girl, would be under his care, guidance, protection, until she was around eighteen-years-old.

He never thought that, almost immediately after they got married, that Sakura would get pregnant and they would have a child right away. Sakura had entertained the thought before, even told Sasuke that when she found out she was pregnant, but Sasuke never had the thought cross his mind. He thought they would be married for a year or two before they had a child, not that they would conceive their first child while on their honeymoon.

And because of that, he was scared of every thought he had as time went on and the due date got closer and closer.

When Sarada was born, though, every fear left him and he calmed completely the moment Sakura placed their newborn daughter in his arms.

Sarada stared up at him with so much wonder on her face that it made him grin as he held her, promising that he would take care of her and make sure nothing hurt her.

And for the past seven years, that promise had been kept.

Sarada had become a big sister just a year ago, to a baby brother, Mamoru, who looked exactly like Sakura. Sarada wasn't sure at first about having the brother she asked for, but she became more open as time went on and she was able to hold him the day after he was born, smiling and giggling as she did so and told everyone how much she loved him.

Today was one of those now rare days that Sasuke and Sarada were home alone together. Sakura had taken Mamoru out of town so her parents could see him, and she and Sasuke had decided it would be less stressful if he and Sarada stayed home, which they did.

Now, Sasuke was regretting not going with Sakura. Something was wrong with Sarada and he didn't know what it was, but it had hit her hard enough that she hadn't eaten anything since early morning and she was complaining of stomach pains.

At first he thought all Sarada had was a stomachache, and he could deal with that, until it got later in the day and Sarada was still in pain and it seemed to be getting worse.

The only thing Sasuke could think of doing at that moment was calling Sakura, which he did as soon as he found the phone.

"Sarada is sick and in pain and I don't know what to do."

Sasuke heard nothing but silence for a moment, before Sakura started speaking.

"Does she had a fever?"

"What part of "she's sick" did you not understand?"

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura sighed and Sasuke could just see her shaking her head. "Calm down for a moment, please. What kind of pain is she in?"

"She says her stomach hurts and that it's gotten worse since this afternoon."

"Oh, boy. Which side is she having the most pain on?"

"The right."

Sasuke looked at Sarada, who was still laying the couch beside him. He hadn't seen her this in pain from being sick since she was tiny, and knew this was something different than a normal cold or stomachache.

"It sounds like she may have appendicitis. You need to take her to the hospital right away."

"Hospital... are you sure?"

"Yes. If it is appendicitis, they need to remove her appendix before it ruptures and makes everything a thousand times worse."
"We're going now."

"Good."

After hanging up the phone, Sasuke immediately got Sarada up off the couch, barely having the chance to throw a coat or blanket over her to keep her warm before she started asking where they were going.

Sasuke did not want to scare her into thinking she was getting stitches like when she was two, and simply told her they were going to stay somewhere else for the night because that would make her feel better.

Sarada agreed to it before bringing up the pain in her stomach once again, saying that it still hurt and she wanted to go to sleep but couldn't because of it.

"It's all right, Sarada. You're going to be just fine."

I hope.

+!+

Sarada was in and out of her surgery in less than hour. Sasuke had stayed in the same spot in the waiting room the entire time, praying and watching the clock in the hopes that everything would be fine with Sarada and he would be able to take her home in a day or two, possibly before Sakura and Mamoru returned from their trip to her parents' house.

After about forty-five minutes, Sarada's surgeon finally came back and told Sasuke that everything went well, that she was now resting in a hospital room and would be able to go home the day after tomorrow, but that it would take a few weeks before she would be recovered enough to continue with her normal routine.

Sakura's going to be mad if they fall behind in Sarada's school work... she'll have to work through part of June because of this. Or just not have a Christmas break.

Sasuke smiled a little, shaking his head as he watched Sarada sleep. She already looked better than she had that entire day, and he was thankful she was sleeping. He was fairly convinced Sakura would get over the fact that Sarada would fall behind in her school, especially if she knew that Sarada was tried to work through twice as much the last few days so she could spend the whole weekend with Sasuke without worrying about school.

Sasuke wasn't the least bit sure if he would be allowed to stay with Sarada all night, even though he had spoken to several nurses and doctors to get permission to do, no one had confirmed nor denied his request.

But while he watched her sleep, Sasuke knew he would do everything within his power to stay with his little girl, just so she didn't wake up alone in a strange place.

After a few minutes, Sasuke had nearly fallen asleep as she stayed next to his daughter's bed, only to be woken up by her trying to talk to him before he had fully fallen asleep.

"Papa?"

"Mm?" Sasuke opened his eyes, looking at Sarada, who stared back at him, confused about where she was and what happened.

"What happened, papa?"

Smiling, Sasuke shook his head and leaned over, kissing Sarada's forehead and patting her head. "Don't worry about it right now. The doctors here took good care of you. You're all better... go back to sleep, sweetheart."

Sarada pouted for a moment, before nodding and closing her eyes.

"I love you, papa."

Sasuke couldn't keep the smile of his face, allowing Sarada to have some silence as she fell back asleep.

I love you too, Sarada.