World of If

Life

Slowly Danny got into a routine. He was happy with his new job (such as it was) but he hoped to get a better one after he got his degree. He still wanted to work in legal just not the lawyer part.

It took several weeks to get into a routine where he was comfortable with his new job and then adding school on top of it a few months later. As far as his relationship with Dahlia they saw each other frequently and worked on continuing their relationship, but since they were both working and in school their time was precious and when they weren't studying they took full advantage of their time together. At least they didn't have to be conspicuous about how and where they went on a date now they were just two people continuing a growing relationship.

"So when is Beth due?" Dahlia asked one evening when they were coming home such an excursion.

"End of July." Danny answered.

"Soon." Dahlia replied nodding and pursing her lips, "You nervous?"

"Not yet." Danny answered chuckling, "I think I will be when it actually happens."

"She doesn't know what she's having?" Dahlia asked.

"She wants to be surprised." Danny replied with a laugh, "from what she's told me I think she's ready for anything, so she says."

"How you getting down there?" Dahlia asked.

Danny shrugged as he stretched.

"I'll rent a car, at least for the day. However, decent day afraid the bus is the only thing I can afford... Until I can save money for a car."

Dahlia nodded.

"I'd let you borrow mine but, well I kind of need it." She laughed softly, "I guess we're kind of in the same boat."

"Except you have the wheels," Danny countered, "I'm starting over and flying by the seat of my pants."

This time Dahlia laughed out loud. "That's one way to put it."

The day Beth went into labor was crazy and Danny reflected babies didn't exactly tell you when they were coming. He had just enough time to order the rental and call into work as soon as they were open telling his supervisor he would take the next couple of day off. He has already indicated he would need the time off so he was already down for time off he just had to be conservative about how much since he only has so many days.

As soon as he was able to get his rental car he headed towards Indiana. Barring any road construction, it would only take about four hours, but he didn't exactly know when Beth it had been admitted the hospital but he was sure he could make it in time.

So maybe his entrance into the Indiana hospital wasn't the best. He raced into the lobby like a bat out of hell and he was pretty sure he scared the receptionist, a brown haired twenty something with her hair in a ponytail.

After she recovered she finally spoke as he approached the desk.

"May I help you?"

"Yes. I'm here to see Elizabeth Conway she was brought in to labor and delivery."

The receptionist punched a few buttons on the phone nearby.

"Your name and relationship to Miss Conway?" The receptionist looked at him quizzically as if she was two seconds away from calling security.

"Oh, yeah. Danny Harper, I'm the father... of the baby." He added lamely.

"Right." The receptionist said in a no nonsense voice. She tapped away on her computer for a few minutes before replying. "Floor four room 406."

"Thank you." Danny replied hastily before heading for the elevator.

When Danny reached the room in question he was met by Beth's parents. In the background over their shoulder he could see Beth in a bed and hear the beeping of monitors.

"Hey." Beth panted when she finally looked up at him.

Danny looked questioningly at her parents.

"So how far along is she?"

"6 cm." Mrs. Conway replied matter-of-factually. "She's been in labor since yesterday evening and they broke her water a few hours ago. The doctor thinks the baby should be here by later this afternoon or early evening."

Danny nodded then sat down to wait momentarily squeezing Beth's hand in an encouraging sort of way.

No less than two hours later Mr. Conway and Danny were shooed out of the room as Beth got ready to push.

"Sorry Danny." Beth looked apologetic, "This just kind of feels weird... The nurse will let you know when you can come back in." She gave her father another apologetic look. "Sorry dad." She bit her lip but her father only nodded, patted Danny shoulder and the two men exited the room.

No less than thirty minutes later Danny finally heard the distinct cry a newborn and a few minutes later the nurse poked her head out.

"You can come back in now and cut the cord if you like."

Danny only nodded mutely as he followed the nurse back into the room.

Beth was laying there with the baby on her chest, she looked tired but happy.

"It's a boy." She said with a small smile. With the doctors instructed Danny how to cut the cord and looked down at his son with a smile. Once the baby was clean and dry he was wrapped in a blanket.

"You can hold him if you like." Beth said encouragingly as the baby was transferred from her to Danny.

"What are you going to call him?" Danny asked.

"David Charles." Beth answered, "After my dad and grandpa."

Danny nodded smiling looking down at his son again and only handed him back to Beth when he began to fuss and cry.

"He's probably hungry." The nurse said, "I will send by a lactation specialist to work with you shortly."

An hour later Beth was moved to the postpartum floor and settled into a room where her family came and went admiring David as he lay in his bassinet.

At some point Danny felt like he was in the way and that goodbye to Beth and his son, promising to be back in the morning before he left.

"I'll send pictures-lots of them." Beth told him.

Danny chuckled.

"I have no doubt."

Danny left the hospital somehow feeling lighter, but at the same time keenly aware of the burden of responsibility that lay on him now and he absently wondered, as he slid back into the front seat to the rental car, if all first time fathers felt this way; some type of nervous excitement that had you elated and terrified all at the same time.

This story is finally winding down. I'm glad to almost begun a it considering I didn't know exactly which direction it was going or how to even begin it initially. One more chapter coming in the next few weeks when I have time to sit down and write it.