lil short story

He sat, slightly slumped, on the edge of the bed, his weight sinking the mattress down. He wore nothing but a pair of running shorts that he used as pajamas, and some socks, his toned and fit body relaxed. His face slightly sagged from the heaviness of sleep, yet his eyes looked down with sparkling wonder at the bundle he carried in his arms. 

The tiny thing barely protruded from his father's protective arm. He clutched his father's finger with an unconscious desperation, and his short feet were bent just a bit above his full belly. Dark, thick curls filled his delicate head, a trait he shared with his father, and his healthy face was chubby and round, with defined lips pursed into a pout, eyes squeezed shut, a face that threatened to burst out wailing. His father, taking notice, began to rock him, softly, soothingly, as he watched with relief as the child's face relaxed back into a peaceful state. He continued to rock him, hoping to make the bundle fall asleep, so he could then join his wife, who laid in bed behind him, on her side, drowsy but watchful, smiling affectionately at the scenery in front of her.

The father continued to rock his baby,  lullabying under a rough yet soothing whisper. He continued this way for a few minutes until he could no longer feel the child stirring, a sign it was fast asleep, so he got up, the bed creaking from the weight release, and walked to the crib that stood a couple of feet from the bed.

With the most gentle care, he slowly set down the snoozing baby, mindful and almost afraid of its immense fragility. Once the child lay in the crib, the father continued to admire him with fond eyes, reaching in to stroke his face a final time, before turning to the bed. His wife, still smiling, glowed with warmth, as she met her eyes with him, fully aware of what he felt for her and their creation. He smiled back, lying next to her, enveloping her smaller body with his arms. She pulled her head up and, taking his face in her hands, planted a slow, gentle kiss on his forehead, then his lips. He returned it, kissing her also on her head when she lowered it, assuring her she, along with their child, were in safe hands.

He would protect them.