Of Anime, Poetry and Falling in Love: Mack and Rose

Disclaimer: See all other 59 challenges.

Challenge: Change

Timeframe: Post Series

Summary: Having one changes everything.

He was sitting in the new pink nursery, rocking the small bundle in his arms to sleep. "That's a good girl. My sweet, beautiful little Jamie. You look just like Mommy, you know. Yes you do. And you're gonna be a genius, just like her and Daddy's going to feel very out of place but that's all right. He doesn't mind." Mack planted a tiny peck on Jamie's forehead, causing her to open her eyes.

They were his eyes, which he was very pleased with. That seemed to be the only thing he had contributed to her so far. "Come on sweetie. Close those little blue eyes again. If Mommy sees that you're still awake we're both going to be in trouble," Mack whispered conspiratorially. He lifted one hand to his daughter's tiny round face, seeing if maybe he could close her eyes for her.

It didn't work, but not because of lack of trying. No, Jamie lifted a tiny hand of her own, wrapping her whole hand around Mack's index finger. He smiled down at her. "You really are a little genius. You're not supposed to be able to do that yet."

"Mack, you are aware that I can hear you talking to the baby, right? Because I can and I really don't appreciate you babbling. Let her get some sleep. She's been passed from visitor to visitor all day. Jamie's tired," Rose called from down the hall.

"Rose, look! Come here and look what she does already!" Mack yelled back. He heard Rose heave a sigh and pad down the hall to Jamie's room. "See? She can grab fingers already."

Rose took the baby from Mack and tried the same little experiment. Sure enough, Jamie latched onto Rose's finger as well. "You're a smart little girl, Jamie," Rose praised. "I'll get Daddy out of your hair now." She laid the baby in the white crib, checking that Jamie was comfortable. "Now come on," Rose said to Mack.

"She really has changed our lives, hasn't she, Rose? A year ago we would stay up late reading or just talking and now we stay up with the baby. It's so weird."

"Very. But she's worth it, Mack. We have everything we could possibly want…except a sleeping baby." Mack grinned.

"Come here Mommy," he said, holding out his arms. Rose did as she was told, snuggling against him without another word.