Behind Again

Another two-fer because I fell behind. Life happens! So the first story is a "flag" story and the second is a "father" story. The first is just some thoughts and feelings about our flag while the second captures that first moment when a man realizes that he's become a daddy. Enjoy!

Flag
It's changed over the years, but what it symbolizes has remained constant. Freedom. Sacrifice. Determination. Justice. To some it's just a piece of cloth, some stripes and stars put together. But to those who understand its value, it becomes so much more. The stars, one for each state, tell us that we're a piece of a greater whole. Stars shine brightly in a clear night sky. Little pinpoints of light in a dark world. The stars on our flag remind us that we have a responsibility to our community and our nation. One star alone doesn't seem to give much light, but a sky-full can brighten the shadows. The stripes remind us of our heritage. Thirteen stripes for thirteen colonies. It reminds us that a few men, standing together in faith, can overcome impossible odds.
We have a responsibility to those who came before to carry on the legacy of freedom. To fly the flag in respect and ensure that the next generation knows its history and its future. We have a responsibility to those in the rising generation to pass the legacy to them. We need to teach them that freedom isn't free. They need to understand the red in our flag is symbolic not only of an ideal, but of the blood shed in the defense of our flag and nation.
Too many have forgotten the legacy we have been given. Too many have disregarded it as trivial. Far too many have given up. We need to remember the symbolism and majesty that goes into our flag. We need to remember the sacrifices of others that have given us a land of freedom and opportunity. We need to hold close to that legacy and pass it on. A symbol only remains effective as long as its purpose is remembered. Remember the flag. Remember the symbolism found within it. And remember those who have fought and died defending those stars and stripes and the land they represent.


Father
Adrian paced the hall in front of Allegra's room. As much as he wanted to be inside helping her, his mother had insisted he stay outside. "This is not the place for you."
He couldn't think of anywhere he more needed to be than in that room with his wife. His heart ached as he heard grunts and cries of pain.
"Adrian, my lad, you're going to wear a path in the carpet if you keep this up," his uncle said gently. "You've been pacing for hours."
"What's taking so long?"
Sebastian laughed. "It's not easy bringing a baby into the world. Relax. Between your mother, Bethany and the midwife she's in good hands. Not to mention Rowena is there with her."
"I still don't understand why her parents aren't here. I sent the message that she was coming due a week ago."
"Perhaps they had business to conduct."
"Her mother surely could have been spared."
A high-pitched shriek echoed in the hallway, causing Adrian to turn to the door in a panic. His hand reached for the knob.
"Let it be, lad," Sebastian said, placing a hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Allegra's a strong girl. She's doing fine, I'm sure of it."
"How do you know?" he asked painfully as another cry rent the air.
"Have some faith in her."
"I just don't like her to be in pain without me there to comfort her."
"That's why she's surrounded by women. Two of whom know that pain."
"I'm amazed women want to have children at all," Adrian muttered as another shrill cry made him resume his pacing.
"Maternal instinct is stronger than the pain, lad. But, this fretting is not going to help Allegra. Sit down and relax."
"I can't," Adrian snapped. Then he sighed, "Sorry, I'm just..."
"Worried, I know."
There was silence for a while which caused Adrian to stand terrified in front of the door. Had something happened? Was something wrong? Why was it so quiet? Then there was a soft cry from inside the room. It wasn't Allegra's voice he heard. Emotions swirled in him as he realized that he was hearing his child's voice for the first time. All of a sudden it was real. He was a father.
After a few moments, the door opened a smidge and Nana came out with a tiny, wrapped bundle. "You have a beautiful baby girl, Adrian," she said, handing the child to him.
Though he normally was not one to cry, tears welled in his eyes as he saw for the first time the little miracle life had given him. "Hello," he choked. "I'm your daddy."
The tiny baby girl cried a little and Adrian offered her a finger. She tightened her grip around it and he knew that his life would never be the same. "Can I see Allegra now?"
There was a cry of pain as Nana said, "No dear, not yet. This baby is just the first."
Adrian stood gaping for a moment. "First?"
"Of course, dear. You've carried on the tradition of twins. Now I'm going to go back in and help Allegra. You get to know your new baby."
Adrian held his daughter, rocking her gently in his arms as though he'd been doing it all his life.
Sebastian stood behind him and looked down at the baby girl. "She's lovely, Adrian. What are you going to call her?"
"I promised Allegra that if we had a girl, she could name her."
Sebastian laughed. "I guess you better hope the second baby is a boy, or you won't be naming anyone."
Sitting down on the bench with his new daughter, Adrian laughed. He couldn't have cared less if he got to name a baby or not. All he cared about was taking care of the little child in his arms while Allegra gave birth to the second.
It was a long while before a second, tiny cry was heard. Adrian was beside himself wanting to go and see his wife and new baby. Within a few minutes, Rowena came out with a second bundle. "You have another daughter, Adrian. Bethany was quite surprised. Normally twins in your family come as one of each."
Pride swelled in Adrian's heart as he handed the first little girl to Sebastian so he could meet the second. Her bright blue eyes were open and looking directly at him. She squealed a little and he held her tiny hand. "Hello, little one," he said tenderly. He looked up at Rowena. "Now can I see Allegra?"
"They were helping her get cleaned up when I left. Let me see if they're ready for you." She disappeared inside the room, leaving Sebastian and Adrian outside again.
"Quite a miracle, life, isn't it?" Sebastian said.
"Yeah, it is," Adrian agreed. It wasn't long before the door was opened and he was ushered inside. Allegra was leaning against her pillows, her skin flushed and her hair, despite having been braided back, a mess. He leaned down and kissed her gently. "I love you so much. Are you okay? Can I get anything for you?"
She smiled wearily. "I'm fine, dear. Right now I just want to rest."
"I'm afraid before you can do that," Nana said, "you need to feed these little ones. They're not going to wait forever."
Sebastian had come in and handed the oldest daughter to her before walking out again.
As the baby began to suck noisily, Adrian hardly listened to the conversation going on between Allegra and the midwife. He couldn't get over the fact that he was now a father. Allegra caught his gaze and smiled, "What are you thinking about?"
"Just how unreal this all is."
She laughed. "Tell me about it." The first little girl finished eating and she traded with Adrian for the second. "I guess we should name these little ones."
"You're responsible for girl's names. I just picked out boy names."
Allegra laughed again, though with a yawn. "I've had a list of names since I was twelve, but none of them seem to match these little girls. Want to help me out?"
Adrian looked at the little girl snuggled against his chest. She had a tuft of dark hair and her eyes were closed in sleep. There was a serene look about her. "What if we called her Bethany, after Nana?"
"Bethany," Allegra repeated. "I like that." She looked down at the baby she was feeding. "I never thought I'd use my grandmother's name, but she does look like a Dorothy, don't you think?"
"I like Dorothy," Adrian agreed.
Allegra sighed contentedly and leaned against the pillows. "Bethany and Dorothy. We're going to have our hands full."
"We probably would either way," Adrian teased. "I suppose I better send out a proclamation to let everyone know."
"That would be best," Allegra yawned.
Rowena came and took the sleeping baby from her as Adrian leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest, love. You definitely deserve it."
"Mm-hmm"
As his wife fell into a peaceful sleep, Adrian walked over to the bassinet Rowena was laying Dorothy in. "How are we ever going to tell them apart?" he whispered as he lay Bethany next to her sister.
"Simple," Rowena replied, taking the purple ribbon from her hair. She tied it gently around Bethany's wrist. "You dress them in different colors until they're big enough for you to know."
"What if they're identical?"
"They aren't," Rowena replied. "You see? Bethany has dark hair and poor Dorothy is bald. What little fuzz she has is blonde. Come now, let's let them rest."
Adrian looked at the sleeping girls and his wife one last time, worry in his eyes. "Are you sure they'll be okay?"
Rowena smiled. "They're fine Adrian. Come along."
As he left the room, Adrian felt all the worry and fear of the past several hours melt in the satisfaction of knowing that his wife was safe. They had two beautiful little girls. He knew that things would be different now. But his heart was so full of love for those little bundles sleeping in Allegra's room and for his wife, that he didn't mind at all the changes that were to come. He only wished that his sister was there to share in his joy. He frowned as he looked out a nearby window. "Moira, I hope Lucian finds you soon." Then he continued to his office to write out the proclamation declaring his pride at becoming a father to two lovely daughters.