willsmith!youngdad x fem!reader
summary. will becoming a dad young was something he’d always wanted to do, especially after just marrying you— but somehow after everything, he still faces the struggle of thinking he won’t be enough with his busy life. the moment will holds his baby girl, all his thoughts immediately went away as he teared up.
warning. established relationship, mentions of birth, slight angst, fluff, struggle, mentions of pregnancy
a/n. I don’t know what type of writing spirit came over me when I did this because I’ve never written this well before.. trying locking in with all the requests today 🔥🔥
The Sharks’ season had been moving at a pace that never seemed to slow down. Between practices, road trips, and games in different cities every week, Will was almost never in one place for very long. Every interview ended the same way too.
“So… how’s fatherhood coming along?” a reporter asked with a grin after practice.
Will smiled automatically. “She isn’t here yet, but we’re both really excited.”
He always sounded confident.
He always looked excited.
But the moment he climbed into his truck and the doors shut behind him, the smile slowly disappeared.
You found him in the nursery later that night.
The room was almost finished. A white crib sat against the wall, stuffed animals lined the shelves, and tiny pink clothes filled the dresser. Warm light from a small lamp made the room feel peaceful.
Will sat on the floor with one of your daughter’s tiny socks resting in his palm.
“You’ve been in here for twenty minutes,” you said softly, leaning against the doorway.
He looked up and gave you a small smile.
You slowly walked over, one hand supporting your belly before lowering yourself beside him.
“What are you thinking about?” Lifting your free hand to intertwine your fingers together.
He looked back down at the sock.
“What if she doesn’t know me?” He paused before turning his head towards you, “I mean.. I’m still only 21.”
He rubbed the fabric between his fingers.
“It’s just… hockey season is crazy.” He let out a quiet laugh, but somehow there was no happiness in it. “I’m flying somewhere every week. There are road trips that last days.”
His face changed as he sighed.
“What if she says her first word while I’m gone? Or takes her first steps?” His voice became quieter. “What if I’m just… someone who visits every now and then?”
You reached over and gently took the sock from his hand.
He looked at you, his eyes already beginning to water.
“You know what she’s going to remember?”
“She’s going to remember that her dad loved her.”
He looked away. “But what if love isn’t enough?”
Your already connected fingers squeezed his hands. You could feel that Will’s palms were sweaty from all the nervousness.
“You already love her more than anything.”
His shoulders slumped. “I don’t know if I’ll be a good dad.”
“You already are.” Your words softening. He gave you a confused look before you continued, “You’ve read every parenting book you could find.” You smiled. “You installed the car seat three different times because you thought you did it wrong.”
You laughed. “You cried because you accidentally bought newborn diapers instead of size one.”
You rested the sock against his lap, Will breaking eye contact to look down at it. “You worry because you care.”
He stayed quiet. “Bad dads don’t spend nights wondering if they’re good enough.”
For a long moment, neither of you spoke. Then he leaned over and kissed your forehead. “I just want to give her everything I can..” He whispered, his lips softly grazing your temple.
“You already are everything she’ll need.”
After that conversation, Will tried not to let the fear control him. Whenever he left for away games, he’d kneel beside your belly before walking out the door.
“You stay in there for Daddy, okay?” He’d grin before kissing your stomach.
You laughed every single time. “She can’t even hear you bargaining.”
Every night he was away, he’d facetime you before going to bed
The first thing he’d ask wasn’t how you were feeling anymore.
Even if the call only lasted five minutes, he made sure to see your face and say goodnight to your stomach. “Don’t miss me too much,” he’d tease.
“I make no promises,” you replied.
At thirty-eight weeks, everyone became nervous.
His teammates noticed his phone was never on silent and was always on him.
“If she calls, I have to be able to answer right away.”
Nobody argued. His coach simply nodded.
The game against Anaheim was supposed to be routine.
You stayed home with Will’s parents because your doctor had suggested taking it easy. You were curled up on the couch, watching the broadcast while Will’s mom folded tiny baby blankets beside you.
Halfway through the second period, a sharp pain made you pause. “…Ow.”
You nodded it off, softly rubbing your overgrown belly. “I think so.”
Then another contraction hit.
You grabbed the armrest as Will’s mom immediately stood.“Honey?”
You looked at her with wide eyes. “I— I think we need to go.”
At the arena, Will had just finished celebrating a goal with his teammates when someone called his name.
“Will!” He turned to see one of the team staff members waving him toward the bench.
His coach already had a phone in his hand. “It’s your wife.”
Every bit of excitement from the game disappeared. Will grabbed the phone without another thought.
Your breathing was uneven. “Will…”
For a second, he couldn’t speak.
“I’m at the hospital.” Another breath escaped you. “I think she’s coming.”
“I’ll be there.” The words came out before he could even think.
“You don’t have to leave the game—”
“I’m already leaving.” He answered as he handed the phone back before ripping off one glove.
His teammates watched in silence as he hurried toward the tunnel. The coach stopped him just long enough to squeeze his shoulder. “Go meet your daughter.”
Will nodded once before disappearing down the hallway.
The drive to the hospital felt like hours to him.
His knee bounced the entire way while he checked his phone every few seconds. He reread your messages even though he’d already memorized every word.
“Can we go any faster?” he asked for the third time.
The staff member driving laughed nervously. “I’m trying.”
Will rubbed both hands over his face. “What if I miss it?”
By the time he reached the hospital, he barely remembered parking.
He ran through the entrance, still wearing part of his suit from the game. His tie was crooked, his hair was messy, and one dress shoe wasn’t even tied properly.
A nurse smiled the second she saw him.“Dad?”
He nodded breathlessly. “My wife. Yn Smith?”
She pointed toward the delivery room.
Will practically ran inside. He crossed the room in seconds and took your hand. “I’m sorry.”
“No.” He gently brushed hair away from your face. “I would’ve left every single time.”
Before you could answer, another contraction made you squeeze his hand so tightly he thought you might break it.
Will stayed beside you through every contraction, whispering sweet words whenever you felt like giving up.
“You’ve got this,” he said softly, wiping tears from your cheeks. “I’m right here.”
The room was filled with nurses moving around, doctors giving instructions, and the steady beeping of monitors.
You gave everything you had left.
A tiny cry suddenly filled the room.
The crying echoed through the delivery room, and every person inside smiled. “It’s a healthy baby girl,” the doctor announced.
The nurses wrapped your daughter in a soft pink blanket before walking over to him. “Dad?”
His hands shook as she carefully placed the tiny bundle into his arms.
She was so unbelievably small.
Her cheeks were pink, wisps of dark hair rested against her head, and her tiny fingers peeked out from the blanket. She made the quietest little sound before wrapping one impossibly small hand around his pinky.
Every fear he’d carried for months disappeared in an instant.
He wasn’t thinking about missing milestones.
He wasn’t wondering whether he’d be enough.
None of it mattered when his daughter slowly blinked before looking up at him.
For just a second.It felt like the entire world stopped.
A tear slipped down his cheek as the biggest smile you’d ever seen spread across his face. “Hi,” he whispered.
His voice cracked. “I’m your daddy.”
She yawned. Actually yawned.
Will laughed through his tears. “Oh… you’re perfect.” He leaned down carefully and kissed the top of her tiny head. “I was so scared.”
His words were barely above a whisper. “I kept thinking I was going to be gone too much. I thought you’d grow up without really knowing me.”
He looked down at her little face.
“But I promise you…” Another tear rolled down his cheek.
“I’ll never stop coming home to you.”
