A warm afternoon sun spilled through a second story open window at the Benbow Inn. As it did, a faint breeze followed with just enough of a gust to flutter the curtains and caress the face of the young father in the corner armchair. For once the clouds had parted to allow a sun-kissed blue sky.Â
Jimâs own blue eyes gazed upon it, studying the atmosphere with intensity. It would have been a perfect day for setting sail, and yetâŠ
The breeze gusted again, kissing his hair and nuzzling the face of the sleeping newborn in his arms. Ella was swaddled, a small cap atop her head, but at the feel of the wind, she scrunched her face in her sleep and tilted her chin, drawing Jimâs gaze back down to her.
His soft smile danced down upon his little girl as he adjusted somewhat, taking care to better support her. Everything was quiet, still, as he now studied the way Ellaâs tiny body rose and fell with her breath.
Reaching out a finger, he let it rest softly against her cheek. Ella squirmed again, but she did not wake, instead, she seemed to be pressing her face closer to his appendage as if enjoying the touch. Jimâs grin widened. He really couldnât stop smiling, despite the exhaustion, every time he looked at her, cozied her. He still couldnât believe she was real. That she was finally here. How had he lived his entire life up until now without her? The voyages, the accolades, the dangersâŠthe whole of the universe and his place within it suddenly condensed down to a single point of existence in the form of his little girl.
The wind stole in again, drawing Jimâs eyes briefly back toward the sky as though it were teasing him. There was, of course, some part of him that would never cease longing for that beyond, the air crisp in his lungs, mouth full of starlightâŠ
Ella pressed closer to his finger still against her tiny cheek, and Jim allowed the sensation to pass through himâŠbefore dissipating.
âIâm here,â he breathed to the quiet radiance of the room at that hour. Ella did not move again, but the words were a great comfort to Jim in that moment as his throat constricted. Another grin stretched his mouth as he drew her in, cradled her frame, head bowing toward her. âI promise.â
