Published: August 10, 2026
It was a night where tension and anticipation intertwined.
I paced back and forth in the hallway, straining to hear the voices beyond the door. Every time the women helping with the birth came and went, I stopped and tried to ask about the situation, but most of the time I was simply waved off with, "Men should shut up and wait." There was no way I could grab them and press further, so I did my best to judge the situation from their expressions and behavior alone. Everyone looked deadly serious. When I tried to think for myself, only the worst possibilities came to mind, and there was no one there to deny them. Every time I heard Marie's pained voice, I felt the blood drain from my face and could only stamp my feet in frustration.
—It's fine, everything has gone smoothly so far. The doctor said it would probably be an easy delivery. It's fine, it's fine...
That was all I could manage as I tried to reassure myself.
Childbirth—it was something we men could never truly understand, a divine miracle. And also a trial sent by the devil.
Ever since I learned Marie was pregnant, I had belatedly gone around researching pregnancy and childbirth. And I had gone pale.
They said it was excruciating pain surpassing every pain that exists in this world. The mortality rate for either mother or child was by no means low, either. The more I researched, the more the blood drained from my face, until Marie finally took the books away from me.
"I'm the one giving birth, so Lord Cyrus, please keep calm and stay steady. It'll be fine. I'll give birth to a fine, healthy child."
Marie said that with a resolute expression, but...
I stared out the window and looked up at the stars shining in the night sky, pressing my fingers together.
"God, please protect Marie and the child."
Normally, I could hardly be called a devout believer. If anything, like many Dilz people, I was irreligious, and only prayed ritually a few times a year.
But now, from the bottom of my soul, I prayed to God for the safety of my wife and child. If there were some way to bribe Him, I'd gladly pour in my entire fortune. Please, Marie, be safe.
My clasped fingers slipped with the sweat that had broken out from my nerves.
How much time had passed—so much that it felt like I'd been left waiting for days—when suddenly...
An unfamiliar cry came from inside the room.
A baby's first cry. In that instant, overwhelming relief and joy flooded my heart. I rushed to the door without thinking and pounded on it hard. It must have been a nuisance, because a midwife opened the door with an exasperated, wry smile.
"Please come in, father."
Once I was invited in, I hesitated.
I took one trembling step at a time and slowly entered the room.
There were two members of my family there. Marie, lying on her back under the sheets, and a tiny baby being held by a midwife. Marie looked exhausted, but satisfied. Her face, flushed with sweat, turned toward me as she smiled and whispered,
"It's a girl."
The midwife handed the baby to me. I took her into my arms, terrified.
Cute... that was not yet my first thought. More than that, I was stunned by how tiny she was.
Small. Light. Soft. Warm. A living thing so delicate that I couldn't even hold her tightly, wriggling in my hands. She was certainly alive. Alive...
I murmured,
"Marie. Marie... thank you for being alive."
"Oh my. Not 'thank you for giving birth to such a healthy child,' but that instead?"
Marie said that and laughed. Of course that was there too, but before anything else, my gratitude for Marie's safety was overflowing and I could not contain it. Who was I thankful to? Marie, or her parents who had given birth to her, or God? I didn't know, but I was desperate to say thank you.
Since I had no other words, Marie held out what was in her arms.
"Tell that to our daughter too. She worked very hard as well."
"Ah... yes, that's right."
I gently took the baby's tiny hand and felt its warmth. Pressing my forehead against that small hand, I gave my newborn child my first words.
"Thank you for coming into this world. I love you."