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Fel watches her husband bond with their daughter.

Fel smiled into her coffee as she watched her husband lead their one year daughter out into the yard. Thumb in mouth, the little girl held tightly to her father’s shirt with one hand, which the other clutched a stuffed fox. Tones of blues and greys were slowly giving way to soft rosy reds, and a slight breeze blew by as the pair stood in the yard, watching the sunrise. Pulling on a fleece coat, Fel crept closer onto the porch swing, not wanting to disturb the father-daughter ritual, but wanting to listen all the same.

“Mia, do you see the sun? It’s saying good morning to you.”

Even from a distance, Brynn’s low tone carried to where she was, and Fel couldn’t hide her grin. Not one for open displays of affection, Brynn rarely let the world see how much he loved her, and that was fine with Fel, but when Mia came along, it was like a dam had broken inside of him. Words of encouragement, tummy kisses, and morning cuddles had become abundant ever since he had gotten the little girl in his arms.

“Do you think Finnigan Fox likes the sun too?”

Mia hugged the fox closer to her with a grumble of delight, popping one of its bright red ears into her mouth.

“I’ll take that as yes. Now, let’s get back to mommy.”

Lifting the girl higher onto his shoulder, Brynn slowly made his way back towards her, talking all the while.

“You know why we do this every morning, Mia?”

When he got only a soft coo and a headbutt into the side of his neck, Brynn continued.

“It’s because my father and I used to come out every morning and watch the sunrise, no matter how you feel, the sun is always shining, baby.”

Placing the girl back into Fel’s arms, Brynn caressed her jawline before kissing her nose.

“She’s asleep again,” Fel whispered, nuzzling his nose.

Brynn nodded and kissed her on the mouth before settling in the swing next to her. Leaning her head back into his chest, Fel cradled Mia closer. Feeling Brynn’s breathing begin to slow, Fel stole a peek to find her husband dozing with his head laid back against the swing. Smiling once again, Fel too closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the world waking up.