Papa's First Whisper

Um... okay. So... here I am.

I feel a little shy. Mumma is smiling at me. She says, "Just talk. Say anything."

Okay. Let me try again.

Last night, I practised in front of the mirror. I said, "Hello, baby. Papa here." The mirror did not say anything back. Mumma laughed from the other room.

Okay. Let me try again.

I want to say big things. Beautiful things. But my words feel shy too. They hide, like a cat under the bed.

So I will say small things. True things.

The fan is going round and round. Whirr, whirr. Mumma's hand is warm on mine. Outside, soft rain is tapping on the window. Tip, tap, tip.

And you are here. So very tiny. But you already have a whole Papa.

Okay. Let me try one more time.

Hello, little one. I am your Papa. I do not know much yet. I do not know how to fold tiny clothes. I do not know any lullabies. But I am learning. Every day, I am learning.

One thing I know already. I love you. So very much.

I will practise my lullabies. I will practise my funny faces. And tomorrow, I will come back and say hello again.

There. I said it. My words came out after all.

Mumma is smiling. And so am I.