That moment was special to me. The sounds of the hospital room faded as I held our daughter for the very first time. Hanji was resting after hours of labor, and I was enjoying the company of Raven. It took a while to determine the name, but the second our eyes laid on her, it was decided: Raven. Raven Kuchel Ackerman. Kuchel was my mother, and we decided to honor her by naming our daughter after my mom. Raven... that name, for some reason, stuck around.

Nurses informed me that I was only able to cradle our daughter in the hospital room. I was disappointed when I realized I couldn't show our daughter the outside world for the first time. But why rush it? We had many years ahead of us. 

Raven's dark black hair and silver-like eyes... she was a replica of me. If Hanji ever dived into my old possessions, Raven and I would be no different. I heard Raven's soft coos and cries. The way I felt her squirming in my arms and smiling at me. When I called her name, that soft smile and sparkling eyes filled me with joy. Those traits were Hanji's. When Raven was hungry, I gave her back to Hanji and watched my beautiful wife enjoying the new life she just brought into the world. Those little squirms and cooing noises... that smile... oh, I missed my daughter. I know Raven is a baby now, and I have years with her. But that sort of fear lingers.

Raven's an infant now, but the years will pass. Soon, I will watch her taking her first steps, eating her first solid food, and attending the first day of school. And I'll see more. Maybe another kid for her. A sister, a brother, it might happen. Soon, I'll be protective of her when she gets her first boyfriend or girlfriend. I'll ensure she and her siblings will be protected. But I do know that sometimes, it's okay to have a heart broken. But this is what I'll promise her as I hold her in my arms now:

"When you take your first steps, I'll be there, waiting for you to walk into my arms. When you go to school for the first time, I'll hold your hand and be your shoulder to cry on when you come home. If you have a brother or a sister, I'll be there to comfort you when you feel overwhelmed. When you get your first boyfriend or girlfriend, I'll support you, but I will stand firm with my ideals. If your heart gets broken by your lover, I'll hurt them and hold you. I will help wipe your tears and tell you that you're one of my pride and joys in my life. When you want to walk down the aisle, I want to be that father to do so. I want to cry when you start a life of your own. I want to be there for you. When I die, I will be there with your mother, watching over you and your family. The same with your siblings."

"I love you, my little bird," I whispered, kissing my daughter's forehead. I turned back to Hanji, seeing her slumbering peacefully. "Your mommy and daddy will always love you. That's a promise. Even if cruel words are exchanged, we will always love you."