Everything is alright.

I will always be grateful to my parents for providing me with an adequate education. I realize only now, after having my dear Daniel come into this world, just how difficult it must have been to get up every day and do the same old routine just to have a decent life.

Nowadays, it’s rare to hear the alarm bell disturb Daniel’s sleep. I don’t even know why I still have it set up, but I guess old habits die hard. I get up slowly from my bed, put the blanket back on Daniel, and kiss him on the forehead.

I don’t know why I feel ashamed for doing this. My mother would do this, but I don’t recall my father ever doing it. Things are different now, and I can’t raise Daniel the same way they did, but I will certainly do my best.

Anyway, I finish doing that before going off to the kitchen to prepare his milk. There are only two bottles left. It should be enough for today. I’ll improvise when it runs out.

I wait for the microwave to finish beeping before getting the bottle to Daniel. He should be awake around this time. He used to wake up the moment I got up, no matter how careful I was, but I suppose he’s starting to become a heavy sleeper just like I was back then.

I cradle him in my arms and position the bottle in such a way that it may be easier for him to drink. I take it away from his lips every once in a while and pat him on the back. I don’t know why I do this, but I’ve seen my wife do it, and since she just so happens to always know everything, there should be a good reason for it, right?

After his breakfast, I let him rest a bit before preparing him for some exercises. I never used to worry about this before. There was simply no end to him. He would crawl everywhere on all fours and play with whatever toy, cardboard, or toe nail he would find on the floor. And I can’t ever fathom what goes on inside that little brain of his to insert everything he lays his hands on inside his mouth! I can’t even recall being this attentive when cleaning before.

Recently, for whatever reason, he stopped. As a matter of fact, I know the reason. It’s all thanks to his all-knowing and omnipotent mother, who wanted to buy one of those "infant swaddles," which are no different than those leather strait jackets they use on crazy people, all because Daniel is too much to deal with. Why can’t she just let the child be free?

Anyway, I grab his favorite toy bunny and leave it next to him. That usually keeps him preoccupied for a few hours. It’s currently eight o’clock in the morning. I’m sure that I’ll be done with my work right when he starts losing interest in it. Oh dear, silly me. I forgot about changing his diapers. He is a strange one. Instead of crying like every other child right when the deed is done, he’d only start crying after several hours have passed.

Still, I can’t get mad at this guy. He is my one and only sunshine. No matter how bright a star may be, it could never replace the warming sense of pride I feel whenever I think about him. I can already imagine him growing up, starting a life of his own, and most of all, being happy. It is as such that I vow to always be here for him. I will always be here to care for and protect him, no matter what happens.

However, I do still wish for him to have a mother. And I don’t simply mean the type of mother that he only gets to see once every two weeks. I am talking about a mother who is present.

Growing up, I would always spend most of the time with my mother. She would teach me what I could and couldn’t do. She would lecture me about proper etiquette and the correct ways to put on my clothes. To put it mildly, she was the strict one. My father, on the other hand, was the total opposite. I would feel much more comfortable around him. My father was my closest and "bestest" friend. We would go out to play, and I would totally disregard most of the rules my mother taught me. Well, not every one of them, but I think I have made myself clear.

At the end of the day, no matter how much more comfortable I was around my dad, I could never form a relationship as intimate as the one I had with my mother. It may seem like a strange notion, but it is the type that is good and necessary for the growth of a child. Such is the importance of a perfect balance.

I can’t ever forgive her for this. It is all her fault, but that’s alright; everything is alright now. Daniel should be in his crib playing with Rogers. The house is clean. Everything is in its place. Everything is alright. I can’t allow my thoughts about that woman to ruin my mood. I would only play into her hands.

Casandra, that vile woman! How could I ever imagine a woman like her to exist in this world, let alone marry one? She was once my beloved. It’s partially my fault. I couldn’t see through her. Now, she is trying to separate me from Daniel and tear whatever remains of this family apart.

It’s already eight in the evening. I didn’t manage to finish my project, but I can’t continue on. I’m tired. I make dinner and have it in my bedroom with Daniel. I feel reluctant to feed him the last bottle, as doing so would mean having to contact her.

Speak of the devil; she calls me immediately after I finish my dinner. I ignore her. She calls me again. I ignored her again. After the third call, I shut the power off. She will never see him again. I won’t allow it. She can’t see him. It’s because of her that he is like this.

But everything is alright now. I fed Daniel the last bottle. I think I will go and buy some baby formula tomorrow. I lie down next to Daniel and cuddle him. Yes, everything is alright. You will grow up and see the endless beauty that this world has to offer. You will make wonderful changes, and you will live a meaningful life. Until then, I will protect you from everyone else. No matter what becomes of you, I am here, but what I would give to see your eyes open again.