All She Wanted

The nurse walked across the hall with caution. She saw the man pacing around in frustration and smiled at his worry.
"Congratulations sir." She said, catching him off guard. "You are now a father of a beautiful girl."
She handed him the tiny little frame wrapped in a white thick blanket. Words could not express the joy the man felt in just holding his daughter in his arms. Just then, she opened her eyes; showing a pair of huge hazel eyes.

The little four year old girl raced across the airport. She was excited because she'd never been out of the country before but more importantly she was going to meet her daddy for the first time. She never saw him before because when she was just a little baby his work had made him leave her. She searched the crowd when her mother finally pointed out to a man in a black suit standing quietly, smiling. She ran towards him.

The nine year old girl walked into the bookstore with a guard beside her. Fitted in a custom made white dress and a purse in her hands filled with money. She saw the other children choosing all the items they needed and their parents suggesting on which was better. She stood on the doorway, glancing envious looks at all the children present. Then she looked at the guard her parents insisted on being by her side at all times, put her hand in his and walked towards the pink bag on the rack that caught her attention.

"But you promised you'd come to my birthday. Daddy, it's my 17th birthday.
You've never attended any of my birthdays before and you promised."
"I'm sorry hon, but I have a lot of work to do and the drive is for 3 hours. I can't make it but I did send more money in your account. Spend it on whatever you like. Okay, I have go now, I love you, bye."

The 24 year old girl looked stunning in her white bridal dress, diamonds and green emeralds around her throat but the most important day of her life didn't bring her much joy.
"Is he here yet?"
"Not yet, he said he's close."
One hour later, when she was already on stage did she finally watch him enter the grand hall. She exhaled a sign of relief but was still disappointed that not even on her wedding could her father arrive on time.

"You know, she has your eyes." Her husband said as he sat beside her on the sofa grinning at their one week old daughter but he was distracted when he saw the worry on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Will you promise me something?"
"What?"
"That you'll always be there for her. You'll attend her every birthday, every school event, anything that is important to her. Promise me that you'll always come home when she calls you."
"I promise, my love." He whispered as he gathered his crying wife in his arms. "I promise."