Jamal was walking through the thick snow, a cold February day and miserable, his feet melting the snow away for him to walk easier. The Defense Core was an easy job, and he was one of the highest-ranked in the Refugee Division, despite being there for a few months. But today, he was carrying some firewood to Mr. Rentz, a friendly elderly gentleman who lived outside the town of Termia, where he lived.
As he continued his trek, he remembered the cabin, he hadn't seen it in several days, last time he was there, Ula was heading to the hospital for their child, expecting for it to come any day now. Hopefully, everything was well, but he didn't want to not be there and miss out.
Approaching the small cabin of Mr. Rentz, he scratched his beard in worry. He really needed to clean himself, as it was starting to cover his face heavily. But he finally reached the steps and knocked on the door. He could hear a shuffle inside, and the door opened with Mr. Rentz smiling.
"Ah Jamal, thanks again." he said, taking the firewood out from his hands.
"No problem sir, not a big deal."
"How's the child?"
"Hasn't arrived yet, any day now."
"You know when I was your age, I was in a similar experienc-"
"Heh, you've told me that many times."
"Ah, you kids have too much time on your hands."
He was about to say he would be nineteen in a few months when he heard a panting sound behind him. Looking behind, he could see Heskins, another guy in his division who was also high-ranked rush up to him.
"Jamal, it's urgent." he began to pant.
"Calm down, you didn't run all the way here did you?"
"That's not important, but I got news that your child is coming."
Jamal froze. Couldn't be now, right?
"Now?"
"Yes, you need to hurry!" Heskins rushed him.
"Well, Mr. Rentz I got to go then. Take care!" he waved away.
"Congrats Jamal!" Mr. Rentz replied, before heading back indoors.
Jamal began to hurry, but it wasn't fast enough, as Heskin quickly passed him through the snow. Forget this. Jamal quickly took off the cloak he was wearing and tied it to his waist. Then concentrating, he felt his feet beginning to heat up as steam began to surround him. He could feel his fire slowly push him off the ground, as he quickly began to accelerate. The air dragged behind him, as the cool winds kept his mind focused. The wintery environment blended below him, littered with lush evergreens and pockets of small ponds and streams of water. As peaceful as it was, Jamal had little concern for the lands beneath him.
Moving quickly, he rushed towards the town, where he could see himself surpassing Heskins below. Minutes later, he reached the edge as he looked for the hospital until he found the small one-story building. Placing his feet down, he landed just a few feet from the door, as he slid inside.
There was no one in the lobby, except the receptionist, who just pointed in the back when she saw who it was. Jamal passed her, and moved down the hallway, until he heard the sound of crying, and moved towards its direction. Seeing an open door, he peeked inside to see Ula surrounded by several doctors, holding a baby.
"I made it." he panted inside, with everyone looking.
"Who are you?" one of the doctors asked, until Ula told him who it was.
"You must be the father then, correct?"
He nodded as he moved up to Ula, who was holding the child in a blanket. He couldn't believe that he was already a father this early. Of course, he had a choice, but he only looked at Ula and back at the child.
"We'll be back in a bit to make sure everything is good, but we'll give you both a minute." another doctor said, before they all filed out.
Once they left and closed the door, they both looked at each other.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" he asked her.
"A boy."
"Mmm, can I?" he directed to hold the child.
She put it in his hands, as he stared into its face. It almost looked like him in a way, as it giggled when it saw him.
"We haven't come up with a name yet," Ula told him. "I know we had several back home, but we never truly stuck with anything. I want it to be original and unique for our boy."
He looked back at the baby, who stared at him, and thought for a second. A name huh?
"You know, with everything that's happened I've thought about a name like Laken. It just sounds nice." he stared outside for a brief moment, his mind temporarily on those serene bodies of water he flew over.
"I like it."
"Really?"
Ula just nodded and he just grinned. Laken, my child. Jamal stared at the boy who was now silent and asleep, before kissing Ula. What a start for what was to come.