CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE – FIRST TIME PARENTING

Two weeks had flown by in a whirlwind of diaper changes, gurgle-filled conversations with Becky, and late-night feedings. Karina, surprisingly, had adapted to motherhood with a natural grace that left John in awe. She seemed to have an intuitive understanding of Becky's needs, her every touch soothing, her every coo a lullaby. John, on the other hand, was fumbling through his new role as a father. One morning, Karina awoke to the high-pitched wail of their daughter, a sound that instantly jolted her awake. "John?" she called out, her voice thick with sleep. "It's Becky." John shuffled in, his eyes bleary and hair sticking out in a comical disarray. "Morning, sunshine," he mumbled, attempting a smile. "What seems to be the problem?" Becky's cries intensified, punctuated by sharp hiccups. John picked her up awkwardly, cradling her like a football. "She's probably hungry," Karina observed, pushing herself out of bed and grabbing a fresh diaper and wipes. John bounced Becky up and