Page 90 of Blackout: Book Two

“Can I see her?”

Bas lifts Danny into his arms and I watch my brother grin from ear to ear as he stares at his niece.

“Hi, Jacqueline, I’m your Uncle Danny. I’m shorter than the rest of these guys but like them, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“My boy put it there,” Blackie says, cradling Jacqueline with one arm as he stretches out the other and knocks his fist against Danny’s.

“I got your bag out of the car,” my dad says, holding up the duffel bag we forgot about the second we arrived in the hospital.

“Oh good, give me that,” I tell him, sitting up to make room on the bed for the bag. He lays it next to me and I draw open the zipper, pulling out big headbands, baby hats, frilly onesies, and one too many tutus.

“Jesus Christ, what is all that shit?” Deuce asks, lifting a headband. “Is this a baby thong?”

“It’s a headband you jackass,” Cobra replies, smacking him upside the head. “You’ve got two nieces and you don’t know what that is?”

Finding the pink plush stuffed animal, I pluck it from the bag. I hated this thing because it served as a reminder that my husband wouldn’t be present for the most important day of our life, but it was also the first thing I packed for the hospital.

I glance at the little tag that reads Team Girl and smile. I didn’t have the pregnancy most woman dream about, but in the end, I got the most precious little girl and that’s a dream come true in itself. I turn to Blackie and watch as he stares at the teddy bear in my hands. Tears prick his eyes, but they don’t fall.

There is no reason for us to be sad anymore.

No reason for tears.

From this day forward, only happiness for us and our little family.

“You can give it to her yourself,” I whisper, holding it out for him to take. Lifting his eyes to me, he takes the stuffed animal and I watch as my sweet girl receives her first gift from the first man she’ll ever love.

A pink teddy bear from her daddy.

But the greatest gift is having him here to give it to her.

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