Justice Falling (Falling #3)(76)

“Hold your daughter,” Aspen whispered, emotion thick in her tone.

He cradled the small bundle into his arms. “Daddy’s perfect girl. I love you, Hannah.” Hank kissed his daughter’s little tufts of golden hair just on the crown of her head.

I watched in awe as the huge man rocked and bonded with his daughter. I snapped a picture with the camera they’d laid on the side table. I didn’t have any pictures of Tanner this early because it was just Jin and me in the delivery room. I wanted to make sure they had some for their own memories.

“Oliver, buddy. Come meet your niece. Hannah Olivia Jensen.” Oliver looked at Aspen and she smiled. A tear slipped down his cheek. She wiped it away.

“You named her after me?”

“We love you and all your pieces. It’s our gift to you.” she told Oliver.

Oliver choked on a sob then hugged Aspen, kissing her cheeks then her forehead and briefly her lips. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say?”

“Say you’ll love her for eternity and always be there for her, like you are with me,” Aspen whispered. The room was so quiet we could all hear them.

“Until my last breath.” he promised, leaning his forehead against Aspen’s. Their bond was forged in steel and deep affection for one another. Very much like a brother and sister.

“Now let me see our baby girl all cleaned up and perfect!” He sashayed to Hank, wiping at his eyes.

“You want to hold her?” Hank offered.

Oliver looked stricken. “No I don’t want to hold her! I will do that when I’m seated on a very cushy spot, preferably a bed, with pillows all around so that she is the most safe--” Hank held his arms out and led Oliver to the chair.

“Hold your niece and shut up already,” Hank said sternly but with a huge smile.

“Such a brute,” Oliver said then cooed to the bundle in his arms.

I walked to Aspen as they finished up with the placenta and stitching. London was hugging her and gushing on how perfect the baby’s aura was.

London’s eyes caught mine. “You helped Pen so much. You really know your stuff,” she said.

I shrugged. “I’ve done it before. That helps.”

Aspen held out her hand and grasped mine. “Thank you. for everything,” she said weakly, thoroughly exhausted.

I hugged her palm to my cheek. “I loved every second. Thank you for sharing this moment with me. I’ll remember it always.”

London stayed with Aspen as Hank, Oliver and I returned to the waiting room. Hank held his daughter close to his chest. The room was filled with waiting family and friends. I could see my guy in the corner, his smile wide as he noticed me. Hank’s brood of Texans were all there smiling and waiting patiently. All, save for what I assumed was Julia Jensen, who jumped up the second Hank entered, arms out wide.

“You just set that perfect bundle right in my arms. I need to bond with my first granddaughter. What’s her name, son?”

“Aspen and I are excited to introduce all of our friends and family to Hannah Olivia Jensen. Six pounds, ten ounces, twenty inches long.” He kissed his daughter on the head once more and let his mother take hold.

Julia looked at her granddaughter then back up to her son. Pride and joy filled her gaze. “You and Aspen did mighty fine young man. She’s an angel from heaven. Our Hannah girl. The name fits her beautifully and keeps with the H names.” Behind Julia, Henry puffed his chest with pride at hearing his granddaughter’s name. I so wanted traditions like that with Nate. One day.

“You done well, son.” Henry Jensen clapped his son on the back and smiled. His features were a lot like Hank’s.

Manly back slaps followed by a round of congratulations were doted on Hank. I snapped a picture of Julia holding her grandchild as Hank’s father looked over her shoulder.

Finally, a couple dressed to the nines came up to Julia. “May I hold my first grandchild?” the man in a suit asked, his voice filled with emotion. The woman standing to the side looked exactly like an older, unhappy version of Aspen but looked on with wonder.

“Is the baby’s name hyphenated Jensen-Reynolds?” The upturned face of Aspen’s mother assessed Hank shrewdly. Her eyebrow was pointed into a fierce triangle as her lips twisted into a tight pout.

Hank shook his head. “Nope. She’s all Jensen, just like her Mama,” Hank puffed with pride.

Aspen’s mother rolled her eyes and sighed. “Well, she looks just like my daughter. She’s very beautiful.”

“That she is, Ma’am.”

After a few minutes of introductions, Hank took his precious bundle and announced that he had to get back to his wife. He thanked everyone for coming. He’d be in touch when they were home and settled in.

Hank stopped me as he was heading out the door. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did.” I put my fingers against the dewy hair of Hannah’s head. She snuffled towards her Dad’s chest rooting around.

“You’re welcome.” I laughed, watching the little face, mouth opening and closing against her Dad’s chest. “You better get her to her mother. She’s a hungry girl. Check in with the office when you have a chance. I’ll text you anything crucial, but I think we can hold down the fort for a while.”

Hank nodded and left. Two arms circled my waist and tugged me back into a hard wall of muscle. “Precious, are you ready to go home? You look dead on your feet.” I closed my eyes and let his words rumble through my taxed brain.