Page 120 of Rebellious

“Your wife is excited,” I note.

He nods. “Yeah.” He confirms, meeting my gaze. “We had a baby, Von Bremen.”

This fucker. I shake my head, a traitorous smile tugging at my lips. “Fuck yeah, we did. Come on.”

We close the space between us and Breck with a few long strides. “Here,” Breck says, holding up a bottle of hand sanitizer. Cade and I both put our hands out, used to this from when our own kids were born. When the waterless gel is dry, Breck flashes us a look of pure joy before she pushes open the door, revealing my wife with tears in her eyes. “Teddy,” she sobs. I pull her to my chest, holding her tight until she quiets.

“Have you been sobbing this whole time?” I ask, when the sniffling subsides.

Anniston pulls back and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. “Not the entire time.”

I cut her a look. She can’t fool me. I know she’s been a wreck. “We got here as fast as we could,” I apologize. “Cade drove like a grandpa.” I wink.

We were at the lake, an hour away, for our annual fishing trip when Anniston called, relaying that Aspen was in labor, three weeks early. It was the longest hour of my life.

“Your daughter’s been waiting for you,” is what she answers with.

I feel the back of my eyes stinging. It’s been years since my daughter has needed me. Which, I suppose, is good for Bennett’s health, but still. It’s nice to know she asked for me.

Pushing through a hanging curtain, I get my first look at my little girl under a mound of blankets in a hospital bed. Her face is void of any makeup, her hair braided down her shoulder. She looks exhausted and gorgeous.

I rush to her side, ignoring Bennett on the other side of the bed. “Hey, princess.” I sigh. Taking her hand, I kiss the top.

“Hi, Daddy. Would you like to meet your granddaughter?”

I nod and Bennett stands, walking around the bed with a tiny bundle tucked into his arms. His steps lack the grace of an NFL quarterback. Instead, he seems awkward and tense—exactly how I was when Anniston had Aspen.

“It’s a girl,” I muse as Cade comes over, kissing Aspen on the forehead, and sitting next to me.

He looks at Bennett, who hangs onto his daughter, not allowing us to see her. “Congratulations, son,” he says.

Bennett swallows, looking at us and then to the little girl in his arms. “I’m scared, sir.”

I laugh. “You should be.” I look at the little girl who already holds a piece of my heart. “No time with her will ever be enough.”

Aspen reaches out and places her hand over mine.

“What if I can’t protect them both?” Bennett worries.

I glance sideways at my daughter. This question is simple. “She’s a Von Bremen,” I state proudly. “More than likely, she’ll protect herself. But just in case, I know two old men and a waiting room full of Marines that will be happy to help.”

I knock into Cade’s shoulder. “We’ll call it a tie,” I tell him.

He nods and I look up at Bennett. “Now, give us the baby.”

Bennett glances at Aspen, his eyes wide.

This is a fear I know, kid. This fear will make you a wonderful father.

“Hand her to them,” Aspen encourages, sitting up.

Slowly, Bennett takes the remaining steps and lowers the little girl, swaddled in pink blankets, into my arms.

Supporting her neck, I hold her up between me and Cade. His fingers trace along her face. “She’s beautiful,” he mumbles.

“Agreed.” I nod.

Aspen smiles. “Her name is Isla.”

I swallow, staring at the amazing creation in my hands. “Hi, Isla. Welcome to the family.”