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Part of him knew she was right, but…he still felt guilty.
“Besides, I’m sure Mia is already asleep. For all you know, Austin might want a few minutes out of the room to just sort of let the fact that he’s a father sink in. Obviously, he knew this day was coming, but maybe the reality of it all was a bit much and he needs a few minutes alone. You know, a little peace with no doctors or nurses around, no wife, no…” she paused and her eyes went a little wide, and when Jackson followed the direction of her gaze, he was pretty sure his own eyes were bugging out.
Austin was walking down the hall with two nurses and Everly in his arms.
“Holy…crap…”
“Is he allowed to do that?” Savannah whispered.
When they were close, Jackson couldn’t help but chuckle. “Dude, what the hell are you doing?”
“Shh…we literally have five minutes. Is Cash awake?”
“What? I don’t know! I never went in. I texted you first!”
“Dammit, Jackson,” Austin snapped, and then instantly lowered his voice. “We’re breaking a lot of rules here, so…go in and wake him up.”
“Me? Why me?”
“Are you two idiots really going to waste time out here arguing?” Savannah asked with a huff before turning and walking into Cash’s room. Jackson was hot on her heels and was relieved to find his father awake.
“Hey,” Cash said quietly. “What’s everyone doing here so early?” Then he looked around. “It is early, isn’t it?”
Kissing him on the cheek, Savannah nodded. “It is very early, but there’s someone here to see you and it has to be now.”
Cash looked confused and then looked at Jackson. “Someone’s here now?”
“Yup. Hang on. I’ll go get them.”
“Them? I thought it was one person,” Cash said as he sat up a little more in the bed.
“Just…hang on,” he told him before walking to the door and motioning for Austin to come in.
“Hey, Grandpa,” Austin said softly as he walked into the room, and Jackson swore Cash looked ready to cry.
“Oh my goodness,” he whispered in total awe. “I…I don’t even know what to say. How’s Mia?”
Smiling, Austin stood beside the bed to give their father a full view of the baby. “She’s tired, but good. She was amazing, Dad. Like…I can’t even believe how strong she was.”
Cash sniffled and seemed unsure of what to do. “So everything went okay? She’s healthy?”
“She’s perfect,” Austin assured him.
“What’s her name?”
“Her name is Everly Cassandra Coleman.”
“It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“Would you like to hold your granddaughter? I need to get her back upstairs and I have two nurses outside the door waiting.”
“Are you sure it’s okay? I won’t hurt her, will I?”
“You’re fine, Dad. Trust me.”
And then Cash straightened—with a little help from Savannah—and took his first grandchild into his arms. “Oh…I waited fifty-eight years to meet you, sweet Everly,” his voice caught and he was trying to hold on to his composure. “I know you’re going to do great things in this life and just know that Grandpa’s going to be looking down and watching over you.” Kissing her little downy head, he inhaled deeply before handing her back to Austin.
“Okay, I’ve got to get her back downstairs, but I’ll be back up to visit with you later, okay?”
