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The room was a flurry of activity while he cut the cord and the nurses cleaned, weighed, and measured the baby. Aidan had never seen someone so perfect, with her ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes. When the nurse laid his daughter, swaddled and staring, in his arms, he marveled at how he could love someone so completely he’d only just met.
“She’s got your nose,” he said when they were alone, heart squeezing in his chest when his words drew his daughter’s gaze.
“And your eyes,” Viv added, watching them with a dreamy smile. “I hope she keeps them.”
“I think the Callahan blue eyes are our strongest trait.”
“Really? I thought that was stubbornness.”
With a laugh, he leaned down and kissed her before carefully settling the baby back in her arms. Leaning his hip on the edge of the bed, he reached up to cup the back of her neck, rubbing his thumb over that spot behind her ear while Viv counted the baby’s fingers and toes for the millionth time.
“I don’t want her to be pushed aside for boys,” she murmured. “I want her to know she has as much of a place in the syndicate as any of her brothers or cousins. And not only for making the next generation.”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Evie is already advocating with Declan that the girl she’s carrying be the heir. And he’s halfway to agreeing with her. We’ll help them build something new. Something stronger.”
“Good. If anyone can do it, Evie can. Why should the boys get to have all the fun, right, baby girl?” Viv cooed.
Aidan glanced up at a knock on the door to see Evie poke her head in.
“Feeling up to a visit? The nurses said it was okay to come back.”
“Absolutely,” Viv said, smiling as Declan filed in behind Evie, followed by Brogan, Libby, and Cait.
“You look beautiful,” Evie said, leaning down to press a kiss to Viv’s cheek, supporting her heavy belly as she stood. “Tell me it's not as bad as it sounds. I remain unconvinced by Cait’s effortless deliveries.”
“It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. Still hurt like a bitch, though,” Viv admitted. "Don’t be a hero. Go for the epidural.”
“Noted,” Evie said, rubbing her hands over her stomach. “This little angel seems worth it.”
Evie glanced up at Aidan when Viv laid the baby in her arms, returning the smile he gave her. They had a long way to go, but they’d get there. He suspected his niece growing steadily inside her would do a lot to close the gap between them. Evie ran her finger over the baby’s cheek.
“So soft,” she murmured, nuzzling her nose into the baby’s hair.
“Have you picked out a name yet?” Cait wondered.
“No, we’re still arguing over the right one.”
“Actually. I’d like to name her Siobhan.” Viv glanced up at Aidan. “After your mom. Unless you guys were thinking of that for your girl,” Viv added with a look to Evie and Declan.
Evie had tears in her eyes, but Declan shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “I think it's exactly right.”
“Okay,” Libby said, holding her hands out. “My turn.”
“Excuse me,” Viv said, finger darting out to point at the ring glittering on Libby’s left hand. “What is that?”
“Oh. Ah. I didn’t want to…we’re not…we don’t want to steal your thunder,” Libby finally finished.
“Elizabeth Giordano,” Viv said. “Did you finally say yes?”
Libby blushed, and Brogan laughed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pressing a kiss to the side of his fiancé’s neck. “She did. Finally.”
“Do yourself a favor and don’t plan a wedding in anything less than six months.”
“A year is better,” Evie agreed, handing Siobhan to Libby.
Once Aidan’s family filed out, Viv’s family filed in, passing the baby from hand to hand. Things were still strained there; forgiveness took time, but it had gotten better. The baby helped, with all the women cooing over her and all the men slapping Aidan on the back as if he’d done something.
When visiting hours were finally over, and the room was silent again, he stretched out next to Viv on the bed, the baby swaddled and fed and sleeping soundly. He had everything he wanted right here in this room, and life had never been more perfect.
