No Greater Joy
Normally, McGarrett hated hospitals. He associated them with pain, injury and death. Today would change all of that.
He hadn't left her side since he'd gotten the call. The island hospitals were no different from the mainland ones in the sense that they were still reluctant to let him stay in the birthing room. Julie had read several months ago that some hospitals were now allowing the men to stay and wanted him to be with her. So he had stood his ground and refused to leave with all the stubbornness of that the Irish cop possessed. He won in the end.
He held Julie's hand during the contractions and comforted her when she cried. 18 hours later, it was worth the nearly broken hand when the nurse placed the squirming bundle that was his child into his arms. His chest constricted and his heart seemed to melt at the sight of the tiny infant.
Steve couldn't believe how tiny, how perfect this baby was. He cradled the infant to his chest as he sat down on the bed next to Julie. He slipped an arm around her as she leaned against him. She was exhausted, with good reason.
Julie caressed the baby's soft skin. She looked up at her husband. "We have a baby Steve!"
"She's just as beautiful as her mother." he kissed her.
And she was beautiful. The little girl had dark hair, like Steve, that curled slightly. She squeaked and opened her eyes, making her parents gasp. Her eyes were the same intense, crystalline blue as Julie's.
Julie took the baby into her arms, still afraid she might break it. "She's got the Williams' eyes."
"Is that a trait of your family's?" Steve asked her.
"Yes. My father and Danny's father were twins." Julie explained. She looked back to her child, kissing her forehead. "Hey little one."
Steve's smile was impossibly big as his little girl wrapped her tiny hand around his finger.
Steve kissed her temple. "Ready to make the phone call?"
Julie nodded. They needed to tell the family. "They'll be knocking down the door if we don't."
He reached over and grabbed the phone, dialing the familiar number. He angled the phone so they both could hear. "Hey Jenny,"
"Steve!" she exclaimed. "Hold on."
He could hear her calling the others to her desk. Danny's voice came over the phone. "Go ahead Steve."
"We have a baby girl." Both grinned as they heard cheering on the other end of the phone when the message was relayed.
"What's her name?" Jenny asked.
"Alona." Julie answered. "Alona Leilani McGarrett,"
"Congratulations you guys." Danno spoke for all.
"You need to bring her to the office!" Jenny broke in. "We want to see her."
"We will soon." Steve promised.
A week later Julie and the baby were allowed to leave the hospital. Once down in the car, Steve said. "You mind a side trip?"
Julie smiled knowingly. "I'd love it."
They made the trip to the palace slower than normal. Every patrol car that passed them honked and waved. Some even called congratulations through open car windows or over the radio. Julie smile at the attention.
Before long they arrived at the Palace. She noticed that Steve drove more carefully than normal and that made her smile.
Jenny looked up as they entered the office. An excited smile came over her face when she saw them. "Steve and Julie are here with the baby!" She announced before they were fully in the office.
In an instant they were surrounded, all wanting to see the baby. Right now they were the happiest group of people on the island.
I hope every one enjoyed this little story. I always thought McGarrett deserved a family and would be good with kids. Thanks for your reviews and taking the time to read it.