Epilogue

Steve peered into the room with a hesitant sense of eagerness, like a little boy taking his first peek at the tree on Christmas morning. Jaime was sitting up in bed, surrounded by half a dozen pillows and cradling a tiny bundle in her arms. Doctor Hammond shook Steve's hand, smiled at Jaime and left the trio alone.

"Hi, Daddy," Jaime said softly. She was clearly exhausted but her expression was radiant. "Look what we did."

Steve sank into the bedside chair slowly, his eyes never leaving the face of his newborn son. Jaime placed the baby in his arms and he was awestruck, just as he'd been when he'd held Jenna for the first time.

"He looks just like you," Jaime told him.

"He looks like us," Steve noted. The shock of thick, dark hair matched his own, but the baby's face was a perfect blend of the best of both of them. "And a little like Winston Churchill."

"Steve!"

He shrugged. "All babies look like Winston Churchill."

"Not our Steve Junior."

"No, Jaime – please?" Steve looked up at his wife. "We've already talked about that. Besides..." he caressed his new son's face with one gentle finger, "he doesn't look like a Steve." He handed the baby back to Jaime and tucked the blankets around both of them. "You should probably rest now; we can decide later." His lips lingered across hers in a tender kiss, interrupted by a quiet knock on the open door.

"Someone wants to meet her new brother," Oscar proclaimed, holding Jenna by the hand. He took his own quick peek at the baby and smiled broadly. "He's gorgeous – congratulations, to all of you." Oscar quickly made himself scarce to allow this new family its first chance to bond.

"Hey, Bug," Steve said, drawing his daughter into his lap, "you're a big sister now." He kissed the top of her head. "Congratulations."

"Baby...?" Jenna whispered, wide-eyed. Jaime drew the blanket back so Jenna could get a better look, and the little girl reached over and placed her hand on her mother's belly. "Tummy?"

"Baby," Steve repeated. He took her hand and guided it toward the baby, showing her how to extend one finger toward the tiny fist. Jenna squealed as the baby's fingers tightened around her own. She dissolved into giggles as she leaned in closer. "Tummy...baby..." she babbled, only partially getting it but thrilled all the same. "A tummy baby," Jenna crooned, "a-tum -"

Jaime sat up a little straighter. "Steve, that's it!"

"Huh?"

"Jenna just gave us the perfect name!"

Steve frowned. "We will not be naming our son Tummy."

"No – Adam! Look at him; it's perfect! Adam Steven Austin!"

"A-tum!" Jenna parroted.

"It does sort of suit him," Steve agreed. "Well, Mr. Adam Steven Austin," he said in a ceremonious voice as he embraced his entire family in a huge, loving bear hug, "here are your father's first words of wisdom for you. Life is always much smoother when the women get their way!"

END