Author note:

Thanks for the response to this story idea of mine. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

CH 2-Daddy's Little Girl

Slowly waking up, Clay was aware of the antiseptic smell of the room and the constant, low whir of machines. He was at the hospital. In his line of work, hospitals meant injuries and suffering, and even death. As he fought for full consciousness his heart didn't feel heavy and overwhelmed like he did when he was waiting on news of a Brother wounded in an OP. In fact, his spirit felt the complete opposite. He felt light and elated. His tired brain was trying to put the puzzle together when a small, mewling cry pulled him to full wakefulness.

He heard it again, but louder and more instant this time. Finally, the pieces fell into place and he couldn't contain the smile that stretched across his face. Sitting up he glanced to his left and saw the small, portable bassinet that the nurses had rolled into the room. He stood up and reached into the enclosure and carefully lifted the tiny infant that lay inside.

"Shhh…Shhh you're okay. I'm here. Daddy's here." He crooned to her as he cuddled her against his shoulder. Tears gathered in his eyes as he realized the enormity of his statement. "What's wrong angel, hmmm?" He swayed back and forth trying to quiet the little girl.

He wanted to give Emma as much time to rest as possible. She had been a trooper, enduring hours of pain and exhaustion as she labored to bring their daughter into the world. Clay was sure that her strength rivaled that of any SEAL he had the honor of serving with. He glanced at her laying in the room's only bed. Her hair was still messy and a bit tangled and her skin was slightly pale. All evidence of the intense physical effort she had put forth. She may not have looked her best, but to his eye, she was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. He knew that there would never be anything he could say or do that would express to her his admiration and love for carrying and giving birth to his child.

Despite his best efforts, the baby continued to cry. She was screwing up her face and whimpering. It was heartbreakingly precious. Emma began to stir as she heard the baby's unhappy noises. She shifted in the bed to sit up. Clay noticed how slowly she moved and how she winced with the effort. He reached out to her with the hand not holding their daughter to try and help her get settled.

"You okay Em?"

"Ow. Yea, just sore."

At that point the baby let out as close to an angry wail as she could muster. Clay chuckled lovingly.

"Wow! Someone's really upset."

"Can you hand her here? I think she's hungry."

Emma unsnapped the shoulder of the hospital gown she was wearing and folded it back to free her breast. She reached for her daughter and held her close. It took a couple tries, but the baby finally latched on and began to feed. Clay was mesmerized. He had never seen anything as beautiful as Emma nursing their daughter. He reached out and brushed the hair from Emma's shoulder and bent to place a gentle kiss to the baby's head.

Emma spoke up quietly. "Could you get that pillow and put it under my arm honey?" Clay got the extra pillow and situated it to help support Emma's arm.

"Thanks babe. It's amazing how heavy she gets after a little bit."

He sat down and watched the scene before him. He could hardly believe that she was actually here with them. It seemed just yesterday that Emma had let him know that he was going to be a father. A knock on the door broke into his reverie. He stood up and opened the door just a crack in order to preserve Emma's privacy.

It was Jason. He stood there vibrating nervous energy as he asked about Emma and the baby.

"How is she, how are they? Is everyone okay?"

Clay placed a hand on his Father-in-law's shoulder. "She's fine. They both are Jace. You have a beautiful granddaughter."

"A granddaughter…" Jason's eyes filled with tears and he swiped at them with the back of his hand. The tears didn't stop. He reached for Clay and the two men embraced. "Can I see her, see them?"

"Let me go in first. Em was nursing her. Just wait here a sec, okay."

He stepped back into the room and checked with Emma. She wanted to see her dad and wanted him to meet his granddaughter. Clay found a receiving blanket in their bag and helped Emma cover up and let Jason know he could come in.

Jason stepped in silently and when he saw Emma he started to cry again.

"Hi Daddy. It's okay. I'm fine. We both are."

He leaned over and kissed her on the head. He couldn't believe his baby girl was a mother. He stood back up and collected himself.

Emma looked at Clay. "Here honey. I think she's done. Can you take her while I put myself back together?" She handed him the baby and managed to snap her gown back together.

Jason's eyes were glued to the little bundle in Clay's arms.

"Do you want to hold her Dad?"

He couldn't speak so he nodded his head. Clay passed him the infant and Jason felt like he was holding a dream. "She's beautiful Em. She looks like you did when you were born."

"I think she looks like Clay." Emma reached out for her husband's hand and squeezed it.

"Well, she's a good mix of both of you, I guess. Hey, what's her name?"

Emma looked to Clay and he nodded to her. "Her name is Quinn Alana Spenser."

Jason's eyes watered again at the mention of Emma's mother's name. "Your mom would be so proud of you Em."

Clay heard Emma suck in a breath and saw her start to cry. He leaned over and kissed her on the temple. "Babe?"

"I'm okay."

Jason spoke up again. "So, have you told Sonny about her name yet?"

"Nope, not yet. I texted him that she's here and he said he'll visit as soon as he can so he can meet her. I thought we'd tell him when he gets here."

"You know he's not gonna be able to fit his head through the door once he knows."

They all laughed, knowing it was true. They also knew that he would be wrapped around her little finger the moment he saw her. It was clear to Emma that she had her Grandpa and Daddy there already.

Quinn started to fuss again, and Jason started to bounce her a little when he picked up an unpleasant aroma. He wrinkled his nose and passed her to Emma, and she laughed at his reaction.

"Hey, I changed my fair share of diapers in my day. Many of them were yours."

"Here, give her here babe. I'll take care of it," Clay told her.

Once Clay had her and moved to take care of the issue, Jason approached Emma again.

"I think I'm gonna go Em and leave you guys to try and get some rest. Call me if you need anything."

He kissed her cheek and hugged her close. "I love you baby."

"Love you too Daddy."

Jason left and closed the door behind him.

Clay finished changing the baby and snuggled her close. Emma watched him holding their baby girl. His hands were so large compared to her tiny body. Those hands that shot terrorists with deadly accuracy, were now cradling his daughter while he murmured calming words to her. She felt a surge of love for him flow through her.

She was content, but still so tired. She closed her eyes for just a moment and was out. Clay glanced up from his daughter's face and saw that Emma had fallen back to sleep. He kissed her lips gently and sat down in the chair with little Quinn cuddled against his chest. He pressed his lips to her sweet, down-covered head and whispered.

"Let's let Mama sleep a little okay? Daddy's got you."

He kissed her again. "I love you Quinn Spenser, Daddy loves you."