Penelope was sat up in bed, her newborn in her arms and Gordon in the chair beside her. He was stroking their son's tiny hand, a contented smile on his face. They had yet to broach the topic of names, though she had an idea for which names on their list suited him. As she was about to mention it, there was a knock on the door, and Scott's head poked round. Before they could beckon him in, Alan had pushed the door open and walked straight into the room. Gordon stood up and embraced his younger brother.
"Congratulations!"
Penelope smiled at the 'It's a boy' balloon which was now floating above the embracing brothers. The rest of the Tracy family filed in, flowers in Scott's arms, Virgil caring a pile of presents and smiles on every face. Sally power-walked around Scott and embraced Penelope before looking down at her new great-grandson, tears welling in her eyes. Penelope carefully held her son out, and watch the elder woman hold the baby close. The love and care in Sally's eyes melted Penelope's heart as the woman cooed over the baby.
Scott walked round her bed and placed the flowers on the side table as Virgil placed the presents on the chair Gordon had vacated, before pulling Penelope into a hug and whispering 'congratulations' in her ear. Scott lent over and gave her a hug from the other side.
"How are you doing?"
"Tired but great. He's perfect."
Penelope looked over at her son, now in the arms of the legendary Jeff Tracy. The man's eyes were full of tears as he held his first grandson. She couldn't imagine what was going through the man's head. Having spent eight years stranded, not knowing if he'd ever see his sons again. Now he was now holding his grandson for the first time, something she believed he never thought he'd do. The tears fell, the grin on his face as he looked up at her filled her heart with warmth.
"He's beautiful."
Jeff stroked the newborn's head, before leaning down and kissing the boy's forehead. Scott and Virgil headed over to their father, Scott putting his arm around Jeff's back as Virgil took the baby. Jeff wiped the tears that fell and put his arm round his eldest son. Virgil rocked the baby, and John came up and stroked his nephews' hand. Alan was catching Gordon up on all he'd missed, their chatter filling the room. Jeff placed the presents on the bed next to her feet and sat on the chair next to her, Scott came over and stood beside him, hand on his shoulder. Sally pulled up a chair on the other side and took Penelope's hand with a smile. They chatted about the birth, his weight and how he looked like Gordon had when he was born. John sat down and Virgil passed him the baby, before turning to Gordon. The banter between Gordon and Virgil started, filling the room with laughter. When the baby started crying, they all laughed as Gordon got nappy changing duty, the jokes now being directed at the family joker.
Penelope laughed along, warmed by the feeling of home the people around her brought with them. Looking around the noisy room at the many smiling faces, Penelope couldn't help but feel lucky to be part of this family. She knew her son would be loved, cherished and protected by every person in the room.