Mike Rostenkowski always knew that keeping his police cruiser was a good idea, despite everyone trying to stop him. He knew it would come in handy for times like these. The retired officer barreled out of the driveway, sirens blaring, on track to the hospital. His son-in-law called him, his newest grandbaby was born and apparently there were some complications. Although he wasn't fond of the boy, he couldn't leave him stranded, especially if these complications were as serious as he claimed.

Mr. Rostenkowski parked in front of the Emergency room and walked into the maternity ward. There in the hallway he saw the man, head in hands, sitting on the ground, with his knees against his chest, clearly panicked.

"Get up," the gruff man, pulled the new father to his feet, "Now tell me what's going on?"

Howard's eyes filled with tears as he looked to his father-in-law.

"I'm so sorry Mike, I'm so sorry, I failed."

"Howard, what is going on?" he asked, now realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"I promised her everything would be fine, but…but it's not, Mike. The baby isn't breathing, they took the little bundle out before we could even hold it! Then Bernie…oh, God, Bernie." Howard cried running his hands through his hair.

"What's wrong with my daughter?" Mr. Rostenkowski boomed with concern.

"She's hemorrhaging, she just passed out after she told me to follow the baby. I…I don't know what I'm doing. What can I do? I can't see my wife. I can't hold my baby. No one is telling me anything! He grabbed the wall again.

"Why don't you do as your wife says and follow your baby!" the ex-cop said dumb founded.

Howard looked up at him, how he thought this was going to be a good idea. Mike hated him. He didn't understand who Howard was and he was definitely not the husband he wanted for his little girl. The scrawny engineer was so weak in his giant father-in-laws eyes. Bernie's dad always bullied him and he would normally put up with it, but not today.

"I don't know Sir, maybe because I feel conflicted. I love my wife, I want to stay here and support her. I also love my baby, and feel like I need to be with that lifeless little bundle, so it doesn't feel so alone! I. Am. Trapped. I could lose the two people, who keep me going, and if I lose them what am I, Mike? What am I?" the older man averted his gaze, "I'll tell you what I am without them, a lonely loser, who has far too many toys and an ego that's bigger than his body! So I'm sorry that I'm not handling this the 'suck it up, I'm a man way' like you would. I'm sorry, I'm scared!" Howard retorted.

Mike Rostenkowski stood there in shock that Howard had actually stuck up for himself and gone against him. It was true even if he were in the same situation, he couldn't have handled it any better. The new grandpa took a step back too look at the frightened father.

"It's ok son, I'm scared too, but right now we have to be strong, for them," Mike placed a hand on Howard's shoulder, "I can't promise everything will be alright, but I've got a pretty good idea that it will be. If I know my Bernadette she won't stop fighting, and hell, that baby is half her and half you. So it's gotta be pretty scrappy, especially since it's only gonna be about two feet tall for most of its life. Right now though, you need to do what your wife told you to do, cause she'll be pissed when she wakes up and finds out you didn't do it!"

"But…" Howard began.

"No buts," his father-in-law interrupted, "you go worry about your baby, and I'll worry about now. We can tag out once we know more. Sound good?"

"Sounds great. Thank you sir," Howard started to walk away, but stopped and turned around, "Oh, by the way Mike, it's a girl."

"Is it now," the grandfather smirked with pride.

"So, I guess, we're kind of in the same boat, both worrying about our baby girls," Howard shuffled his feet.

"I guess we are," Mike sighed. His son-in-law turned to walk away again, "Howard!"

"Yes sir," the little man spun on his heels.

"Well, since you are one now, and will probably have a lot of questions for since you're still new to this, you an uhh….you can call me dad." The big man replied in the most nonchalant way.

Howard smiled, a few happy tears formed in his eyes, but he'd never let them fall, especially not in front of Mike, "Thank you sir…I mean Mike…I mean Dad!" He stumbled over his words.

"Just go get my granddaughter!" Mr. Rostenkowski shook his head and rolling his eyes, with a smirk on his face.

"Will do, Dad!" Howard said as he sped off in the opposite direction.