Y'all didn't think I was gone forever, didja?

Still don't own RM. Curses.

Isabel Renee Smith arrived at 9:32 that morning, happy, healthy, and right on time.

Beth was exhausted, but otherwise fine. Her first moments with baby Isabel after giving birth even made her forget all about her father's absence. As the tiny, pink, brand-new human was laid on her chest and attempted to nurse for the first time, tears of joy leaked from Beth's eyes. After roughly half a decade she had forgotten what it was like to hold a baby. How wonderful it was.

Isabel's name had been privately chosen by Beth and Jerry a few days prior (the kids already knew that they were getting a sister, so the parents wanted to at least surprise them with the name).

Summer and Morty went to school practically bursting with the news that their baby sister was officially on her way. Grandma Joyce picked them up and signed them out at lunchtime to take them to the hospital, knowing that they wouldn't last the rest of the school day. On the drive to the hospital, the two curious siblings endlessly bounced in their seats, asking every question under the sun about their new baby sister.

"What color is her hair?"

"Does she even have hair?"

"What color are her eyes?"

"How big is she?"

"Can we hold her?"

"What's her name?"

Joyce fully answered every question except that last one. "Mommy and Daddy named her, you'll find out when we get there!"

Meanwhile at the hospital, Beth was propped up in bed, Isabel in her arms, a somber look on her face. She hadn't seen hide or hair of her father and Jerry had halfheartedly tried to buoy her spirits with reminders that the kids would be here soon and eager to meet their baby sister.

When the kids finally did arrive, they suddenly found themselves very shy and unsure, as Joyce gently ushered them in. Though they knew other kids with baby siblings, they really didn't have much experience with babies.

Beth, attempting to shake her sadness, smiled warmly at her older children. "Hey guys," she quietly greeted. "There's somebody we want you to meet."

Summer tentatively stepped forward and Morty nervously glanced up at Grandma Joyce, who smiled and nodded before placing a gentle hand on his back to signify that it was okay. Trailing behind his older sister, Morty approached the hospital bed and stood next to her on tiptoe. A small munchkin was cradled in Beth's arms, and Summer and Morty could just barely make out a tiny face nestled into their mother's left breast.

Beth smiled at her curious kids. "She's nursing." Summer smiled, while Morty's eyes grew wide with wonder.

Silently, they watched until the nursling was finished. Beth covered herself before gently shifting the baby into full view of her big sister and big brother. "Summer, Morty," she introduced, "this is your baby sister, Isabel Renee."

Summer's cheeks flooded pink with excitement as she swooned. "Isabel…" she breathed. "That's a pretty name."

Morty thought so too, but he had something else on his mind. "Can we hold her?"

Beth chuckled. "Yes, big brother, you can. Go sit in that chair next to the bed and Daddy will show you how."

Morty eagerly took a seat, his heart bursting at the fact that his "big brother" title was now official. Isabel was transferred to Jerry, who brought her over to Morty and showed the six-year-old how to properly support her head and neck. Summer sat in the chair next to them and watched carefully, taking note of her father's instructions so she would know what to do when it was her turn.

Once Isabel was settled in Morty's arms, the first grader finally got a good look at his new baby sister. His mouth fell open as he took her in. He'd never seen a baby this close before. Everything about her fascinated him: her smooth pink skin, her impossibly tiny hands, her soft snuffly breaths. She seemed much too small and too new to even be a person, and yet she was.

Morty was so lost in trying to wrap his young mind around everything that Jerry had to snap him back to reality. "Okay, let's give Summer a turn," he encouraged, reaching for Isabel.

Morty didn't want to release his new sister yet but reluctantly handed her over to his father, who then transferred her to an eager Summer. The nine-year-old was grinning from ear to ear as she experienced the moment she'd been waiting months and months for. She touched one of Isabel's tiny fists and whispered, "Hi Izzy…"

Morty leaned over the arm of the chair so he could continue looking at Isabel while still letting Summer have a turn to hold her. Beth's eyes welled up with tears as she watched her three children meet each other for the first time, chuckling at Morty straining to see Isabel's face past Summer's head. "Do you like her, Morty?" Beth asked. The boy nodded mutely, not daring to look away from where his gaze was fixed on the baby.

Summer glanced up at her mother with a toothy grin. "She's so cute, Mom!" she squealed.

Beth laughed. "She is cute, isn't she?"

Summer sighed contentedly and shifted her gaze back to the bundle in her arms. "I can't believe she's gonna be ours forever," she said dreamily. Morty shared her feelings, but was still too fixated on the little person who made him a big brother to say anything. He leaned his head on Summer's shoulder as Jerry snapped a photo of this sweet moment.

Rick practically threw himself into the portal and onto the hospital parking lot, keeping a steady hold of his portal gun as he did so. Not even stopping to see if anyone had noticed, the scientist dashed into the front doors and straight up to the receptionist.

"Hi," he rasped, worn out from his rushed journey. He was so close. "I'm here to see my daughter, Beth Smith? She just had her baby and I came as quick as I could."

The receptionist checked her records before informing Rick that his daughter was in Room 221 and giving him brief directions. Rick thanked her and made his way towards the door with the banner that read "Birthing Center". He was so fucking close.

When he finally reached Room 221, Rick had to stop for a moment and breathe. Whatever, whoever was behind that door, he had to compose himself and be prepared. He was here to support his daughter and see his final grandbaby, and that was the fact of the matter.

After a few deep breaths, Rick slowly let himself in.

He was greeted by the sight of his daughter in her hospital bed, nursing a baby tucked in her arms. No one else was present. His hands began to tremble. This was it. He was finally here.

As he had opened the door so quietly, Beth didn't even notice her father's entrance. Rick gently called out, "Beth."

Beth's heart stopped as that familiar voice she hadn't heard in months called out her name. She turned her head to the door and her eyes instantly filled with tears as her mouth fell open. It took everything in her to contain herself so as not to disturb the baby. Her daddy was home. She covered her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. She was so overcome with emotion she couldn't speak.

Rick smiled and approached the bed. "Hey sweetie," he said quietly as he kissed her forehead. "How are you doing?"

Beth wiped her eyes and sighed into a small wet laugh. "It doesn't get any easier, no matter how many times you give birth."

Rick chuckled. "I don't think childbirth is supposed to ever be easy."

Beth shook her head. "Thank God for epidurals."

Rick looked up at the empty room. "Where are the kids?"

"Jerry took them out for ice cream, it was the only way they'd give me and the baby some space," Beth answered, glancing down at the little one finishing up nursing in her arms. "Speaking of which…" she added, covering herself and shifting the blanket. "I think Isabel's ready to meet her grandpa."

Rick's face lit up and he broke out into a warm smile. Isabel. What a beautiful name.

His hands shook as he slowly reached for the fragile little baby that Beth was gently handing off to him. He hadn't held a baby since his last visit with Morty, and he hadn't held a newborn since his own daughter's birth. He was definitely nervous.

Rick had cleansed himself with a full-body sanitizer from Birdperson's kitchen before coming, so physically, he was ready. Emotionally, he wasn't so sure.

As if she could read his mind, Rick noticed that Beth gave him an understanding and encouraging smile, telling him it was okay.

Rick gently took Isabel into his arms and sat in the rocking chair next to the bed. He pulled back the blanket and got his first look at his newborn granddaughter.

The world around him seemed to shut off and then disappear entirely. This was the first time since his daughter's birth that Rick had seen a newborn baby in all of their newborn glory. And he didn't want to miss a single detail again. He had forgotten what it felt like to hold a brand-new person, one who looked so impossibly small (wow, could a human being really be this small?). The intellectual side that took over most of Rick's psyche was teeming with eagerness, she was so new and he had so much to tell her. But there was also an emotional portion that poked its head out to have its turn at discovery, and was filled to the brim with joy and love; she was so little and sweet and he just wanted to enjoy her all that he could. And maybe there was a tiny hint of sadness…his own baby girl had been this little once, and oh how he wanted that time back.

Isabel's eyes were a piercing shade of blue. They mesmerized Rick.

Beth watched with nothing but adoration. At that moment, she honestly did not care how long her dad was staying this time, if he was even planning to stay awhile. All she had wanted from the moment she found out she was pregnant again was for her father to be here to meet the baby, and that prayer was being answered right this very minute. She reveled in the moment. Not a word was spoken between them for a time. There was only love.

When Isabel's captivating irises locked with Rick's, he smiled warmly.

"Hey there, kiddo," he whispered. "I'm your Grandpa Rick."

Thanks for your reviews, all! More to come!