I comb my fingers through my hair as I jog through the automatic sliding doors of the hospital. Nate called me about an hour ago. Elena went into labor and he drove her to the hospital. I scan the waiting room for Nate. I spot him sitting by the floor to ceiling windows, leg jittering a million miles an hour. I slide into the seat next to him. "Hey, kid."

"What's up?" He keeps staring into nothingness, just carrying on a conversation out of habit.

"Nothing much. You catch the Giants game last night?"

"Nah. Elena went into labor right before kickoff."

I nod. "Ah."

Nate shakes his head to wipe himself out of his funk. "Sully, I've seen things today I never thought I'd see."

"So everything went okay?"

"Yeah, everything's awesome. Elena's napping and the doctors took the baby to the nursery."

"Boy or girl?"

"Girl, much to Elena's delight. And mine. Honestly, I don't care. I'm just happy she's finally here."

"Can I see her?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course." He jumps out of his seat and excitedly takes me down the hall. He stops at a window facing into a room with rows of little bundles of blue or pink blankets. Nate puts his finger on the window. "She's that one." I almost tell him to be more specific, but I stop when I see the look on his face. It's one of pure joy. Instead I ask, "Have you and Elena settled on a name yet?"

"Elizabeth."

I chuckle and shake my head. "You two are such nerds."

"What's wrong with Elizabeth?"

"Nothing. We could call her Ellie for short."

"Nah, I like Lizzy. I dated a girl named Ellie once."

"Ah, yes. The little brunette with the big green eyes."

"Uh-huh. She had a big smart mouth, though."

"Look who's talking," I say, nudging his shoulder.

"Shut up. I'm not-" He cuts himself off and grabs my arm. "Oh, they're moving her! Elena's probably awake. Let's go see."

I follow him as he practically skips down the hallway. I let him precede me into the room. I watch from the threshold as the nurse hands Elizabeth to Nate. The tired but happy couple converse with the nurse, then they share a laugh as the nurse walks towards me. She flashes a smile as she passes. I refocus on my little family and blink in surprise when Nate motions me into the room. The kid grins as I take cautious steps. "Come on, Sully. I want you to hold her."

"What if I drop her?"

"You're not gonna drop her." Reluctantly, I hold out my arms and Nate places Elizabeth carefully. He shifts my hands to cradle her head. The first thing that strikes me is her eyes. They match her father's exactly: bright blue and ever curious. She wiggles closer to my torso, probably sensing my heat. "She's so little," I murmur.

"Well, yeah. She was in my stomach just a few hours ago," Elena points out.

I simply roll my eyes then turn my attention back to Elizabeth. She scrunches her eyes and nose to make room for a giant yawn. "So have you decided what she's gonna call you?" Nate asks, then giggles as he thinks of something. "Grandpa?"

"Grandpa makes me sound old," I protest.

"Well..."

"You're lucky I'm still holding your daughter. I could take you down in a heartbeat." Nate sticks his tongue out at me after briefly considering giving me the finger. "How 'bout uncle?" I recommend.

"Uncle Sully? It has a nice ring to it," Elena laughs.

"Yeah, Uncle Sully." I smile at Elizabeth then Elena then Nate. He looks so happy, it's comical, but I've known him long enough to be able to detect the underlying twinge of fear in his super expressive eyes.