Author note:

The only good thing about being home is more time to write. I hope this lives up to your expectations. Enjoy!

CH 5-The Godfather

Sonny stepped off the plane and headed to baggage claim. This whole thing felt surreal. His little 'brother' and the Princess were parents of a baby girl. He'd settled things at the ranch as quickly as he could and booked a flight to Virginia Beach.

He continued down the hallways until he reached the baggage carrousel. His bag was among the first up. Grabbing it, he shouldered his ruck and went in search of his ride. Sonny stepped outside and scanned for a familiar face.

"Son! Good to see ya man!"

"You too Boss. Or, should I say, Grandpa?"

Jason shook his head and scrubbed a hand over his beard. Then he grabbed Sonny in a fierce hug. The Texan hugged him and then slapped him on the back.

"Being a Grandpa makin' ya soft?"

"Just wait until you see her Son," he grinned.

"Well, let's get this show on the road then. I got a new niece to meet."

On the drive to Clay and Emma's they talked about Sonny's life on his family ranch and Jason's security consulting work. They were both making it, but they missed their door-kicker days.

"It's a young man's game Jace. How's Clay doin', being Bravo one?"

"You know I don't know all the details anymore man."

"But yer keepin' tabs though."

Jason glanced at him out of the side of his eye.

"I tell you Son, he's better than I ever was."

"Ya don't tell him that, do ya?"

"Hell no!" They both burst out laughing.

They pulled up to the house and Sonny dug around in his bag and pulled out a little, stuffed horse with a pink bow around its neck. Jason quirked his eyebrow at him.

"What? Something for the baby. Can't tell me you ain't gotten her nothin'."

Jason chuckled. "You going soft Bravo three, or should I say, Uncle Sonny?"

The two men walked up to the door and knocked softly. Clay answered the door, greeted Jason, and pulled Sonny into a brotherly embrace.

"Good to see you man. Thanks for making the trip."

"I had to come see the newest member of the Bravo family, didn't I?"

"Come on in. Em's upstairs changing the baby's diaper. They'll be back down in a minute. You need a drink or something?"

"Sure, ya know I never turn down a free beer."

Clay fetched three bottles and passed Jason and Sonny each a beer. They sat down in the living room and started to catch up. They all looked up when Emma got to the bottom of the stairs.

"There they are."

Clay stood up and gently lifted the baby from Emma's arms, so she could greet Sonny. The older man stood up and wrapped her in a big bear-hug.

"Congratulations Princess."

"Thanks Sonny. And thank you for coming all this way."

"A'course. Now…let me have a look at that baby Spenser."

Sonny didn't expect Clay to lay the infant in his arms.

"Whoa there." Sonny wasn't used to being around babies and could count on one hand the times he had held one. He had definitely never held one this tiny. He sat back down carefully and pulled the blankets back from her face. He took in the blonde hair as fine as corn-silk, and caught just a glimpse of hazy, blue eyes.

"Well, aren't ya a pretty little filly. Ya gonna wake up and visit with Uncle Sonny?"

The baby let out a tiny snore and snuggled into Sonny's arms for a snooze. They all laughed softly.

"Whatcha callin her?"

He had addressed the query to Emma, but she let Clay answer his friend and brother.

"We named her after a couple people that are very important to us. She's Quinn Alana Spenser."

Sonny said nothing. He couldn't get anything past the lump in his throat. Sonny Quinn, who was always ready with a quip or a comeback, was speechless. He swallowed convulsively and they all pretended not to notice the tear that had escaped from the corner of his eye.

His voice was gruff and raspy when he finally did respond. "That's…that's, well. I am honored. Truly honored you two."

"And Son, we'd also like you to be her Godfather…if you would."

Sonny cleared his throat again and blinked back more tears. "Y'all sure you want me to do that? Seems like Ray woulda been a better choice."

"We want you, Son."

"Well, I surely will do that then."

"At least she'll have a good example of what not to do," Jason joked, breaking the seriousness of the moment.

"Hey now, I'm not a complete heathen."

Sonny suddenly remembered the gift he had brought. "Jace, can you hand Emma that gift I brought for the little one?"

Jason grabbed the plush off the table and handed it to his daughter. "Sonny, it's precious. She's going to love it. We'll tell her how her Uncle Sonny brought it to her all the way from his ranch in Texas."

Quinn started to squirm and fuss. Sonny quickly passed her back to Emma. The baby rooted around began to register her displeasure.

"I think she's hungry. Let me go feed her. Clay, why don't you get started getting the things set out for dinner."

"Em, you don't have to entertain us," Jason said He and Sonny stood up and prepared to leave.

"Nonsense. We want to visit with Sonny for a little bit."

"But…"

"We already have everything fixed; we just have to heat a couple things up."

Clay walked over and put his arm around Sonny's shoulder. "It's best not to argue with her man." And he shivered in mock-fear.

"Just for that, you're on diaper duty for the rest of the day," she teased

"See what I mean," Clay said. They all laughed.

After she nursed, Quinn was ready for another nap. Emma laid her in her bassinette and brought the monitor with her downstairs and joined the guys. They finished setting the table and sat down for their meal. Just as he always had, Sonny kept them in stiches with his stories. There were endless tales of life on the ranch. All three men reminisced about funny incidents from their shared past. When the meal was over Emma was clearing the dishes and Clay settled back in the living room to continue their visit.

"Spenser, where's the head?"

"Up the stairs, first door on your right."

As Emma washed up the dishes, she heard some talking coming over the monitor from Quinn's room.

"Hey there little one. Listen, I ain't never had any kids of my own. You're probably about as close as I'm gonna get to any grandbabies. I promise to be here for you no matter what. And that little horse sittin' over there. That ain't nothin. Yer gonna have yer own pony. And I'm gonna get ya a hat and some real, Texas cowboy boots, not the fake shi-, stuff you find around here. Then, when you come and visit me at the ranch, I'm gonna teach ya how to ride proper." The baby whimpered a bit and then quieted. "Okay, I'm goin'. Don't wanna wake ya up. Yer Mama would have my head. She's pretty special ya know. And yer Daddy too, but don't tell him I said so. Let's keep that between you and me, okay?"

Emma couldn't hold back her tears. She always knew that Sonny Quinn was just a big teddy-bear hiding behind that gruff cowboy-come-SEAL exterior. He rarely let anyone see that side of him. And it seemed baby Quinn had breached that façade in record time.