"Come on, nana!" Harrison tugged on Charlotte's hand as they approached the hospital. "We gotta meet Salem!"

She chuckled. "Slow down, Sonny boy. We need to check in at the desk and figure out where exactly we're going."

He threw his arms out and groaned. "That's gonna take FOREVER."

"It'll be quick. I promise."

He ran up to the front desk. "We're here for my baby sister."

"Well, young man," the receptionist replied, "let's see if we can get you up there right away. What's the name?"

"Elizabeth Thornton," Charlotte answered. "Should be in postpartum. My son said it's the second floor?"

"That's right. Let me just get that room number for you, and you can be on your way."

"Nana!" Harrison tugged on her coat. "It's daddy!" He pointed toward the elevators, where Jack had just emerged.

"Oh, there's my son. Can he just show us where to go?"

"Go ahead." The receptionist waved them on.

"Daddy!" Harrison ran to him.

Jack scooped him up, hugging him tightly. "Hi, Sonny boy. Are you ready to see mommy and meet your sister?"

He nodded emphatically. "Yeah! Let's go!"

Charlotte put an arm around her son. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, ma. Just wait until you see her. She's perfect."

A few minutes later, Jack knocked on the door of Elizabeth's room before opening it a crack.

"Are my girls ready for some visitors?"

"Come on in," Elizabeth's voice sounded from around the curtain.

Harrison rushed in the room first, grinning from ear to ear when he saw Elizabeth holding a little bundle. "Hi, mommy!"

"Hi, bud. Come meet Salem." She shifted the baby in her arms so he could better see her face.

"Can I hold her?"

"Come sit here," Jack motioned toward the chair near the wall, "and I'll bring her to you."

Charlotte helped surround the little boy with pillows while Jack took the baby from Elizabeth.

"Okay, make sure you hold her head." He carefully lowered Salem onto the pillows, helping Harrison support her head.

Harrison giggled. "She's really little, daddy."

Jack laughed softly. "Why don't you introduce yourself to her?"

"Hi, Salem." He touched his sister's cheek. "I'm your big brother. I'm sorry that I was mad that you aren't a brother."

"She's beautiful, Lizzy." Charlotte looked over at her daughter-in-law. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm exhausted, but I've never been happier. When they first put her on me right after she was born," she shook her head. "I can't even describe how that felt."

"It's been a long time since I had that experience, but I know exactly what you're talking about."

"Daddy?" Harrison looked confused. "Why is her face like that?"

Jack glanced over at his children, noticing that Salem's face was scrunched up and red. He chuckled. "That face just means she'll probably need a diaper change soon."

A disgusted look came over Harrison's face. "I'm not doing that."

Elizabeth laughed. "Daddy and I don't expect you to change her diapers. You can help feed her bottles, though."

He nodded. "I can do that."

"You're such a good big brother already," Charlotte observed, taking a seat in the chair beside her grandson.

"Look at them, sweetheart." Jack sat on the bed next to Elizabeth, taking her hand. "Our two kids."

"I still can't believe she isn't inside of me anymore. It feels so strange."

"I know. It seems like so long ago that you told me you were pregnant." He leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I love you, Beth."

...

"Jack?" Elizabeth glanced up at him, meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror. "Are you going to move? I don't want to rush you, but I'd like to get home before she needs to eat or have a diaper change again."

He dropped his hands from the steering wheel. "I just…" he turned to look at her, tears filling his eyes, "it's overwhelming. I didn't think I would get to experience this again. Before Harrison was born, Olive and I had talked about having more than one baby, but then when she died…" He shook his head. "It's just so surreal to me. We're heading home with our new daughter."

She smiled. "We are. Just as soon as you start the car."

He chuckled, wiping the tears from his cheeks. "Okay, Salem." He returned his attention to the road, carefully maneuvering out of the parking lot. "Your mommy seems a little impatient, so let's get you two home."

"I wonder what Simba will think of her," Elizabeth mused.

"I think he won't be super interested in her until she starts crying."

"So, the opposite of Harrison," she joked. "I already know that he's going to want her far away from him the first time he hears her cry."

"At least she doesn't cry too much."

"Hopefully she continues to be that way as she gets older." She smiled, reaching over to brush her finger across the baby's cheek. "Gosh, I just can't get over how perfect she is. And she's ours. Our perfect little baby to love and comfort and protect forever."

"She's amazing."

"Is this how you felt when you first brought Harrison home?"

"I think I was a lot more anxious, but yes." A smile played on his lips. "What really hit me was that first night home with him. Olive had just nursed him, and I was holding him until he fell asleep, and it just struck me then. I watched his little eyes closing and realized that Olive and I had really been entrusted with him. He was our responsibility."

Elizabeth took a deep breath. "It's kind of terrifying."

"Just remember we'll have lots of help along the way, sweetheart. And even though you've never parented a newborn before, you're already a great mom. We'll make mistakes with Salem, of course—God knows I've made mistakes with Harrison along the way, and will most definitely make more—but all that really matters is that we love them and provide them with what they need."

"Salem," Elizabeth touched her daughter's hand, "I might be biased, but I think you have the very best daddy in the entire world."

...

"They're here!" Harrison shouted with his face pressed up against the front window. "Mommy and daddy and Salem are home!"

William peered out the window. "Stay here with grandma. I'm going to help them bring everything in."

"What do you think?" Grace put a hand on his back. "Excited to have your sister home?"

He nodded. "Uh huh. Mommy says I can help give her bottles. And I'm gonna teach her about meerkats, and we're gonna watch Lion King."

"Lots of fun plans. She's going to love you."

"Mommy! Daddy!" Harrison exclaimed when they came through the door.

"Hi, sweetheart." Elizabeth smiled at him.

Jack set the carseat containing Salem on the sofa before helping Elizabeth take a seat. "Hey, bud." He lifted Harrison onto his hip. "Have you been having fun with grandma Grace and grandpa William?"

"Yeah. We took Simba for a walk, and I rode my bike. Can I hold Salem?"

"Let her and mommy get settled in a bit first."

"Aw, man."

He chuckled, ruffling his hair as he set him down. "You won't have to wait long, Harrison. I promise."

Grace peered at her granddaughter sleeping soundly in the carseat. "She's cuter than in hospital."

"Well, she's mostly lost the cone-head now, so I'd have to agree with you there," Elizabeth joked as she carefully lifted the baby to her shoulder.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired and sore, but I expected that."

"Well, you just relax." William put a hand on her shoulder. "Mom and I can stay as long as you want us to today."

"You're doing okay, mom?"

Grace nodded. "Much better. Almost back to normal."

William smiled at his wife. "Sometimes I forget anything even happened with as well as she's doing now."

"I'm so glad."

"Can I hold Salem now?" Harrison climbed up beside Elizabeth. "Please?"

Jack retrieved the pillow from the suitcase and helped Harrison get settled. "Now remember," he carefully took Salem from Elizabeth and lowered her into Harrison's arms, "you need to support her head. Her neck isn't very strong right now."

"I know, daddy." He smiled down at his baby sister. "Hi, Salem. Do you remember me?"

"Harrison, did you notice what she's wearing?"

He looked at the little dinosaur sleeper she was dressed in, a smile stretching across his face when he realized what it was. "I picked that out!"

"You did," Elizabeth confirmed. "I think she likes it."

"Me and daddy got lots of dinosaur stuff for you, Salem. And Lion King! Daddy, can we watch Lion King today?"

"Sure, bud."

"And can we go to the zoo soon? I wanna show Salem the meerkats!"

"Well, she needs to get a little bigger before we take her places. Maybe when you have Spring Break, we can all go."

"Oh." His face fell. "I wanna go tomorrow."

Jack chuckled. "You have to go back to school tomorrow, bud. Christmas break is over."

"Hey, Harrison," William offered. "Maybe one weekend, grandma Grace and I can take you and Aaron and Willa to the zoo."

"Yeah!" he cheered, startling the baby. His eyes widened when she started to cry.

"It's okay, Salem," Elizabeth cooed, placing her hand on the baby's stomach to calm her. "Harrison didn't mean to scare you."

"Just remember that she's been in mommy's belly all this time, so loud noises will probably scare her for a while until she gets used to them."

"Okay," he whispered. "I'll be quiet."

...

Jack looked down at the baby in his arms. She blinked, her eyes flicking around as she tried to focus on his face. "Hi, sweetheart," he whispered. "It looks like we're the only ones still awake right now."

Elizabeth and Harrison had both fallen asleep at some point during the movie, Elizabeth leaning against his shoulder and Harrison curled up in the chair with Simba at his feet.

"I hope you liked that movie. It's your brother's favorite, so we watch it a lot in this house."

She opened her little mouth, poking her tongue through her lips.

"Are you hungry, Salem?" He glanced at his watch, noticing it had been nearly three hours since her last feeding. "Okay, baby girl. Let's get you fed."

Gently, he roused Elizabeth.

"Hm?" She blinked sleepily. "Is Salem okay?"

"She's fine. I wouldn't have woken you, but I think she's hungry, and I can't do much to help that right now."

She held out her arms, taking the baby from him and yawning as she settled her in to nurse. "I want to try her on a bottle soon."

"Let's hope she isn't as picky as Harrison," he joked. "He wasn't picky about formula or temperature or anything, but he only took one or two kinds of bottles."

"Mm." She looked down at her daughter as she fed, a sleepy smile playing on her lips.

Jack kissed her temple. "I'm going to take Harrison to his room. Don't let me forget I need to take him to school in the morning."

"No promises that I'll remember. I'm running on very little sleep as it is, and I don't anticipate getting much tonight."

He chuckled. "I'll set an alarm." He lifted Harrison from the chair and carried him down the hall.

"What do you think, baby girl?" Elizabeth said quietly, brushing her finger across Salem's cheek. "Do you think you're going to like it here? It's a pretty fun place."

She grunted, and Simba lifted his head, his ear cocked. As Jack had predicted, the dog hadn't been very interested in the baby, only looking up now and again when she made a noise.

"Oh, Simba heard you that time." She gazed at her daughter, taking in her tiny hands and feet, her little ears and soft hair. "I just can't believe how much I love you, Salem."

"It's pretty amazing, isn't it?" Jack leaned against the back of the sofa. "How much love you can have for this tiny person you just met."

"But somehow it feels like I've known her forever. Like, I look at her face, and it's familiar to me. It's the strangest and most wonderful feeling."

He smiled, kissing the top of her head. "I love you so much, Beth."

...

"Mommy?" Harrison peered into the bedroom the next morning. "You taking me to school?"

Elizabeth glanced at the clock. "Oh, gosh. I didn't realize what time it was. Jack." She reached over to nudge him. "Jack, sweetheart."

"Hm?" he mumbled, rolling over.

"You need to take Harrison to school. We have about fifteen minutes before you need to be on your way."

His eyes shot open. "Crap. I forgot to set the alarm."

"Harrison, you go get dressed, and I'll get you a bowl of cereal." Elizabeth shifted the baby in her arms before turning to get off of the bed. "Okay, Salem. Let's go get breakfast for big brother."

"Mommy?" Harrison said as he took a bite of his cereal a few minutes later. "Salem was loud last night."

"I know, bud." She gave him a sympathetic smile, bouncing the baby in her arms. "Right now, crying is the only way she can tell us when she needs something, and we're still getting used to knowing when she needs to eat or have a diaper change."

"I hope she learns to talk soon. Miss Reynolds says we gotta use our words when we're mad or sad instead of screaming."

She chuckled. "That's right, but unfortunately, Salem won't be able to talk for a while."

"Okay, Sonny boy." Jack wandered into the kitchen, covering his mouth as he yawned. "Finish up breakfast."

"Poor dad." Elizabeth put her hand on his back. "You shouldn't have partied so hard last night," she joked.

"Ha ha. How are you so bright-eyed this morning?"

She shrugged. "No idea, because I feel exhausted. I'm ready for a nap."

He kissed her temple. "After I take Harrison to school, I'll take Little Miss for a while so you can rest."

"Thank you." She smiled. "Harrison? Did you know you and Salem have the best daddy in the world?"

Harrison nodded. "Yeah. He's the best!"

Jack ruffled his hair. "I love you, bud. Now let's get you to school."