Jerry sat in the waiting room, the silence filling the air. His fingers drummed restlessly on the armrest, his legs itching to move, but he fought to keep still. Every few minutes, his eyes flicked across to his sons, Justin pacing the length of the room with tight, anxious strides. While Max, sitting beside Juliet, clenched his hands in his lap as his eyes remained fixated on the door to the delivery room, as if willing it to open.

The hours felt like days, stretching on in a blur, and Jerry couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in his chest.

The waiting was harder than he'd imagined. He tried to quiet the anxious thoughts with logic.

'Alex will be fine. She's tough. She's in the right place…'

But even as he thought it, a deep, quiet worry settled in his gut. This was different. This wasn't just the birth of a child; this was his little girl in there, about to become a mother herself. The idea was still almost impossible for him to grasp. He remembered Alex—his wild-eyed, imaginative girl with scraped knees, growing up before his eyes, now stepping into the very role he'd once imagined only for others. No matter the number of births he'd witnessed, this one was uncharted territory.

Cutting through the air, a piercing scream tore through the silence. Jerry's heart leapt in his chest as the desperate shout echoed down the hall. He flinched, his breath catching. Alex.

The sound of her pain hit him harder than he expected.

"Do you think she's okay?" Max's voice broke through the tension, low and shaky. His face was pale, his usual bravado gone.

Jerry opened his mouth to reassure him, but another scream—louder, more urgent—ripped through the air. His chest tightened, the instinct to be with Alex overwhelming him. He wanted to rush in, to hold her hand, to tell her it would be okay. But all he could do was sit there, paralyzed by helplessness.

"It's just a part of it," Jerry said, forcing a calm he didn't feel. "Alex is tough. You know that. She'll be fine."

Max nodded, but he wasn't convinced.

Justin looked over, frustration in his eyes. "I just wish someone would come out and tell us something. I mean, how long is this supposed to take?"

Jerry nodded, his own impatience mirroring Justin's. The minutes were stretching endlessly, and the anticipation was becoming too much for Jerry to bare. Without thinking, he shot up from his chair, the scrape of it loud in the still room. "I'm going in," he said, giving way to the pressing need to be there for his daughter.

"Dad, wait," Justin said quickly, stepping forward and gripping Jerry's arm. "We can't go in. They'll come out with news soon. Just—"

All of a sudden the door to the delivery room swung open, forcing Justin to a complete halt, and Dr. Butcher stepped out. Her face was calm, with a softness in her eyes that conveyed relief. "Mr. Russo!" she called, her gaze locking on Jerry.

Jerry's legs felt weak as he rushed over, with Justin and Max following closely behind. "How is she?" He asked, his voice hoarse, his heart racing.

The Doctor smiled, "Alex is fine. She's tired, but everything went smoothly." She glanced between the three of them before adding, "And there's a little girl in there who's waiting to meet her grandpa…"

Jerry blinked, stunned. A girl?

The words hung in the air like a weight.

His granddaughter. The air rushed out of him, the tightness in his chest dissolving into a flood of emotion. He hadn't realized how long he'd been holding his breath until it all came out in one heavy exhale. His hands jittered as he wiped his face, the tears threatening to spill.

Justin let out a relieved laugh, and both Max and Juliet's faces broke into a wide grin. Moving in closer, the three Russo men formed a small, unspoken circle of support.

"Really?" Jerry asked, his voice cracking.

The Doctor nodded. "She's 4 pounds, 10 ounces. A little doll. We'll have to keep an eye on her for a couple of days, but she's doing well so far."

"And I can see her?"

"Of course," Doctor Butcher said with a smile. "They're waiting for you."

Jerry didn't need to be told twice. He practically ran to the room, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never imagined this moment would come so quickly, his little girl, now a mother. But when the door opened and he saw Mason holding a wriggling bundle in his arms, Jerry's breath caught.

Mason looked up, a beaming smile plastered on his face. With a soft snicker, he moved closer. "I think somone wants to meet her grandpa," he said gently before pausing briefly, reluctant to let go.

Mason passed the baby to Jerry with a smooth motion, and Jerry hesitated for only a second, then gingerly he cradled the tiny bundle in his arms. She was so small, so fragile. He adjusted her carefully, the weight of her breathtaking in the most beautiful way. For the first time in a long while, Jerry felt a deep sense of peace settle over him. His usual goofiness melted away in the face of this new love. His gaze softened as he looked down at his granddaughter, her face somehow reflecting all of Jerry's memories of Alex's childhood. With a faint smirk, Jerry cooed at the baby, "You're going to be trouble, aren't you?" He glanced at Mason, staring at his daughter with a lovesick smile. "She's got you wrapped around her finger already, huh?"

Mason gave a slight nod of his head with a quiet laugh, his gaze never leaving the baby. She cooed, her tiny fingers twitching in her sleep as she settled into Jerry's arms. For a long moment, Jerry watched her, his eyes twinkling with joy and a touch of disbelief. All he could do was look at her. This tiny, perfect little girl. His granddaughter. It was a feeling unlike anything he had ever known.

The baby was small, delicate, and wrapped snugly in a soft, pastel-colored blanket. Her skin is a smooth, porcelain shade, and her tiny fingers curled instinctively around the edges of the blanket. Her hair, though barely visible under a knitted hat, was a fine, dark brown, hinting that she might have inherited her father's thick hair. Her face was round and serene, with a soft, almost ethereal glow to it. And there was something about the shape of her lips—slightly curled at the edges—that gave the impression she might be on the verge of a smile, even as she rested peacefully in her grandfather's arms.

Her little nose was a perfect blend of Alex and Mason, a charming mix of both parents' features.

"Oh Alex," Jerry started, his voice thick. "Sweetie, She's beautiful. Just beautiful."

As he cradled his granddaughter, his heart swelled with love and a deep, unspoken sense of fulfillment.

Jerry's gaze shifted toward the door as it creaked open, and in stepped Justin and Max. Justin exuded his usual calm and composure, though there was a subtle warmth in his eyes. Max, by contrast, seemed to vibrate with energy, practically bouncing on his toes, his excitement reaching an almost absurd level and in an exaggerated whisper he asked, "can we see her? Can we see her?!"

His eyes gleamed with anticipation, and he immediately made a beeline for his father and the baby.

"Wow…" Max turned strangely quiet, looking at his new niece with a mix of awe and curiosity. "She's … she's actually kinda cute. How is she already this cute? I thought they come out funny looking?"

Alex chuckled, shaking her head as she observed Max's reaction. "Well, that's certainly a charming way to greet your niece, Max! But yes, she is incredibly cute."

"Well, she's definitely already stealing hearts, that's for sure!" Their mother added peering over at the bundle in her husband's arms.

Max grinned from ear to ear as he gently reached out to get a closer look at the baby, his fingers hovering just above the blanket in a delicate, almost reverent way.

"Can I hold her? Please? I've never held a baby before…"

Jerry glanced down at Alex, who offered him a small nod, then allowed Max to carefully lift the baby from his arms. "Make sure to support her head," Jerry advised sternly.

Max held the baby with a sense of wonder, completely at ease, his face glowing with excitement as he gazed down at the little one. "Look at her little hands," he chuckled.

The baby let out a tiny, contented sigh as Max cradled her, and without warning, a wave of realization washed over Harper. "I can't believe Max gets a hug before I do!"

Alex rolled her eyes in playful exasperation, "I'd thought you'd be too busy planning her wardrobe to notice."

Harper grinned, "Only the best for this little one! But seriously, could you imagine a tiny little wizard cape?" Her eyes twinkled with glee, "how cute would that be!"

"She is a Russo, after all." Justin smirked watching his niece settle in his brothers embrace.

"Actually, she's not," Alex said glancing to Mason, "She's a Greyback."

He sat down beside Alex on the bed, and pulled her into his arms, pressing a soft kiss on to the top of her head.

Justin gradually shuffled closer to the bed, a proud, grin on his face as he leaned over and placed a hand on Alex's shoulder, rubbing it softly. "You did good Alex, and you're going to be an amazing mom. She's lucky to have you."

Alex's eyes softened, her smile genuine, "Thank you Justin, I hope so…"

"Ok I've had enough." Theresa proclaimed interrupting the siblings, "It's grandmas turn!" She stretched her arms outwards and gently reached out for the baby. Swiftly scooping her from Max's embrace, she then whispered, almost to herself, "I've always dreamed of this day…"

Theresa cradled the baby tenderly, as if she was holding the world's most fragile and precious treasure. Gently rocking the baby in her arms, she continued, "Oh, my sweet girl... It's just like holding your mommy again, when she was a little baby."

Theresa admired the baby, her eyes sparkling with unspoken emotions. She ran a gentle finger along the baby's soft cheek, then traced the curve of her tiny hand with her thumb. She looked up at Alex, her eyes filled with love and pride. "She's perfect, Mijha. I'm so proud of you…"

Alex's eyes welled with emotion as she watched her mother hold her daughter. "I'm so glad you were here, Mom."

Theresa's eyes sparkled with warmth. "I wouldn't have been anywhere else, sweetheart." After a brief pause, she gently passed the bundle in her arms to Harper, her gaze lingering on the little girl for just a moment longer. "Well, I think Aunt Harper deserves a hug too..."

Harper eagerly held out her arms, grinning widely as the baby was passed over to her, "Finally!"

She immediately cradled the baby with a tender and protective instinct, adjusting the baby's tiny body against her chest, the blanket soft and warm in her arms. Harper stood looking down at the little bundle, her expression completely soft and full of amazement.

"Oh my gosh, she's so… tiny." Harper stated, her voice barely a whisper, "She fits so perfectly in my arms."

The baby's eyes fluttered open for a moment, as if sensing the new presence, and Harper's heart melted. She gazed down at her sleepy, curious face, her little hands still curled into tiny fists. She turned to Alex and Mason, her eyes shining. "I am going to be the coolest aunt!"

"I wouldn't doubt it," Alex smirked, "Just don't expect her to be your personal dress-up doll…"

Harper whirled around to face Justin, "is Uncle Justin next in line for a turn?"

Justin glanced around, searching for reassurance, "Can I…? Is it okay?"

Alex raised an eyebrow, "wow scared much?" She teased.

"You're lucky you've only just given birth…" Justin joked.

As Harper passed over the baby to Justin, he held her delicately at first, afraid she might break in his arms. He looked down at her, his expression relaxing as he took in her perfect face. The baby stirred slightly in his arms, her eyes flickering open for a moment, and Justin froze. He was so cautious, so worried about doing something wrong, that he seemed almost stiff. But as the baby made a small, cooing noise and settled back into his arms, a wave of warmth flooded over him.

He let out a quiet breath and his grip loosened, though he was still weary. "Wow... she's... she's so small. Like, how do babies come out this small?"

Alex gave a chuckle, her heart warming with affection for her older brother.

"I'm an uncle. Wow. She's really here, after hiding in you for nearly nine months. Crazy…" He paused, lost in thought, as the realization suddenly struck him. "Am I doing okay?" He looked around for reassurance, "I just want to make sure I don't do something wrong."

"Don't worry, Justin. You're not going to break her." His dad joked, "But, you know, you might want to practice the whole 'rocking' thing a bit more."

Justin raised an eyebrow, a little embarrassed but also laughing at the idea. He suddenly became aware of his actions, roughly rocking the baby in his arms. "Right. I should start taking lessons, huh?"

With a playful glint in her eye, Harper spoke, "You know, Justin, I'm surprised you've not already given her a place at WizTech or something."

"I—I mean, I've thought about it." He laughed nervously, "And I've already got a few ideas for her first wizarding lessons..."

"If she's a wizard…"

Justin's gaze never left the little girl in his arms. His anxiety melting away as he became more comfortable in the role of Uncle Justin. "So, we know she's a Greyback. But does she have a first name yet? Have you both decided?"

Mason turned to Alex, his brow furrowing as a slight smile tugged at her lips. His expression, half-joking and half-serious, "We talked about this earlier," Mason said. The words coming out more like a playful complaint than a serious remark.

Alex shot him a sheepish grin. "But we didn't actually decide," she replied, her voice light with humor, though the weight of the decision was beginning to settle on her shoulders.

Harper leaned in with exaggerated curiosity, her hands clasped together as if she were about to unveil a grand revelation. "Oh, I love name debates!" She declared with a grin. "I think she looks like an Eloise—simple, but classy!"

Alex rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the smile that crept up on her face. "No, no. We've got a few names. But, uh... we can't decide."

From the corner of the room, Jerry chuckled, his voice rich with amusement. "No name? Oh dear, this'll be fun." He proclaimed crossing his arms over his chest, leaning back to watch.

"Jerry, it's a huge decision!" Theresa chimed in with a raised brow, turning to her husband, "It took us three days to pick Justin's name."

"Yeah, because you wanted to call him Pedro!"

Alex let out a sigh, she could always rely on her parents to bring some humor into the mix. Still, the pressure was starting to creep in. She glanced over at Justin, the baby still peacefully asleep in his arms, her tiny chest shifting with each soft snore. A wave of warmth spread through Alex as she watched them. "I mean, I still like the name Roxanne," she murmured softly, almost to herself, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Mason hesitated for a moment, then scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "Yeah, but then we started thinking about other names, and I think we should go with something... that's not Roxanne." A grin started to tug at his lips "I quite like the name Aurora or… Felicity," he said slowly, as if testing the waters.

Alex raised an eyebrow, "Felicity? That sounds like a character from a really bad fantasy novel with sparkly vampires!"

Mason looked at her defensive, "It's a beautiful name! Anyway, it's better than Roxy." He grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"Roxy sounds cool!"

Mason scoffed, "Roxy Greyback? She'll sound like she works at a strip club! Alex, I'm not naming our daughter that!"

Alex rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up. "Fine, fine. No Roxy. But I just don't think Felicity is the right vibe for her either." She looked to Mason, a thought forming. "What about Regan?" She asked tentatively, her voice betraying the hesitation she felt.

Mason's face twisted in mild horror. "Like... The Exorcist?" He asked pulling a disgusted face, as if the name itself had suddenly grown a set of demonic eyes.

Alex laughed at his reaction, her shoulders shaking with amusement. "I'll take that as a no then…"

Jerry, who had been watching the conversation unfold, finally stepped in with a chuckle. "You two are overthinking this. You've just got to go with your gut! I'm sure any name you choose will be perfect!"

Mason looked over at his daughter, wrapped comfortably in her uncle's arms, with a tender expression. "I think Neave is nice…"

Alex blinked, surprised. "Neave?" She echoed, "Where'd you get that from?"

Mason shrugged, "I've just heard it a few times, but I think it's quite pretty. It suits her..."

Theresa, peering down at the sleeping baby, leaned in with a smile. "It's a beautiful name," she said gently. "And it suits her perfectly…"

Alex hesitated, but as she looked at her daughter again, the name started to settle in her mind. "It does feel right…" She admitted.

Harper nodded eagerly, "I can totally see her growing into it. Neave Greyback has a nice ring to it." The room seemed to fall into a peaceful silence for a moment, as if everyone was allowing the name to settle.

Justin flashed a small smile at Alex, "Neave. I love it."

Her heart warmed at his words as she felt a swell of gratitude for her brother's support, and the last bit of tension lifted from her shoulders. A smile spread across her face and she then proclaimed, her voice now more certain, "Neave Roxanne Greyback. It's perfect."

Mason's eyes softened as he looked down at their daughter. "Yeah, it is. But if you're having Roxanne in there, then I'm adding Aurora too," he said with a playful grin. "Considering you think Felicity is so bad…"

A small laugh rippled through the group, but just as they were settling down, Neave started to stir in Justin's arms. Her tiny whimpering soon filling the room with a soft cry that grew gradually louder. Justin's eyes widened in panic, and he quickly passed the baby back to Alex.

"I think she wants something... is she okay?" He asked, his voice unsure as his hands hovering nervously over the baby.

Alex adjusted Neave carefully and started to gently rock her, though her movements were hesitant and unsteady. "She's fine, probably just hungry or something. You know, baby stuff…"

Each sway was accompanied by a soft, nervous hum, as if she were trying to reassure herself more than the infant.

Justin exhaled sharply in relief, but his face still conveyed concern. "You make it look so easy, Alex," he murmured.

A shy smile crept across her face, "I don't feel like I do… but thanks."

Theresa and Jerry smiled proudly, looking between their children. "It takes practice," Jerry told them quietly, there was a subtle lift in his posture, as though the smile had elevated not just his face, but his whole being. For a moment, the couple seemed to bask in the pride of the moment, the joy in their expression unmistakable and genuine.

Neave's cries began to soften as Alex gently cradled her, a contented expression settling over her face. The room felt quieter now, the hum of conversation replaced with the peaceful rhythm of a mother caring for her child. Jerry continued to watch the scene, his heart swelling with warmth.

He leaned in close to Alex, "Neave Roxanne Aurora Greyback. I have a feeling she'll grow into that name beautifully."

Alex's heart fluttered with a rush of love as she gazed at her daughter, "I still can't believe she's ours…"

The weight of the last few days slowly began to digest, the rush of emotions she'd been pushing aside—the exhaustion, the wonder, the overwhelming love—suddenly felt real, almost too much to bear. She reached out, gently touching Neave's little hand, marveling at how perfectly it fit inside her own. She had her whole life ahead of her, a life full of possibilities, and yet, in this moment, it felt like everything had already come full circle.

"Well sweetie." Her mother broke the peaceful silence with a warm laugh, "you've made it through the hardest part. Now you just have to survive the next eighteen years."

Alex laughed, the sound carrying a touch of irony. "Yeah, no pressure, right?"

Harper chimed in from across the room, her voice playful. "I think you've got this. You've handled saving the world… And almost ending it, raising a baby can't be that hard, right?"

"Well personally, I think she's going to be a handful," Justin teased.

Alex couldn't help but smile, "yeah… I have a bad feeling she could be my karma…"

Mason chuckled from beside her, "Karma? Oh god, should I be worried?" Mason said with a grin, nudging her shoulder affectionately.

Alex chuckled, leaning her head on to Mason's shoulder as she cradled Neave in her arms. The baby shifted, letting out a soft, sleepy sigh. She couldn't help but smile down at the tiny bundle, her fingers gently brushing over Neave's soft cheek.

Mason leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to the top of Alex's head, his presence a comforting weight beside her. She looked at Mason, then down at Neave, feeling the full force of the love. For the first time since Neave had been born, a deep, quiet certainty filled her—everything was going to be okay.