CHAPTER TWELVE
Alex leaned back against the hospital bed, her body exhausted yet her heart impossibly full. In her arms lay their baby girl, freshly cleaned, swaddled in a soft pink blanket, and already fast asleep. The tiny newborn’s peaceful expression was enough to make Alex’s heart ache with love.
Ace sat beside her on the bed, one arm draped protectively around Alex while the other gently rested on the baby’s back. His eyes were locked on their daughter, and his usual tough-as-nails demeanor completely softened. The admiration and tenderness in his gaze made Alex’s chest tighten.
“She’s perfect,” Alex whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft hum of the machines in the room.
Ace nodded, his thumb tracing light circles on the baby’s back. “She’s got her mama’s beauty,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.
Alex laughed softly, her eyes misting over. “You’re just saying that because you’re sleep-deprived.”
“Not even a little,” Ace said with a grin, turning to look at her. His blue eyes were shining, and the raw love in them nearly undid her. “Alex, I…” He paused, his voice catching. “I can’t thank the heavens enough for you. For this. For her.”
Alex tilted her head, her heart swelling.
Ace continued, his hand gently brushing over the baby’s dark hair. “I mean it. If we hadn’t met that day in the chow hall in Afghanistan...” He trailed off, shaking his head like he couldn’t bear to think about a life without her. “That was the best day of my life, Alex. Until now.”
A tear slipped down Alex’s cheek as Ace leaned in and kissed her softly, his lips warm and reassuring against hers. He pulled back just enough to press a kiss to their daughter’s tiny forehead, his large hand cradling her head with infinite care.
The sight melted Alex’s heart. She thought it might actually stop beating for a moment, overwhelmed by how much she loved both of them.
“I love you, Ace,” she murmured. “I love you both so much.”
Ace rested his forehead against hers. “And I love you, sweetheart. More than anything.”
For a while, they just sat there, wrapped in a cocoon of love and warmth as they admired their little miracle.
Finally, Alex glanced up at him, a soft smile playing on her lips. “We need to decide on a name,” she said, breaking the tender silence. Her voice was thick with emotion, and she turned her gaze to Ace. “We can’t keep calling her ‘baby girl.’”
Ace leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing playfully as he studied their daughter. “Hmm. She looks like a fighter already. Maybe we should name her something fierce.”
Alex laughed, and the sound was light and joyful. “What, like Valkyrie or Athena?”
“Hey, Athena’s not bad,” Ace teased, his grin widening.
Alex shook her head, amused. “I was thinking something a little softer. A little sweeter. She’s fierce, sure, but look at her. She’s also the most precious thing I’ve ever seen.”
Ace tilted his head, his gaze returning to the baby. After a moment, he nodded. “You’re right. She deserves a name that fits all sides of her.” He stroked the baby’s cheek with his thumb. “I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks.” He paused, his jaw tightening slightly as if he were gathering his courage. “What about Jacqueline?”
Alex blinked, her breath hitching. She wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. “Jacqueline?” she repeated. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Ace nodded. His gaze was steady but filled with warmth. “In honor of your dad. I know you’ve always said he was your hero, and I just think it’s fitting. She deserves a name that carries that kind of strength and legacy.”
Alex’s lips quivered as tears filled her emerald-green eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her emotions in check, but it was impossible. A tear slipped down her cheek as she looked down at her baby, then back up at Ace.
“I think it’s perfect,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Absolutely perfect.”
Ace reached out, brushing the tear from her cheek, his touch tender and grounding.
Alex sniffled and smiled through her tears. “What about her middle name? What if we named her Jacqueline Jordan?”
Ace tilted his head, surprise flickering across his face. “Jordan?”
Alex nodded. “After your dad. That way, she’ll carry a piece of both of her grandfathers with her. What do you think?”
Ace’s throat worked as he tried to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “I think...I think it’s perfect, Alex. Jacqueline Jordan.”
His voice was rough with emotion, and Alex watched as a single tear slipped down his cheek. Without hesitation, she reached up and gently wiped it away with her thumb, her heart aching with love for the man who had given her this beautiful family.
“She’s going to grow up knowing just how much she’s loved,” Alex said, her voice steady now, even as her heart felt like it might burst. “By both of us and by the people who inspired her name.”
Ace leaned down and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment. When he pulled back, he smiled, though his voice still carried the weight of his emotions. “Jacqueline Jordan Chambers. It’s perfect. And you know what? JJ has a nice ring to it.”
Alex laughed softly, relief and joy mingling in her chest. “JJ,” she repeated, looking down at their sleeping daughter. “I love it. Our little JJ.”
Ace leaned in, brushing another kiss against Alex’s temple. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
Alex laughed softly, her cheeks warming. “I think you’ve said that a hundred times today.”
“Not nearly enough,” Ace murmured.
As JJ stirred slightly in her blanket, Alex and Ace both held their breath. But their little girl only let out a soft sigh before settling back into her peaceful sleep.
Alex looked up at Ace, her heart so full it felt like it might burst. “She’s ours,” she whispered.
“She’s ours,” Ace echoed, his voice filled with awe.
Together, they sat in the quiet hospital room, and their family of three was finally complete.
In that quiet, tender moment, the world outside the hospital room faded away. It was just the three of them—Ace, Alex, and their little JJ—bound together by love, legacy, and the promise of a bright future.
◆◆◆
Ace leaned back against the hospital bed, a contented smile on his face. He gazed at Alex as she cradled their newborn daughter. The name they had chosen, Jacqueline Jordan, was perfect. It was a name filled with love and legacy. Alex’s fingers brushed gently against the baby’s tiny cheek as Jacqueline slept peacefully, her small lips pursed in an innocent pout.
Ace’s reverie was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. He turned just as it cracked open, and Derek’s head popped inside.
“Hey,” Derek said softly, his gruff voice tinged with an unusual gentleness.
Alex looked up and smiled warmly. “D! Get in here,” she said, waving him over. “Would you like to meet your granddaughter?”
Derek hesitated for a moment, his usually confident demeanor giving way to something softer. Ace stood, careful not to jostle the bed, and leaned down to lift Jacqueline from Alex’s arms gently.
“Meet your granddaughter,” Ace said, stepping closer to Derek. “Jacqueline Jordan.”
Derek’s sharp hazel eyes flicked to Alex as if seeking confirmation. “Jacqueline... after your dad?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion.
Alex nodded, her emerald eyes shimmering. “And Jordan, after Ace’s dad. We wanted her to carry a part of both of them.”
Derek exhaled sharply, his lips pressing together as he reached out to take the tiny bundle from Ace. For a moment, he simply held her, staring down at her as though trying to memorize every detail. Or he was trying to suppress his emotions before trying to speak.
“She’s beautiful,” Derek said, his voice cracking slightly. His finger traced along Jacqueline’s tiny hand, which instinctively wrapped around it. “You’ve got a legacy behind you, little one.”
Ace sat back down on the bed beside Alex, wrapping his arm around her as they watched Derek rock Jacqueline gently. His typically stoic face softened, and for a moment, Ace thought he saw the glimmer of a tear.
After a few minutes, Derek carefully handed Jacqueline back to Ace. “You two did good,” he said, clearing his throat. “She’s perfect.”
Ace smiled, settling Jacqueline into the crook of his arm. “Thanks, Derek.”
Derek lingered a moment before turning back to the door. “The others are getting restless. They want to know if they can come in,” he said, his tone almost sheepish.
Alex and Ace exchanged a look, both smiling. “Of course,” Alex said, her voice warm.
Derek walked over to the door, but before he could open it, the door pushed open, and Tenley walked in first.
“We heard,” she said, a smile gracing her lips.
The door opened wider, and the rest of the team filed in, their wives trailing behind them. The room instantly filled with chatter and laughter as everyone crowded around the bed, congratulating Alex and Ace and cooing over the baby.
“Look at that head of hair!” Autumn exclaimed, grinning.
“She’s got your nose, Alex,” someone teased, earning a chorus of chuckles.
“Yeah, but look at those blue eyes,” Bailey stated. “Clearly, those came from Ace.”
Potter smirked at Ace. “You’re in for it now, buddy. Midnight feedings and diaper blowouts.”
“Yeah, and just wait till she can talk,” Irish chimed in, a huge grin on his face.
Ace laughed, shaking his head. “As long as she doesn’t spend too much time with Sienna, we should be good,” he teased, knowing that Sienna was a handful and had no filter on her mouth.
“Speaking of Sienna. Who is watching all the kids?” Alex asked, looking around.
“Juliette is with them at Tenley’s house. She said she’ll stop by tomorrow morning.”
Ace was still grinning when another knock sounded at the door. Before he could respond, a little blonde head poked through the crack, bright blue eyes peering curiously inside.
Ace immediately recognized Twinkles and groaned inwardly. In the chaos, he’d forgotten entirely about the elves and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Twinkle’s wide grin grew as she caught sight of him, and she waved excitedly.
Alex immediately noticed the stranger, and she looked up at Ace. He didn’t miss the amusement in her green eyes. “Friend of yours,” she asked with one of her eyebrows arched.
Ace rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. He knew they all were never going to live this down.
“So, remember how I said I’d do whatever it took to get home.”
Alex’s brow rose higher. “Yeah.”
“Well, I might’ve promised some helpers that they could meet the baby,” he admitted, avoiding her gaze.
“Helpers?” she repeated, her voice laced with suspicion but also laughter.
Before Ace could elaborate, Twinkles pushed the door open wider, revealing the rest of the gang.
The sight of the jolly group cramming into the already crowded hospital room made Alex burst out laughing. “Oh my God. I cannot wait to hear about this adventure you all had,” she whispered to Ace.
“Like I said, I did whatever was needed,” Ace said with a grin, motioning for the group to come closer.
“Alex, I would like to introduce you to Twinkles, Sparky, Skippy, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
Ace could see how Alex was trying to hold back her laughter as she smiled at the newcomers.
“Hi! It’s so nice to meet you all,” she greeted them.
Twinkles practically bounced over to the bed, her eyes wide as she gazed at Jacqueline. “She’s so tiny!”
Santa chuckled, his belly shaking. “A Christmas miracle, indeed. Congratulations, you two.”
Mrs. Claus stepped forward, clasping Alex’s hand warmly. “She’s beautiful, dear. And so lucky to have parents like you.”
Alex smiled. Her heart was full. “Thank you. And thank you all for helping Ace get here in time. I don’t know what I would’ve done without him.”
The group spent a few minutes fawning over Jacqueline, their infectious smiles filling the room. Alex couldn’t stop smiling, her cheeks aching from the constant laughter, especially when Twinkles started snapping selfies with the baby.
As the clock struck midnight, Santa proudly announced, “Merry Christmas!”
Ace leaned back against the bed, his arm securely around Alex. He looked around the room, taking in the sight of their friends, family, and the unexpected but welcomed holiday guests.
This was it. This was best Christmas of his life.
He turned to Alex, his heart swelling as he watched her cradle their daughter, her laughter softening into a tender smile.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her.
“Merry Christmas, Ace,” she replied, her voice full of love.