Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Walker
Hey, team. You'll see the official email come through Chavez later today, but I’m officially on paternity leave as of this morning.
Walker
[Photo of Eloise grinning, sitting on Vivian’s hospital bed holding two newborns wrapped in blue blankets, one with a navy hat and one with a light blue hat, with help from her mama’s arms]
Christine
They're here?!
Walker
Viv went into labor last night and was incredible. Both babies and mama are doing well.
Tara
Yay! Congratulations, Walker!
Kelly
Amazing! Congrats, boss!
Me
Look at how proud big sister is! Congratulations! Please give my best to Vivian as well. Are you sharing names?
Walker
Our son in the navy hat arrived first at 3:45 AM. 6lbs 8oz and 20 inches long. Meet Henry Walker Bennett IV. He will go by Henry, like my granddad did. And twenty-two minutes after his big brother, our son in the light blue hat arrived. 6lbs 5oz and 21 inches long. Meet Davis Callahan Bennett.
Christine
Please let me know if you need anything. I can drive out to Forrest Falls or coordinate anything from here!
Me
So happy for you, Walker. They're perfect.
Walker
The official email will also let you guys know that while I'm on leave, Harlow will be Acting Task Force Lead.
Kelly
Was that not official already? I just assumed!
Tara
Doesn't really feel like an announcement either. Plus, the babies already stole the show.
Me
It was not official and this is an announcement to all of us.
Walker
Sorry, Harlow. I know you'd put up a fight, but now I have babies so you can't. I'm still available to you guys by text or phone.
Christine
No, you aren't. You are on paternity leave and we will be respecting that line, sir.
Kelly
Hear, hear!
Mason
I take one quick shower and family trees change, leadership gets reassigned.
Mason
Oh, and congrats, Walker!
Walker
Thanks everyone. We'll schedule a time for you all to meet them in the next month or two. But consider me offline in all official capacities unless something extremely significant pulls me in.
Me
We've got it covered, sir.