Page 34 of A Trident Christmas Baby

The sound hit him like a tidal wave, flooding his heart with emotions he couldn’t name—relief, joy, awe. It was all tangled together as tears blurred his vision.

“It’s a girl,” the doctor announced with a smile, gently placing the wriggling, crying newborn into Alex’s waiting arms.

Alex’s tears streamed freely as she cradled their daughter, her face radiant despite her exhaustion. She looked up at Ace, her eyes shining with love. “Look, Ace. We have a daughter,” she whispered.

Ace’s throat tightened as he gazed down at the tiny baby in Alex’s arms. She had a head full of dark hair and the most delicate little features. His heart felt like it might burst.

“She’s so beautiful,” he choked out, tears slipping down his cheeks. He leaned down, kissing Alex softly. “I love you so much, Alex. You’re incredible.”

Alex smiled up at him, her tears mixing with laughter. “We did it, Ace. She’s here.”

Ace reached out, gently brushing a finger against his daughter’s tiny hand. She gripped it reflexively, and he let out a soft laugh. “I can’t believe this,” he murmured. “Our little girl.”

Alex shifted the baby slightly so Ace could cradle her, and as he held her for the first time, the weight of the moment hit him fully. This was his family. Alex and this little baby girl were his world.

“She’s got your strength already,” he said, looking back at Alex.

“And your stubbornness,” Alex teased, her smile widening.

Ace laughed, his heart fuller than it had ever been.

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.”

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