Since Diapers

Chap 12 (Baby Strand)

TK's POV

CJ and I are officially halfway through baby week. I walked into work with a smile on my face. "Hey guys," I stated.

"Someone's excited so become a dad," Tommy smiled. "How's CJ doing?"

"Still hobbling around," CJ replied as she walked in. "Whew, I need to catch my breath."

"I thought you'd have better lungs, considering all the bad guys you chased," Tommy smiled. CJ looked at her. "I'm just kidding. So, names?"

"We're not telling her name until she's born," I replied. "Which is in a couple days now."

"Tommy can know," CJ smiled. "We're naming her Evangeline Rosetta Strand."

"That's a beautiful name," Nancy smiled.

"Thank you," I replied. "I came up with Rosetta."

"And he's very happy about it," CJ stated.

"Honey, your baby might be coming now," Tommy stated.

"What?" CJ asked.

"Your water just broke," I replied, noticing the puddle on the floor.

"Let's get her in the ambo," Tommy nodded. "Fire, clean up in the locker room."

"Baby bag," CJ pointed. "Back seat."

"I'll grab it," I nodded. I grabbed the bag and jumped into the ambo. Nancy was driving. "You're doing great, baby."

"TK, you wanna check how dilated your wife is?" Tommy asked.

"I get to deliver my own baby?" I asked.

"If we don't get me to me hospital fast enough," CJ sighed. She continued doing her breathing exercises. "TK, I think she's coming."

"Okay," I sighed. I got her undergarment off and took a look. "Baby's crowning!"

"Alright, CJ, honey," Tommy nodded. "You're gonna have to push, okay?"

"No, I can't," CJ nodded. "I had a c-section for my last baby."

"Honey, the baby is crowning, you're gonna be okay," Tommy replied.

"Оkay," I nodded. "Оkay." We got to the hospital after CJ got her 2nd push out. "Is she here yet?"

"One more big push," I replied as the doors to the ambo opened. "Come on."

"You got this, CJ," Tommy stated.

"Okay, baby," I looked at her. "And push!" CJ screamed and Evangeline was born. "She's here, baby."

"We got it from here," the doctor stated.

"Оkay," I nodded. The hospital staff took my wife and baby. I watched. "She's gonna be okay, right?"

"Call your dad," Tommy replied. "We're gonna head back to the house. You're gonna stay here."

"Оkay," I replied. I grabbed the baby bag and walked in. I walked up to the nurses station. "Hey, I'm TK Strand. My wife and baby were brought in just a while ago. I was wondering where I can find them."

"Yes, for CJ Strand," the nurse smiled. "Room 285."

"Thank you," I replied. I went to her room and walked in. She smiled when she saw me. "Hey." I walked to her bedside and sat down on the bed. I held her hand. "You're okay."

"This time around, with you," CJ smiled. A nurse brought Evangeline in her bed. I smiled. "They gave me some skin to skin time with her when we were brought in." She squeezed my hand and I looked at her. "Is something on your mind?"

"No," I nodded. "Everything is perfect."

"Babe, I can't promise a perfect life, but every single night looking in your eyes, I can promise you that I'll be loving you, every part of you, even when the good goes bad. I'll always put you first, just like you deserve. No matter what's up ahead, I'll prove it again and again. I can't give everything but I'll give all that I have, I can promise you that," CJ looked at me. "I love you, TK. I'm gonna admit that I'm not the easiest girl to love. I have a habit of overthinking. I tend to overreact and I get a little insecure once in a while. I'll be needy for your attention. I'll want to literally take up all of your time and I'll require a lot of reassurance."

"Baby, baby, baby," I stated, stopping her. "If you can't give your full 100%, I'm here to pick up. You gave give 40, and I'll do 60. If I only give 40, I know you'll pick up the 60." CJ smiled and I gave her a kiss on the cheek. "You're perfect to me." After a couple days, CJ and Evangeline were released from the hospital. We went home. I was on paternity leave for a month. CJ had 90 days. The three months passed. I had gotten home and CJ smiled at me. "Something good happen?"

"I am a notary public for the State of Texas, County of Travis," CJ smiled.

"So, on top being an FBI Agent, you're also a notary?" I asked. CJ nodded. "Really?"

"I just got my stamp."

"Okay, are you going to charge for it?"

"If it's for the agency, I'll do it for free as a courtesy. Now, if I get stopped, I will charge $5 a signature."

"Okay," I smiled. Another 4 months has passed for us. Evangeline (Eva) was growing and she was healthy. CJ had came to the firehouse with Eva. "Oh, my beautiful girls are here."

"Hey, babe," CJ smiled as she gave me a kiss. "I thought Eva should see where her Dad works."

"Oh, wow," Tommy smiled as she looked at Eva. "She has your eyes, TK."

"I know," I smiled. "She is my daughter." I picked her up from her stroller. "Hi, Eva."

"Mama," Eva cooed.

"Her first words," CJ pointed. "Oh my gosh."

"How about Dada?" I asked. She went quiet. "We'll work on it."

"CJ," Dad walked in.

"I brought your granddaughter," I smiled.

"I see that," Dad smiled. "Hi. Eva."

"Were you looking for me?" CJ asked.

"There's a woman upstairs asking for you," Dad replied. "Said you knew her situation."

"Tell her to not come here since this isn't my place of business," CJ nodded.

"She can call, make an appointment," I replied as I handed Dad one of CJ's business cards. "Right now, it's family time."