I looked over at my brother, who was sitting in a purple chair, holding Carrie like a pro, like he had been holding babies all his life. He was whispering softly to her, and my lips quivered as I took in the tender way my big, masculine brother was looking at his new pink-bundled niece. I reached over and touched her tiny pinky finger.

“I have a feeling,” I said, “that you might just be wrapped tightly around this tiny little finger right here, bro.”

His moist eyes met mine, and his wavery smile told me he was on the verge of tears. “You’re damn right I am.” My brother’s eyes closed, and his lips fell so gently on Carrie’s forehead that I felt it all the way to my heart.

The tender moment was broken when there was a tentative knock on the door, and Evan went to answer it. The SEAL guys filed in quietly, more subdued than I’d ever seen them, and Cam handed me a bag that smelled like greasy heaven. He pulled the tray across my bed, and I began devouring the burger and fries as the guys washed their hands before passing Carrie around.

Tank was the cutest of all. He held my baby in one giant paw and cooed at her in his deep, gruff voice, “Who is the prettiest little girl? Hmmm? It’s Uncle Tank’s baby girl. Yes, it is. She is just precious.” Everyone in the room stared at him in awe as he bounced her softly, and she went immediately to sleep. I had a feeling I would be calling Tank over quite frequently in the near future.

Bode was literally hopping from foot to foot, waiting impatiently for his turn. He sat on the couch, and Tank finally relinquished Carrie to him. Drawing a heart around the outside of her face with his finger, he whispered, “I’m your Uncle Bode, Carrie. I’m the pretty one of the bunch.”

Cam coughed, “Bullshit,” into his fist, earning him chuckles from the rest of the guys.

Bode looked back down and gasped, and Beau flew across the room, looking ready to tear apart the entire hospital if something was wrong with his infant niece. “She opened her eyes!” Bode exclaimed. “She’s like, a very advanced baby. That usually takes a couple of weeks or something, doesn’t it, Blaire?”

“For fuck’s sake, Bode,” Beau growled, stomping back to his chair. “She’s not a goddamn puppy.” I had just taken a drink of soda, and I snorted, causing the drink to spew from my nose. Evan handed me a wad of tissues, and I blew my nose.

“I’m so glad all of you are here,” I said after I was done coughing. “You’re going to rock this uncle thing.”

“Hell yeah, we are,” Tank said.