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"Are you sure this is still okay, mom? We can always head out another time."
Ellie Sattler shook her head, smiling at her son. "You will go out tonight, Charlie. My daughter-in-law deserves a night out on the town - don't you dare take that away from her now."
Charlie held his hands up in defeat, then gestured over his shoulder towards the living room. "I'm only asking because he looks like he's about to pass out. Or worse - have a heart attack. You know, you've got to be more careful with him, mom. He's an old guy now."
"Hey! Don't be cheeky - you're never too big to be spanked." She warned but was unable to hold back her laughter. "He will be fine. He's just a bit-"
"Terrified?"
"I'd say 'terrified' is a strong word."
"Didn't he face down a t-rex? Did he do so with that look on his face?"
"I wasn't there, Charlie. I wouldn't know. But," Ellie hesitated. "Okay, maybe he is terrified. But he will be fine - he will warm up to her in no time."
"Or you'll kill him trying?"
Ellie swatted her son across the shoulder. He may be several inches taller than her, but she could still put him in his place. "I haven't killed him yet, and trust me when I say that I've put that old heart of his to the test."
"Oh God, mom!" Ellie laughed as her son covered his ears as though he could somehow un-hear what she had said. "I didn't need to think about that. I never need to think about that."
"It happens, honey - I'm not a nun."
"No! La, la, la, la." Charlie walked away further into the kitchen, loudly talking to himself while Ellie laughed. She let him stew for a few seconds before grabbing his arm.
"All right, enough messing around. You have a date, and I have to go and rescue my husband."
Ellie pushed Charlie towards the front door with both of her hands on his back. "I'm going, mom, I'm going! Goodbye, Alan!"
They both waited for a response, but seconds ticked by with no sound from the living room. Mother and son shared a look before Ellie shook her head, sighing softly. "He's fine, I promise. Now go."
"All right. Love you, mom. I'll see you in the morning. And thank you again." Charlie pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and disappeared out the door. Ellie watched through the window as her son got in his car and left the drive, disappearing into the neighbourhood.
It was only a short walk to the living room, where not fifteen minutes ago, Charlie had dropped off the bassinet and its tiny occupant - her first grandchild. Little Sophie was four months old, and Ellie had agreed to babysit so that her son and daughter-in-law could have their first night out in months. However, she would not be babysitting alone.
In the few years since their reunion, Alan had taken on the role of stepfather with incredible ease. Her children were already adults, and both had been delighted to see their mother so happy. In turn, Alan had warmed up to them almost instantly. The kids were the best man and maid of honour at their wedding. Her family had finally come together - Alan even got on well with Mark on the rare occasion he would visit. Things couldn't have been better.
And then, they did get better.
Charlie had met a girl; he fell in love and got married. Within a year, the young couple announced they were expecting their first child, and Ellie was delighted. She had missed having young children in the house and couldn't wait to spoil her future grandkids.
Alan had been less enthused.
Old fears surged to the surface, and she briefly feared he might withdraw from her again. But he had been right there through it all, spending the night in the waiting room with the rest of the family when Sophie was born, toasting the baby's birth with his stepson. However, this was the first time he faced the reality of a baby relying on him. And she had gone and left him alone with the child for several minutes.
The bassinet sat on the couch nearest the low fireplace, and her husband stood before it. He was in the same position as when she had left - still looking down at the tiny sleeping form nestled within. He was so still that she couldn't be sure he had even taken a breath in that time. Only a twitch of his hand betrayed the fact that he wasn't a statue.
"She won't bite, you know." Ellie was sure that he jumped, but she didn't comment. She stepped up beside him, wrapping one arm around his waist.
"Of course not, El. She doesn't have any teeth."
She rolled her eyes, nudging his side. He didn't tear his gaze from the sleeping baby. "Yes, thank you for that observation, Dr Grant."
He didn't respond to her teasing, and silence quickly settled over the couple. Ellie spent several long moments watching her granddaughter before she turned her gaze on Alan. He watched the baby like a hawk as though she might leap up and do something at any moment. Those pale blue eyes were wide and fixed, and she could see the wheels turning in his head.
"She isn't a raptor, Alan. You don't need to be afraid of her."
"I'm not afraid of her." He muttered hoarsely, his tone making her pause. Suddenly, she realised what he meant, what had been bothering him since meeting the baby.
"You're afraid for her." She whispered.
Alan only nodded, still not looking away from little Sophie, not until Ellie cupped his cheek and forced him to turn his head. "Honey, you don't need to be afraid at all."
"Yes, I do. Sophie is so small and delicate. What if I hurt her by mistake? What if I drop her, or hold her wrong, or-"
Ellie pressed a finger against his lips, halting him mid-word.
"Alan Grant." His gaze was now firmly fixed on her. "Stop it right now. I have seen you excavate bones nobody else would dare touch for fear they would turn to dust. I was there when you cradled a newborn velociraptor in your hands like it was the most delicate thing on earth. You won't hurt her."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know you, honey." She took one of his hands between hers, stroking over the strong fingers. "Won't you hold your granddaughter?"
Ellie could see something in Alan's demeanour shift. They had joked from the beginning that the girl would have three grandparents on her father's side, but it had never seemed to settle well with Alan. Until that moment.
He let out a shaky breath.
"Show me how?"
Her heart ached at how tentative and unsure he sounded. But he was willing to try, and she briefly touched his cheek. She nodded and moved to the bassinet.
Little Sophie had woken up at some point and was happily trying to shove her foot in her mouth. Ellie laughed and gently pulled the limb away, scooping up the girl before she had a chance to try again.
"Hands here and here," She instructed gently, holding the baby out for Alan to take. "And hold her against your chest. She's starting to hold her head up, so you don't have to panic about her neck. Just hold her close, and she will be happy, I promise."
His hands were trembling when she passed over the baby, but he followed her instructions to the letter. Alan cradled the little girl against his chest, tucking her into the crook of his arm. She looked so tiny in his arms, and Ellie felt regret pulling at her insides - the kind of regret she hadn't felt in years. Longing for a life they could have had.
Alan let out a breathy laugh when he realised what he was doing. He was holding a baby for the first time in his life, and it was his granddaughter . He carefully ran a finger over one chubby cheek. Ellie watched with a warm smile.
"She's so soft," He marvelled. "Oh!"
Sophie had reached up and wrapped her tiny hand around his finger. For a moment, he was frozen in place, his shoulders stiff. Ellie was about to reassure him that the baby was only getting to grips with her world when Alan surprised her again, using his thumb to stroke over the baby's fingers.
"Okay, maybe I can see the appeal." He laughed, and the smile he turned on her was breathtaking.
"Why, Alan Grant, you look like you might be in love."
Alan shook his head and returned his gaze to the little girl still holding his finger. "I don't know. She is certainly beautiful."
"She is." Ellie agreed as she stepped closer, resting her head against Alan's shoulder. She could see Sophie gazing up at him, blue eyes meeting blue. She then gurgled happily and reached up to him with her free hand. "I think she likes you, honey."
"Don't be silly."
Sophie rapidly grew bored of being ignored and grabbed at Alan's shirt instead. Her little hand slapped at the material a couple of times before she reached up to him again, gurgling and smiling. Ellie immediately noticed the huge smile spreading across his face.
"Hello, little one." His voice was low and warm, and Ellie felt tears stinging her eyes. "I'm your grandpa."
She didn't try to fight the tears that spilt down her cheeks. For many years, Ellie had grieved the loss of their relationship and her dream future. She had been happy with Mark and loved their kids to death, but she had always wanted to have that life with Alan. Children had never been on the cards between them. But seeing him now, with their granddaughter in his arms, loving the girl as much as if she were his blood - she felt like her heart might explode with love.
Suddenly she felt Alan's arm slip around her waist as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Glancing down, she realised that Sophie was beginning to doze off again and had let go of her new toy.
"You okay?" His warm voice was close to her ear. She managed a slight nod of her head before wiping away her tears.
"I'm just happy. Very happy."
Alan placed another kiss against her temple before he pulled away. He very carefully lowered the now-sleeping baby back into her bassinet. He turned back to Ellie and gently cupped her cheeks with both hands. "You sure?"
"Positive." Her arms slipped around his neck, pulling him down for a gentle kiss. "I love you."
"I love you, too." He kissed her again, drawing out the contact.
"Mm, enough of that. It's time for dinner." She grinned, gently pushing him away by his bearded chin.
Over the next few hours, Alan continued to surprise her. He learned how to feed Sophie her bottle, burp her correctly, and even change her diaper. He was becoming so confident with the little girl that he insisted Ellie could leave the two of them alone for a while to work on her latest book. Her original plan had been to work on the latest edits when Charlie had called them up, hoping they would babysit for him. Alan knew just how much she wanted to get that work done.
So she had left them to it; Sophie asleep in the bassinet and Alan in his favourite chair with his current book and a glass of wine. She hadn't meant to leave them alone for too long - just a half hour, maybe a little more. Before she knew it, an hour had passed without a sound from downstairs. Swearing under her breath, Ellie turned off the computer and padded downstairs
The sight that greeted her stole any apologies on her tongue, not to mention her breath.
Alan had fallen asleep in his armchair, his feet propped up on the small footstool. One hand loosely held onto the book that had slipped down his leg whilst the other rested firmly on the rump of a sleeping infant. Sophie - sleeping just as soundly as the man she had made her bed. They were pure perfection, and Ellie needed a minute to gather herself again.
Then she grabbed her cell phone and snapped a few pictures.
A glance around the room confirmed that Alan didn't have his phone on him, so she was able to send the picture to their family group chat without waking him. Grinning, she sent one of the pictures with the caption 'Fast friends'.
Her daughter immediately replied with a series of love hearts before texting back. 'Awww, Alan! That's so adorable.'
It took Charlie a little longer to reply, but his reply made her smile no less. 'Well done, dinosaur man. He can't resist the Sattler women.'
It might have taken thirty years to get Alan Grant to cuddle up with a baby in his arms, but it was definitely worth the wait.