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Shuffling out of the bedroom he shares with his wife, Mac quickly peeks into Ellie’s room, thankfully finding the toddler still fast asleep in her big girl bed, and then keeps heading down the hall toward the kitchen. A yawn escapes as he goes, reminding him that he’d barely gotten any sleep last night because Riley kept tossing and turning throughout the night, constantly disturbing his sleep. He can’t exactly blame her, though, considering she’s several days past her due date.
It’s been rough, to say the very least, but they’ve been doing their best to manage. It helps to have Jack and Diane so willing to look after Ellie most days and nights for them, taking some of the stress off. Because the less stress that’s put on Riley in the final stretch of this pregnancy, the better.
Halfway through making breakfast, Mac’s attention is drawn by the telltale sound of small feet padding against the hardwood floor. A smile tugs at his lips as he glances over his shoulder to see Ellie slowly making her way toward him, her favorite stuffed animal clutched tightly in her hand.
“Well good morning, Miss Ellie.”
“Hi, daddy.” She stops directly in front of him and holds her arms up.
Mac just chuckles quietly at the sight of his daughter, her pajamas rumpled and hair messy from sleep, not quite fully awake yet if the look on her face is anything to go by. He stoops down just enough to lift her into his arms, settling her on his hip and pressing a kiss to her temple. His heart swells just a bit when she rests her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes.
“‘M sleepy,” she mumbles.
“Well then maybe you should go back to your bed,” he suggests.
She shakes her head. “No. ‘M sleep here.”
“Okay. I’ll wake you up when breakfast is ready.” He presses another kiss to her temple and then turns back to the stove to keep cooking. Thankfully his cooking skills have greatly improved over the years, though he does still burn stuff on occasion, something that Riley still loves to tease him about whenever it happens.
Moving effortlessly around the kitchen with a kid on his hip, Mac finishes putting breakfast together using just one hand. Their little girl is very much a cuddler, so he and Riley have had to learn over the last three years how to do many things with just one hand available to use. And they’ve done a pretty good job, he thinks.
Once he’s finished making breakfast, Mac gently jostles his daughter, rubbing one hand up and down her back and brushing some of her wild curls out of her face. “Ellie, time to wake up now.”
Ellie groans, curling further against him and pushing her face deeper into his neck. “No.”
“Yes,” he insists gently. “It’s time to eat breakfast. Unless you don’t want to spend the day with Nana and Grandpa Jack, then I guess you don’t need to eat breakfast…”
Ellie gasps and sits up quickly, her eyes opening and going wide. “I’m hungry.”
Mac chuckles. “That’s what I thought. Do you want to set the table or go check on mom and baby sister?”
Ellie grins. “Imma check on mommy.”
“Okay. Just be gentle,” he reminds his daughter as he sets her down on the floor.
Ellie nods with a determined expression on her face that makes her look so much like Riley. “Imma be gentle, daddy.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” He watches with a smile as Ellie turns and pads down the hallway toward his and Riley’s bedroom, waiting until she disappears from his view to focus his attention back on breakfast.
He smiles a little when he hears Ellie’s excited chatter and infectious laughter drifting through the hallway. He has no idea what is actually going on between his wife and daughter, but he’s sure they’re enjoying a quiet moment to themselves. For as much as Ellie is a daddy’s girl, she definitely loves her mom a whole lot and will take any opportunity to cuddle with her. Chances are high that it’ll be a tough transition for her once the baby arrives. He’s praying they get lucky.
Moments after he’s finished carrying everything into the living room, he hears footsteps and looks up to see Riley and Ellie shuffling into the room.
“Daddy, I got mommy,” Ellie states proudly, holding onto the hem of Riley’s sleep shirt.
Mac smiles. “I can see that. Should we eat, then?” He grabs Ellie under the arms to swing her up and make her giggle, then peppers kisses all over her face and sets her down on the small pile of cushions on one side of the coffee table. He pushes her plate of food closer to her and then turns around to look at his wife.
Riley’s already moving across the floor to the couch, one hand resting on her lower back and the other cradling her belly. “I’ll eat, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to get back up again once I sit down.”
Mac smiles as he helps her lower herself onto the couch. “Then I guess it’ll just be a lazy day in for us, then.” He drops a kiss to her forehead and then sits next to her, piling both of their plates with food and then passing Riley hers. He grabs his own plate and leans back into the couch to eat, content to listen to his daughter talk animatedly while she eats, telling them about whatever dream she had last night that’s full of so many twists and turns and crazy creatures, even if they can’t quite decipher her words some of the time. But it’s still fun, still enjoyable, even if Mac grows more concerned every time Riley winces and shifts on the couch.
Once breakfast is over, Mac enlists Ellie’s help to clean up the coffee table and then leads her back to her bedroom so she can get dressed for the day ahead. He packs a bag for her while she gets herself dressed, ever the independent little girl, and then shoots off a quick text to Diane letting her know to stop by whenever. He knows Ellie will want some more time to cuddle with Riley before she leaves to spend the day with Jack and Diane.
There’s a small part of him that feels bad for consistently shuffling Ellie between her grandparents and aunts and uncles the last couple of weeks, but he knows it’s a lot easier on all of them. Ellie gets to spend one on one time with the people she loves and be completely doted on, and he and Riley get to spend some quiet time together in preparation of the new baby arriving. It’s exactly what they all need.
Once Ellie is fully dressed, Mac follows her out of her bedroom and back to the living room, carrying her small duffel bag in one hand and her backpack in the other. He can’t keep the smile off of his face at the way Ellie skips across the hardwood floor in her socks, mumbling quietly to herself while waving her stuffed dog in the air. He’ll never get over her being this small and excited about everything. Especially with the way she looks cuddled up next to Riley, one arm draped over the pregnant belly and her head on Riley’s chest.
The moment ends, though, when there’s a knock at the front door and Ellie’s head shoots up excitedly as she gasps.
“Nana.”
“Well why don’t we go see?” Mac suggests, holding out a hand to his daughter. He grips her hand firmly and lets her pull him along to the door, not wanting her to open it by herself just in case it isn’t Diane. Ellie is only three, after all.
Mac grabs the door handle before Ellie can and pulls it open, laughing when his daughter lets out a squeal of excitement and rips her small hand out of his. He leans his shoulder against the door frame and watches as grandmother and granddaughter greet each other with hugs and kisses.
“Hey, Diane,” he greets his mother-in-law when Ellie finally calms down a bit and simply curls up in her grandmother’s arms.
Diane smiles at him. “Hi. How’s Riley doing?”
“I think it’s safe to say she’s frustrated that the baby isn’t here yet. She was due three days ago but the doctor said they aren’t going to induce her just yet. It could still happen on its own within a couple of days.”
“Well, for both your sakes I hope it happens soon.”
Mac lets out a breath. “Me too. Do you wanna come in and see her real quick?”
Diane shakes her head, hiking Ellie up a little higher. “No, that’s alright. I’m sure she just wants to relax right now. Besides, Ellie and I have a whole day of activities to get to.”
“And Grandpa Jack,” Ellie interjects.
Diane laughs quietly and nods. “Yes, Grandpa Jack too. In fact, he’s already waiting for us so we can get some pizza.”
Ellie grins. “And skee ball?”
“That’s the plan.”
Ellie bounces excitedly. “Come on, Nana! Let’s go!”
Diane laughs and then looks at him. “I guess we’re going.”
Mac smiles. “I guess so. Here are her bags,” he says, picking up the small duffel and backpack and holding them out. “Ellie, be good for Nana and Grandpa Jack, okay?”
“Okay, daddy. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Have fun.” He gives his daughter a quick kiss on the forehead and then steps back to watch her disappear down the driveway with her grandmother. He waves once they’re in the car, and then closes the door to the house when they’ve completely gone.
Letting out a breath, he turns and makes his way back toward the living room, smiling at the sight of Riley relaxing on the couch with her tablet propped up against her belly. “How are you feeling?” he asks as he approaches, even though he knows it’s nearly pointless to be asking that specific question.
Riley sighs, her head dropping against the back of the couch. “I want this baby out of me already.”
“I know,” he says with a nod as he sits next to her again. “And I wish there was more that I could do to help with that. But you know what the doctor said.”
Riley groans, shifting on the couch to lean against him. “I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
He smiles, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “No, it doesn’t. I’m gonna go jump in the shower, you need anything before I do?”
She shakes her head. “No, I think I’m good. I wouldn’t mind a foot rub when you’re done, though.”
“Your wish is my command.” He carefully helps her sit back up and then moves through the house toward the bedroom so he can shower. He has no idea what the day ahead holds other than the both of them having a lazy day in for obvious reasons, but for Riley’s sake, he hopes the baby comes sooner rather than later.
.
.
.
Shifting on the couch, Mac’s brows furrow together as he focuses on the contraption strewn about on the coffee table in front of him. It’s one of many projects he’s found himself working on over the last few weeks while he’s been home with Riley to keep himself busy when he’s not looking after her or Ellie. He still goes to work on occasion when they absolutely need him to, but thankfully his skills haven’t been required lately so he’s been able to stay stateside in case Riley needs him for something or she goes into labor.
Pregnancy’s been a bit tougher on Riley this go around, and it nearly kills him inside whenever he knows she’s dealing with something that he can’t help with. Though, he is beyond grateful that he hasn’t been called away for any urgent ops like he was right before Ellie was born, and he prays that it stays that way. The last thing he wants or needs right now is to be away from Riley when she’s in the final stage of this particular pregnancy.
Letting out a small, frustrated huff, Mac sets the object in his hands back on the coffee table and then leans back, rubbing a hand down his face. He lets his eyes fall closed and takes a deep breath in, letting his body relax.
“Latest project giving you trouble?”
Mac smiles at the sound of his wife’s voice, his body relaxing the tiniest bit more when her hand runs through his hair. “Nothing I can’t handle.” He opens his eyes and tilts his head enough to look at her. “Thought you were taking a nap?”
She shrugs. “Couldn’t stay comfortable. Figured taking a lap through the house couldn’t hurt.”
“Let me know if you need anything.”
“Always.” She drops a kiss to his forehead and then turns to make her way slowly through the house, disappearing from view only a moment later.
Mac closes his eyes again once he can no longer see Riley, racking his brain to try and figure out why his machine isn’t working the way that he wants it to. It’s probably a very simple solution that he just hasn’t seen yet, but will eventually. Maybe he just needs to take a little break and let his mind reset. He just has to figure out what to do in the meantime.
“Mac? Mac!”
His entire body perks up, his eyes searching the space for his wife. “Riley?” he calls out as he stands.
She enters the room a moment later, one hand resting under her belly and the other on the back. “Hi.”
He lets out a breath. “Hi. Everything okay?”
“Oh, yeah, everything’s fine. Just…my water broke.”
Mac’s eyes go wide. “What? Okay. Uh, let me get my shoes on, and then we’ll go.” He swiftly turns toward the front door and then makes a sharp turn to move toward Riley. He stops in front of her, resting one hand on her belly and one on the back of her neck to pull her into a deep, but quick kiss. “I love you,” he whispers against her lips.
“I love you too. Now can we please get going?”
“Right, yes.” He pulls back and grins. “Time to have a baby.”
.
.
.
Time’s a bit of a blur from the moment they step out of the house until they’re in the delivery room. He’d missed all of this preparation stuff the last time, had only shown up right as the birth was actually happening. But now he’s committing as much as he can to memory for the next time, if there is gonna be a next time. They haven’t exactly discussed the topic of more children, given that their second hasn’t even been born yet, but he already knows where he stands on the subject. It’s definitely a discussion for another time, though.
His wife’s grunts and groans of displeasure pull him back into the present and he shifts closer to her bedside, readjusting the grip Riley has on his hand so she can hold it better and tighter. He offers her every ounce of strength that he can so she can get through this, even if he has to endure a little amount of pain in his hand from Riley squeezing so tight. It’s beyond worth it to get to hold their baby at the end of it all.
“You are so not touching me ever again,” Riley mumbles through another contraction, her eyes squeezed shut and her hand gripping tightly to his.
Mac nods, even though he knows she doesn’t really mean it. “Duly noted. No more touching.” He leans down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead. “That doesn’t count,” he tells her when he pulls away.
“I don’t care,” Riley says as she groans. “I just need this kid out of me.”
Mac looks up toward the doctor and nurses, observing the way they move about the room. His eyes lock into the doctor as he steps closer to check on Riley’s progress, popping back up before Mac can even open his mouth to ask his question.
“Okay, Riley, on the next contraction it’s time to start pushing.”
Riley lets out a heavy breath. “Finally.”
Mac keeps himself planted firmly at Riley’s side, one hand holding hers and the other brushing loose strands of hair out of her face while he murmurs encouragement to her throughout the whole process. He knows it isn’t easy, knows that it takes way more effort than he can even imagine to bring their children into this world. And he’s always in awe of it and of her.
Sooner than he can register, a loud, strong cry echoes through the room.
“It’s a girl.”
Mac laughs through his tears as he presses another kiss to Riley’s forehead. The room is a flurry of movements after that, some that he’s vaguely familiar with from the last time, and then he’s getting an up-close look at his new daughter as she’s placed on Riley’s chest. “Hi, sweetheart. Oh, she’s so perfect.”
“She really is,” Riley agrees. “Hey, baby girl. Welcome to the family.”
Mac rests his head against Riley’s as he watches his daughter, one arm wrapped around Riley’s shoulders as the other gently cradles their daughter’s head. She’s quiet now, thankfully, though he has a feeling deep down that it won’t last for very long. But he doesn’t care. Because she’s finally here. And he’s just as in love with her as he was the first time he saw Ellie when she was born.
“You did it, Riles,” he whispers to his wife after a few minutes. “She’s finally here. I love you so much.”
Riley tilts her head back to look at him with a tired smile. “I love you too.”
.
.
.
Gently bouncing his infant daughter in his arms to keep her calm as she sleeps, Mac can’t keep the smile off of his face. He’d almost forgotten how small babies can be since it’s like he blinked and Ellie is already three. He misses having moments like these with her, but it’s fun watching her grow up and explore the world around her. And he’s excited for the same to happen with the new baby, though he is going to try and savor these moments as much as he can while she’s still this small.
“Not sure if I said this the last time, but this is your best look.”
Mac turns slightly to look at his wife and raises a brow. “Oh yeah?”
She nods. “Absolutely. Wearing a flannel and holding a baby you helped create? Definitely your best look.”
Mac chuckles. “Alright, I’ll take it. They are pretty awesome kids. Do you think Ellie’s still gonna be okay with the new baby? I know she’s been excited, but she’s only three.”
“There’s really only one way to find out, and we won’t know for sure until she gets here. How long did my mom say they'd be?”
“My phone’s on the table next to you.”
Riley reaches out for the phone and taps at the screen a few times. “Mm, we missed a text from a couple minutes ago. Apparently they’re on their way up with everybody right now, except for Leanna.”
“Good to know. And I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not that the baby’s still sleeping.”
“Definitely a good thing,” Riley says, setting the phone beside her on the mattress. “If she was awake, she’d either be nursing or crying. I don’t want to deal with either situation while everyone’s here.”
“Fair point. So I guess all we’ve gotta do is wai—”
“Mommy? Daddy?”
Turning toward the door of their recovery room, Mac smiles brightly at his eldest being led into the room by Jack, the whole rest of the family right behind them. “Hey, Ellie. Did you have fun with Nana and Grandpa Jack?”
Ellie nods, still holding tightly to Jack’s hand. “Yeah. Is that my sister?”
“It is. You wanna meet her?”
“Please.”
“Alright then,” Jack says, scooping Ellie up into his arms with ease. “Let’s get a look at your new baby sister.” He steps closer, keeping a secure hold on Ellie, and smiles wide. “Well, she’s certainly a beauty. Just like you, sweetheart.”
Mac shifts the baby in his arms so Ellie can see her a bit better. “Ellie, meet your new baby sister.”
“What’s her name?”
“Yeah, I wanna know too,” Bozer interjects. “Quit making us wait.”
Jack shuffles on his feet. “You know, hoss, it’s not too late to name this one after her grandpa Jack. Jackie is a very beautiful name.”
Mac chuckles, glancing behind him at Riley, and then back at his friend. “You know, that’s a great suggestion, but we’ve already figured out her name. Everyone, we’d like for you to meet Cassandra Diane MacGyver.” He smiles at his mother-in-law, taking in the tears shining in her eyes as she hugs her daughter with one arm.
“I’m honored, thank you.”
Mac nods slightly. “Of course. You’re the best grandma to Ellie, and we know you’re gonna be just as great with Cassie.”
“Daddy, I wanna hold her.”
Mac smiles at his eldest. “Okay. Do you wanna go sit by mommy and she can help you hold the baby?”
Ellie silently wiggles down out of Jack’s arms until her feet are touching the bed, and then she lowers herself to her hands and knees and crawls up the bed toward Riley. “Hi, mommy,” she whispers as well as any toddler can, putting her arms around Riley to hug her.
Riley hugs Ellie back, dropping a lingering kiss to the top of her head. “Hi, baby. I missed you.”
Mac smiles at the sweet sight and then turns slightly to face the rest of the room, giving Riley a moment with their eldest, since it’s no longer just going to be the three of them. Ellie deserves to have a moment alone with her mom again before things really start to change for them all.
“Boze, how’s Leanna doing?” Mac asks his best friend as he adjusts his hold on Cassie slightly.
“She’s hanging in as best she can. She’s eager to not be pregnant anymore. And excited to finally have the baby, of course.” Bozer lets out a heavy breath. “Can’t believe I’m actually gonna be a dad soon.”
Mac smiles. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling, huh? Just wait, it gets even better.” He glances at the others, holding Cassie at more of an angle so everyone can see her. “I’m glad you’re all here.”
“Like we’d be anywhere else right now, Blondie,” Matty responds with a smile. “And she’s beautiful, by the way. Good job.”
“Thanks. We’re very happy, completely in love with her already.”
“Exactly as you should be,” Ashley speaks up with a grin, stepping closer to get a better look at Cassie. “Oh, she is beyond adorable. Baby,” she says, glancing over her shoulder, “isn’t she just the cutest?”
Desi smiles as she steps forward, wrapping her arms around Ashley and peering down at the baby. “She is pretty cute.”
“I would certainly have to agree,” Elwood speaks up. “Another beautiful granddaughter, I couldn’t be happier.”
“Oh, hey, we can totally take Ellie for a few days once you get home so you and Riley can adjust to having a new baby again if you need it,” Ashley offers. “Been a while since we’ve had a sleepover.”
Mac smiles. “I’m sure she’d love that. We’ll let you know the plan later, once we’re a bit more settled.”
Ashley nods. “Of course. No rush.”
“Daddy.”
Turning, Mac smiles at the sight of Ellie sitting comfortably next to Riley, her tiny legs stretched out in front of her and a wide smile on her face. “Yes?”
Ellie wiggles on the bed. “I wanna hold her.”
“Of course. She is very excited to meet her big sister.” He strides across the room and then leans down to carefully place Cassie in Ellie’s lap, smiling briefly up at Riley when she rests a hand under the baby’s head for extra support. Mac squats down then and rests his forearms on the edge of the mattress, reaching up to push the blanket down just enough so it’s resting under Cassie’s chin. “So, what do you think of your baby sister?”
“I love her,” Ellie states and then leans forward to press a kiss to Cassie’s forehead.
Mac glances up to see Riley watching the scene with tears in her eyes. “That was very sweet of you, Ellie,” he tells his daughter. “You’re gonna make such a good big sister.”
“The bestest.”
Cassie chooses that moment to start fussing, her little face scrunching up and a whine escaping.
Ellie freezes a second later, her eyes going wide and darting up. “Daddy.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” Riley soothes, running a hand down the top of Ellie’s head. “She’s probably just getting hungry.”
“And that would be our cue to skedaddle,” Jack pipes up. “Come on, everybody, let’s give them some privacy. Hey, you want one of us to take Ellie for you?”
Mac shares a look with Riley and then shakes his head with a smile at Jack as he sits in the chair next to the bed and pulls Ellie into his lap once Riley has Cassie. “No, I think we’re good right now.”
“Alright. Just let us know if you change your mind.”
“Will do.”
Goodbyes are exchanged after that, everyone in the room making sure to give just the slightest bit of extra attention to Ellie on their way out, reminding her that they love her and making promises to hang out soon. Mac doesn’t believe any of them are truly worried about Ellie not feeling loved because of the new baby, but he appreciates the sentiment and gesture nonetheless. And the smile on Ellie’s face is pretty great too.
Once everyone is gone and it’s just the four of them, the quiet sounds of Cassie’s suckling filling the room, Mac smiles. He’s been outnumbered in the house since the day Ellie was born, and now he’s even more outnumbered, but he doesn’t mind it in the slightest. He’s more than happy to have a house full of girls, especially when both of his daughters look just like their mom, the love of his life.
Shifting a little in his chair, Mac glances down to see Ellie half-asleep, her mouth parted slightly as she breathes, one hand clutching tightly to the fabric of Mac’s shirt. He drops a kiss to the top of her curls and then looks up at his wife, smiling a little brighter at the sight of her talking softly to their nursing newborn, the same smile on her face that she has whenever she looks at their eldest.
He really doesn’t know how life could get more perfect.