Page 47

47

Jason paced the hospital waiting room, his boots scuffing against the linoleum floor. The antiseptic smell burned his nostrils. He checked his watch for the hundredth time, willing the minutes to move faster.

The entire team was there, scattered across the uncomfortable plastic chairs. Tai, Fenn, Gravy, and the others formed a protective circle around young Kellen, who was doing his best to stay brave for his mom and soon-to-be sisters.

Jason squatted down next to him. “Hey, buddy, you doing okay?”

Kellen nodded, his eyes wide. “Yeah, Uncle Jason. Is Mom gonna be alright?”

He squeezed the boy’s thin shoulder reassuringly. “Your mom’s the toughest person I know. She’s got this.”

Fenn cleared his throat. “Why don’t we say a prayer for Jane and the babies?”

The team nodded in agreement, forming a tight circle and joining hands.

“Dear Lord,” Fenn began, his deep voice steady and calming. “We come before you today to ask for your blessing and protection over Jane, Bridger, and their babies. Guide the doctors’ hands and give Jane strength for the journey ahead.”

As the prayer continued, peace washed over him, sweet and bright and strong. The team had faced countless dangers together, but this moment—waiting for new life to enter the world—felt profoundly sacred.

Gravy spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “Oh, and maybe help the Major figure things out, you know?”

Jason’s eyes snapped open. “What does that mean?”

Gravy just shook his head sadly. “And I thought I was the dumb one,” he muttered.

Before Jason could press further, a commotion at the end of the hall snapped him back to the present. Bridger burst through the double doors, his face a mix of exhaustion and pure joy.

“They’re here!” he exclaimed, his voice cracking with emotion. “Both of them. They’re perfect.” He headed straight for his son, lifting the boy off the ground. “Mom’s doing fine. She asked me to get you first thing.”

Jason was on his feet in an instant, engulfing his nephew and brother-in-law in a bear hug. “Congratulations, man,” he said, his own voice thick with unshed tears.

The team broke out into a collective roar that brought the nursing staff to the doorway. “Sorry,” Tai waved at them. “We’ll keep it down.”

While Bridger led Kellen into the delivery room, Jason and the team traded hugs and high fives. It didn’t take long for Bridger to return, crooking a finger at Jason. “Mama wants her big bro,” he said.

“Copy that.” He hurried down the hall after his friend. A surge of love and protectiveness washed over him. His family was growing, changing in ways he never could have imagined. And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to dream of a future beyond missions and danger.

Jane lay propped up in bed, looking exhausted but radiant. In her arms, two tiny bundles with impossibly tiny white wrist bands on their impossibly tiny wrists squirmed and fussed. Kellen stood beside the bed, face glowing with wonder. “They’re so tiny, Uncle Jay. Look at their teeny fingers.”

Jane looked up. “Hey, big brother. Come meet your nieces.”

Jason approached the bed, his heart pounding. As he gazed down at the two perfect little faces, emotions choked him. Love, fear, hope, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility.

“They’re beautiful,” he whispered, gently touching one tiny hand. “What are their names?”

Jane and Bridger exchanged a look, their smiles widening. “We’d like you to meet Faith and Grace,” Bridger announced.

Jason felt his throat tighten. “Faith and Grace,” he repeated, the words laden with meaning. After everything Bridger and Jane had been through, after all the darkness they’d faced, here was a reminder of God’s enduring love and mercy.

As he held Faith in his arms, her tiny fingers wrapping around his calloused thumb, something shifted deep within his soul. This was what it was all about. This was why they fought. Why they risked everything. For moments like these.

For the promise of a better future.

“Welcome to the world, little ones,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Faith’s forehead. “Your uncle Jason’s got your back. Always.”

The room filled with quiet chatter, but Jason barely noticed. His focus was entirely on the precious bundle in his arms. For the first time, he truly understood what he was fighting for. And for the first time, he allowed himself to imagine a future beyond the next mission. A future that, despite his best efforts to deny it, had to include Alex.

As Faith yawned and nestled closer to his chest, Jason sent up a silent prayer. For protection, for guidance, and maybe, just maybe, for a second chance at love.

Here he was, holding new life in his arms, finally understanding the true meaning of family and love, and he had let Alex walk away.

“I have to go,” he blurted out, startling Jane and Bridger.

“What? Now?” Jane asked, confusion etched on her tired face.

Jason carefully handed Faith back to Bridger, his movements urgent but gentle. “I’m sorry, I just ... I need to fix something.”

Understanding dawned in Bridger’s eyes. “Go get her, man.”

With a quick kiss to Jane’s forehead and a final glance at his nieces, Jason ran out of the room. He had to get to Alex. Now. Before he lost his chance at the future he suddenly realized he desperately wanted.

He blasted straight past the team, ignoring their curious looks. No time to explain.

As he hurried out of the building, he went through a mental pre-flight. He’d find the closest airstrip to Alex’s place large enough to handle his P51 and head out ASAP.

It was time to take the biggest leap of faith of his life.