Chapter 6 - The General’s Daughter
Two months later, Cassidy stood in her father’s study.
Her old Army photograph rested on his bookshelf.
She was twenty-six in the picture.
Uniform immaculate.
Eyes serious.
William entered carrying two cups of tea.
“You keep staring at that.”
“I barely recognize her.”
“I do.”
“She thought she could control everything.”
William handed her a cup.
“She got that from her mother.”
Cassidy smiled.
“Not you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Four-star general.”
“Coincidence.”
Cassidy laughed.
Then suddenly grabbed the edge of the desk.
William froze.
“What?”
She breathed.
“Nothing.”
“Cassidy.”
Another contraction came.
Her eyes widened.
“Dad.”
William put down his tea.
“Yes?”
“I think the baby’s coming.”
For a man who had commanded tens of thousands of soldiers, General William Carter completely lost composure.
“Now?”
Cassidy laughed despite the pain.
“That’s usually how labor works.”
“I’ll call the hospital.”
“Dad.”
“And the driver.”
“Dad.”
“Where’s your bag?”
“Dad!”
He stopped.
Cassidy pointed toward the hallway.
“Car.”
“Yes.”
“Hospital.”
“Yes.”
“And no helicopters.”
William frowned.
“That seems unnecessarily restrictive.”
“Dad!”
“Fine.”
Nine hours later, Cassidy held her daughter.
Small.
Healthy.
Furious at the world.
William stood beside the bed with tears in his eyes.
Cassidy noticed.
“Are you crying?”
“No.”
“You absolutely are.”
“I’m a general.”
“Generals have tear ducts.”
“Classified.”
Cassidy laughed.
A nurse entered.
“There’s someone asking whether he can see you.”
Cassidy already knew.
“Brendan?”
The nurse nodded.
Cassidy looked down at her daughter.
“Give me a minute.”
Brendan waited outside.
When Cassidy finally allowed him in, he stopped several feet from the bed.
He looked terrified.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s perfect.”
His eyes filled.
“A girl?”
Cassidy nodded.
Brendan slowly approached.
“What’s her name?”
“Grace.”
He smiled.
“Grace Carter?”
Cassidy looked at him.
“Grace Carter Hale.”
Brendan’s expression broke.
“You gave her my name?”
“You’re her father.”
He wiped his eyes.
“Can I hold her?”
Cassidy hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Sit first.”
Brendan sat.
Cassidy carefully placed Grace into his arms.
He stared at his daughter.
“Hi.”
Grace made a tiny sound.
Brendan laughed through his tears.
“I’m your dad.”
Cassidy watched him.
There was no reconciliation.
No sudden romantic miracle.
Their marriage was over.
But something new could still begin.
Brendan looked at Cassidy.
“I won’t fail her.”
Cassidy’s voice was quiet.
“Don’t promise.”
He looked confused.
“Show her.”
Brendan nodded.
“I will.”
From the doorway, William watched silently.
Brendan noticed him.
“General.”
William folded his arms.
“Brendan.”
“I’m going to do better.”
William looked toward Grace.
“Then we’ll have no problems.”
Brendan swallowed.
“Yes, sir.”
Cassidy rolled her eyes.
“Dad.”
“What?”
“Stop terrifying my child’s father.”
“I’m standing here.”
“You’re doing it aggressively.”
William almost smiled.
For the first time, Brendan laughed with them instead of at Cassidy.
It was a small thing.
May you like
But small things were where change began.
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