Chapter 10: Emerald Sky Martinson

A couple of days before Harper’s due date
Cole caught a Taliban fighter in his cross-hairs. He didn’t hesitate to shoot him. A few minutes later, he got the message that the town was clear. He stood up from his hiding place and stretched. “Afghan forces will be moving in in an hour so we can move on,” a member of his team told him. He nodded and looked over at Harvey. Ever since he’d told Harvey that he was in love with his sister, their relationship had been strained. He could only imagine what it would be like once he found out he was the father of his sister’s baby. That brought his thoughts to Harper and their unborn Emma Sky. Harper’s due date was coming up any day now and he wanted to be there when she gave birth. He knew his tour would be over in a couple of days as well. That brought a smile to his face and some joy in this otherwise barren place.
 
Sure enough, a couple of days later, he and Harvey boarded a plane back to the United States. When they landed at LAX, Harvey got a call. He looked frantic when he hung up. “What’s wrong?” Cole asked. “Harper’s in labor.” Cole didn’t need to be told twice. He asked what hospital she was at then left. He wasn’t sure if Harvey was following or not but he didn’t care. He was going to be at the birth of his daughter no matter what.
 
He got an Uber there in 30 minutes. At the front desk, he inquired about her room number. When he got to her room, he found Caden, Paige, and a woman who looked a lot like Paige, so probably her mother, inside. Caden looked up, “Cole?” He hardly acknowledged his brother as he came to Harper’s side. She was in pain. “Harper,” he said. Her eyes flew open, “Cole? What are you doing here?” It wasn’t an offensive question, she was asking out of curiosity. “You know why I’m here,” he said. She gave him a small smile then cried out in pain as another contraction hit her. A nurse came in, “You’re almost ready to push.” Harper nodded and Caden clutched her hand. Harvey came in, “Cole, dude, what the hell?” “Sorry,” Cole said, knowing his friend wanted to know why he’d ditched him. After a few more minutes, more nurses came in and Harper was told to push on the next contraction. When it hit, Cole’s heart broke at the sound of her cry. She got the head out quick, and the rest of the body came out soon after. The nurses, without even inquiring about the father, cut the cord. They probably assumed this was another teen pregnancy and the father was nowhere around. It kind of pissed Cole off but he let it go.
 
His daughter’s cries filled the room and he had a hard time keeping his tears in check. The nurses gave Harper the bundled baby. Harper had tears of joy running down her cheeks and Cole couldn’t help but brush them away. When the baby opened her eyes, everyone gasped. She had one bright blue eye and one green eye. “Emerald,” he said. No one understood what he meant except Harper. She smiled a watery smile, “Emerald Sky. That’s her name.” “What a beautiful name!” Paige’s mother said. “Thank you,” Harper said. Cole watched a silent communication pass between Paige and Harper. Harper turned to Emerald Sky, “Hi baby, I’m your mommy,” she began. Cole had a feeling he knew what was going to happen next before she even said anything. Harper turned Emerald to face him, “and this is your daddy.”
 
Cole barely caught Caden and Harvey’s reactions because, in the next moment, Harper was handing him their child. He gingerly took her in his arms and this time let the tears roll down his cheeks. “Aww,” Paige said. Cole barely registered the people around him. It was just him and his daughter at this moment. He couldn’t imagine a life without her already, or a time when he’d been happier. He held her for a few moments before handing her back to Harper. His hands were shaking so bad he was afraid he’d drop her.
 
He stepped outside of the room to compose himself, only to run into Chase and Conner and his mother. Great. “It must be emotional in there if you were crying,” Chase said. “When did you get back?” his mother asked. “About an hour ago,” he replied. The door opened and Harvey stepped out. He looked at Cole, “We are going to have a long talk but right now is not the time. But later, I will beat the shit out of you.” Cole expected nothing less. He nodded. Harvey slapped him on the back with a grin, “What are you doing out here? Harper wants you.” Cole smiled and went back into the room, followed by his two brothers, Harvey, and mother.
 
This time he did look at Caden. Caden had a sheen of tears in his eyes of happiness until he caught Cole’s gaze. Anger and betrayal flashed through his eyes before he looked back at Harper. Cole felt sorry for his brother. He went back to Harper’s side; she was cuddling Emerald. A nurse came in a moment later, “Could you all step out while I get her ready to move to another room?” Everyone nodded and filed out. Cole stepped into the hallway, knowing he was going to get a lashing from Caden. “How long did you know?” Caden asked him. “Three months,” Cole said. “When did it happen?” “The last rave you threw.” Chase looked between the two of them; Caden was glaring daggers at Cole. “What’s going on?” he asked. Caden stormed off. Cole sighed, “I knew this was going to happen.” “What did you do?” his mother asked, concern in her voice. Cole looked directly at her, “You’re a grandmother now.” “What do you mean?” But Chase and Conner understood what he meant. “You mean you’re the father?” Chase said, laughing. Cole gave him a look that stopped him dead in his tracks. “You’re the father!?” Chase repeated. “Yeah. I’m Emerald Sky’s father,” he said, just so everyone was clear. His mother gasped. “But….Caden….” Conner said. Cole ran his fingers through his hair, “Yeah, that’s why you’re just now finding out.” The nurse came out, “We’ve moved her bed to room 250.” “Thank you,” Cole said. Before he could be further grilled, he went to room 250.
 
Em was in her own little bed asleep. Harper looked him up and down when he came in. “You came,” she said in a small voice. He nodded, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She nodded and looked away. He turned her face to him, “Harper, I’m sorry for what I did to you. I knew you accepted Caden’s offer and I was mad so I got drunk. I know that doesn’t excuse my behavior but believe me when I say I regretted it right after.” She looked at him for a moment then nodded, “I believe you.” He sighed with relief then leaned down and kissed her. He heard the door open and a small gasp. The voice belonged to his mother. He slowly withdrew from Harper and whispered, “I love you.” He stood up before she had the chance to say anything.
 
“Mom!” he called loud enough for her to hear but not loud enough to wake Emerald. She poked her head in, “Are you done?” “Yeah, for now.” For the next few hours, relatives visited with Harper. All of his brothers can to visit except Caden; he never came back. Cole knew where his brother was so while Paige’s mother was with Harper, he slipped out.
 
He pulled up at their house and sure enough, Caden’s car was there. Cole went into the basement where they had their gym and found Caden relentlessly punching a bag. He watched his younger brother for a moment before he stepped in. Caden looked up and immediately glared, “The fuck do you want? Don’t you have a baby to be with?” “I deserved that.” “And more!” Cole sighed, “If I’d have known you would be interested in her… I can’t say that I wouldn’t have slept with her because then I wouldn’t have Emerald, but you get what I mean.” “Why are you here?” “You didn’t come back. Harper was looking for you.” He rolled his eyes, “All this time, she’d known she’d slept with my brother and led me on.” “Did she?” “What do you mean?” “Did she lead you on? As far as I could tell, she stopped your advances.” Cole saw the moment when Caden got his point. “So you’re saying she didn’t want to be with me because she has a baby with you?” Cole shrugged, “Maybe that was part of the reason but we’ll never know.” Caden punched the bag, “Why’d you do it?” “Sleep with her?” “Yeah.” “Have you seen Harper? She’s hot as hell. And we were at a party and she came on to me. What else was I supposed to do?” Caden shook his head. “Look, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you: you’re my younger brother and I love you to death.” “...I know.” Cole sighed, “Caden, I… about Harper… I…” Cole couldn’t find it in himself to tell Caden he was in love with Harper. “You…?” Caden prompted. Cole shook his head, “Nevermind.” “Spit it out, Cole. It can’t be worse than having a kid with her.” Cole looked away, “I’m in love with her.” Silence. Absolute silence. Cole looked at Caden who was staring at him. Caden looked down at his hands, “Yeah… I know.” “You know?” Cole wasn’t expecting that, more like a punch to the face. Caden humorlessly laughed, “The way you two were looking at each other when she said gave birth. I tried to deny that look in my head but it was painfully obvious you two were in love. I guess that was why I was mad in the first place. Yeah, knowing you’re the father was part of it but at least she’ll have a father and I’ll make a great uncle. The worst part was the fact that I always knew she never had feelings for me but I hoped maybe over time she’d start to like me, but then I saw the way her eyes lit up when you came in, and… it was hard.” Cole nodded; his brother was handling this better than he’d expected. Caden looked at him, “I love you both and I want you both to be happy, and if that’s with each other then I’ll just have to get over my feelings eventually.” Cole smiled, “Thanks.” “But one thing: she’s underage.” Cole groaned, “Yes, I know.” Caden walked over, “Good luck with that.” “Do you want to come back to the hospital?” Caden nodded, “Yeah. Let’s see my niece.”
 
Cole took Caden back to the hospital. They arrived just as Paige’s mother was leaving with Paige. Chase and Conner had already left, leaving their mother there. When he and Caden walked in, Harper’s eyes filled with tears. Caden gave her a hug, “I’ll be okay.” When he went over to his niece, Cole walked over to Harper. She smiled at him and he couldn’t help but plant a quick kiss on her lips. He pulled back only inches from her face, “I’m proud of you.” She smiled and pulled him down for another kiss. “I love you too,” she whispered against his lips. His heart soared. “Get a room,” Caden said. Cole looked up and chuckled. Caden stayed for about 20 minutes then left Cole, Harper, and Emerald alone.