Freya was asleep, back in their temporary bed. It had been a long and tiring day, and she deserved every minute of it. Mal, on the other hand, couldn’t take his eyes off his daughter.

He was sitting in the common area, his feet propped up on the table, little Jesse in his lap wrapped in the comforter Kaylee had made. Her face was relaxed, her eyes closed, and she slept. He wondered idly if she dreamed, since she didn’t have even a day’s worth of memories to call upon, but maybe it was just sleep. Or perhaps it was remembrances of being safe and warm. He tucked the comforter a little closer.

“Gonna keep you safe,” he said softly. “Me and your Momma. And Ethan. Everyone on board this ship is gonna keep you safe, little one.”

She’d already had her first feed, lying against Freya’s breast, taking in the milk that was going to make her grow up big and strong. Neither Frey nor himself had been able to stop the odd tear rolling.

“’Cause this is your family, Jesse. And families do for each other, they take care of each other. There ain’t a one on board that wouldn’t die for you or any of the kids.” He smiled. “And you’ll have lots of playmates. Bethie, Ben, Hope … not forgetting Ethan. Gotta make allowances for him sometimes, though, Jesse. He’s a boy, and sometimes boys act stupid. I should know. Used to be one myself, not that long ago. So just give him some rope ‘casionally.”

Jesse yawned, and waved her tiny fists in the air. Her eyelashes, as long and full as his own, flickered once, and he held his breath, not knowing if she was going to wake up, but she just settled again.

“That’s my girl,” he whispered. His lips curved again of their own accord, unable to keep his happiness inside. “You know, you coming along, and being a girl ‘n’all, well, that means you outnumber us fellers. Think I’m gonna have to be talking to River about this. She’s got the whole next generation of us planned out - better make sure there’s a fair number of boys amongst it.”

“Uncle Mal?”