Chapter 91: Just Doing My Job Boss

"Owen, darling," Diane whispered softly, exchanging a practical, motherly look with Claire. "Why don't we take Olive home with us for the night? She's already asleep. We can put her down at the penthouse and let you two focus on Hazel and getting some real rest."

Claire nodded in agreement, slinging her purse over her shoulder. "We've got her, Owen. Give yourselves a break. You both look like you're going to drop."

Owen stood near the edge of the mattress, his hands tucked into his pockets. He looked down at the hospital bed, taking in the sight before him. Leona was barely keeping her eyes open, her arms wrapped fiercely and protectively around their older daughter, while their brand-new baby girl slept peacefully in the bassinet just inches away.

His chest tightened. His heart physically ached with the sheer, overwhelming magnitude of how much he loved the three of them.

Owen reached out, gently brushing a dark curl away from Olive's sleeping face, before letting his hand rest warmly and protectively on the nape of Leona's neck.

"No," Owen murmured. His voice was incredibly soft so as not to wake the babies, but it was filled with an absolute, unshakable certainty. He looked up, offering his mother and sister a deeply grateful, tired smile. "Thank you, but... no. I want them both here."

He looked back down at Leona. She fluttered her eyes open just enough to offer him a sleepy, breathtakingly beautiful smile in return, leaning her head into the warmth of his hand.

"I missed the beginning of today," Owen said quietly, the fierce devotion of a Stark completely taking over as he leaned down to press a lingering kiss to Leona's hair. "I'm not missing another second. I want to take care of all my girls today."

Diane’s eyes welled up with fresh tears all over again, but this time she just nodded, pressing a kiss to her son's cheek. "Okay, my strong boy. We'll see you tomorrow."

With quiet goodbyes, the Stark family finally slipped out the heavy wooden door, leaving Owen exactly where he belonged—standing guard over his beautiful wife and the two perfect daughters that made his world complete.

Two days later, the quiet sanctuary of the hospital room was officially packed up. It was time to go home.

Owen walked out of the double glass doors of the maternity ward, carrying the sleek, incredibly tiny newborn car seat like it was made of the most fragile glass on earth.

"Hospital policy," the cheerful maternity nurse had announced with a firm smile, absolutely refusing to let Leona take a single step toward the elevators.

So, Leona was officially wheeled out through the double glass doors of the maternity ward in a hospital wheelchair. She looked radiant and rested in a soft cashmere lounge set, with a very energetic Olive happily perched right on her lap. Owen walked proudly beside them, carrying the sleek, incredibly tiny newborn car seat holding Hazel like it was made of the most fragile glass on earth.

As they rolled out into the crisp Manhattan air, the familiar, gleaming black Stark town car was already idling perfectly at the curb.

Marcus was standing at attention, his posture impeccably straight, holding the heavy rear door wide open for them. But as the nurse wheeled Leona up to the car, she noticed the usually stoic driver was holding something else in his free hand.

With a surprisingly shy, warm smile that completely broke his professional armor, Marcus reached out and handed Leona two incredibly soft, identical plush musical elephants.

Leona stopped, her heart melting completely as she took in the thoughtful gifts. "Oh, Marcus... how incredibly sweet of you."

Marcus cleared his throat gently, smoothing his silk tie. "You know, I've been a part of the Stark fleet for years now, Mrs. Stark. And it was my absolute pleasure to be able to hold down the fort—or rather, the toddler—until the family got here."

Hearing his deep voice, Olive immediately perked up on Leona's lap. Recognizing her favorite temporary babysitter, the toddler let out a bright, musical laugh and eagerly stretched her chubby little hands out toward the toys.

Marcus chuckled softly. He reached out and gently pressed one of the plush elephants directly into Olive's waiting hands. The toddler immediately gave it a tight squeeze, her dark eyes lighting up with wonder as a soft, twinkling lullaby began to play from the toy.

Owen tipped the nurse and carefully clicked Hazel's car seat into the secure, custom base in the back of the town car, making sure his brand-new daughter was perfectly safe. Once she was settled, he turned around and closed the distance between himself and his driver.

Owen didn't offer a formal, billionaire-to-employee handshake. Instead, he reached out and clapped a firm, highly affectionate hand solidly onto Marcus's shoulder.

"Marcus, my man," Owen said, his voice dropping into a register of profound, unwavering sincerity as he looked at the man who had kept his family safe during the most terrifying hour of his life. "You've always been family to us. But I owe you a lot, man. More than I can say."

Marcus’s smile widened, visibly moved by the raw gratitude coming from the Zenith CEO. He gave Owen a deep, respectful nod, the bond of loyalty between them cemented forever.

"Just doing my job, boss," Marcus replied smoothly, gesturing toward the open door of the town car so Owen could help Leona inside. "Now, let's get your girls home."

Owen turned back to the wheelchair, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a deeply affectionate smile. He leaned down and scooped a very wiggly Olive out of Leona's lap, pressing a quick kiss to the toddler's cheek before carrying her over to the open door of the town car.

He expertly maneuvered her into her car seat, snapping the buckles into place with practiced ease. Once Olive was safely secured next to Hazel's infant carrier, Owen walked back to the wheelchair. He offered Leona a strong, steadying hand, gently helping her stand up and carefully guiding her into the plush, spacious leather interior of the town car.