"freckles"

TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE BIRTH

It was a nice summer day in Sparkyville. Richard and Marie Reichardt were walking in Sparkyville Park enjoying it. Marie was seven months pregnant with their first child. She had long flowing red hair and had freckles all over her face. Richard had short dark brown hair and sported a goatee that accented his rather large nose. They were very much in love with each other.

"Marie," Richard began, "words cannot describe how much I adore you. And with you giving us our first child, I would not trade this for anything in the world. I love you so much."

"Oh Richard," said Marie. "I love you, too." The couple embraced and kept walking.

ONE MONTH BEFORE THE BIRTH

At Brown's Barber Shop, Richard was getting his hair cut. Silas Brown, Jr. was cutting his hair. He was preparing for the birth of his first child.

"So, Rich," Silas began, "when is your wife due?"

"In about a month, Si," said Richard. "How was it when your kid was born?"

"Well, little Charlie was a joy in our lives," said Silas, with a smile. "He's very playful and a little on the shy side. But he brought happiness in mine and the old lady's life. I'm sure he will make a bunch of friends."

"Yeah, maybe he and my kid will become playmates," said Richard.

THE NIGHT OF THE BIRTH

Richard was sound asleep when Marie woke him up. It was 2 in the morning and he had an important meeting he was preparing for.

"Richard," Marie said.

"Hmm?" said a still half-asleep Richard.

"It's time, darling!"

Richard rushed Marie to the hospital for the birth of their kid. Once they got there, Marie's contractions got too severe that an emergency C-section was necessary for a safe birth. They rushed Marie to the delivery room and had Richard wait with other fathers who were also having kids.

About an hour passed and the doctor came to see Richard. He went up to the doctor and said, "Well how are they? Is my kid a boy or a girl?"

"Richard," said the doctor. "You may want to sit down." Richard reluctantly complied. The doctor continued, "Well your wife had some complications during the birth that we had to do a C-section to insure safe birth."

"Okay?"

"Well, I have good news and bad news," said the doctor. "The good news is that your newborn baby girl is doing just fine, and you can go see her shortly."

"Oh wow!" said Richard, sighing with relief. "I thought something was wrong with my kid. I can't wait to see her, and Marie. I'm sure she'll be waiting for me."

"Well, that's the bad news, Richard," the doctor said, sadly.

"What happened?"

"During delivery, your wife suffered a cardiac arrest. We tried everything to resuscitate her. I'm afraid she didn't make it."

"What?!"

"I'm sorry, Richard. Your wife is gone."

Richard broke down in tears almost immediately. He beloved wife was gone and she would never get the chance to know their daughter. Even worse is that the daughter would never know her mother. He didn't know what would happen to the two of them. Finally, when he regained some composure, he asked the doctor, "Can I go see my daughter now?"

"Yes, you may," said the doctor.

The doctor led Richard to where his newborn daughter was. Among the bed of babies he spotted his right away. She had light brown hair, freckles like her mother, and a large nose like her father. The nurse joined Richard and the doctor. She asked Richard, "So what do you want to name your daughter, Mr. Reichardt?"

"Well, I will name her Patricia Marie Reichardt. Patricia after my mother, and Marie after hers, so that my wife will live on through her."

"You can go in and hold her now, if you want."

Richard went in and held little Patricia in his arms. "Welcome to the world, Patricia," said Richard, softly, with tears running down his cheeks. "I love you, my rare gem."

THE END