"You are the father?" asked the clipboard and pen wielding man in white.
"Yes, doctor, I am." His reply was nervous, but polite. The irony that such a man should be the one to bring him the news did not go unnoticed.
"Congratulations, sir. Your son is perfectly healthy, no physical defects or mental dysfunctions. A perfect, normal, baby boy."
"Thanks be to God."
During this exchange, a nurse came to where the two were talking and handed the small (but not too small), plump (though not overweight) baby to the man claiming to be its father.
"We will need a name to put on the birth certificate, have you and your wife decided on one?"
"Sergei." Was the reply as the man looked into his son's eyes. "Sergei Pieres." Allelujia looked up and into the eyes of Marie through the clear glass windows. She was sitting upright in her bed watching his every move, smiling.
