A/N: When I started writing this story I originally named it The Way Home. Something about that title bothered me until I realized that the author My Sweet One had a story by the same name. I removed the first chapter and have re-titled it. So here it is now with a new name. My apologies.

The pain was unbearable; it felt like she was laying on a bed of knives. The contractions were coming closer together now, and her body's urge to push the baby out was taking over. Rosamund was holding her hand and wiping her face, her nightgown was plastered to her body by sweat. Dr. Reynold's, her aunt's private physician and his surgical nurse were there to help her through this. Her water had broken about four hours earlier, and they had taken her to the hospital immediately. She and her aunt had originally planned to go to Switzerland, but at the last moment Rosamund took control and decided that it would be better to stay in London, to have her personal physician take control of this pregnancy. Also, if there were any news of Michael Gregson she would be in London when it came. But nothing had come; all these long months and no news.

Edith heard the doctor tell her that he could see the crown of the baby's head. One more push and the baby would be here, finally.

"Come my dear, one more push. I know it is hard and you are tired, but you can do this," she heard her aunt say as she stroked Edith's hair with her fingers.

Suddenly the pain and pressure were gone and she heard, "It's a girl."

But that was all she heard. The baby wasn't crying and as she turned her head she saw the doctor and nurse working in the corner.

"Aunt Rosamund, why isn't she crying? Newborn babies are supposed to cry when they take their first breaths," Edith sobbed as she tried to raise up and see her baby.

Rosamund in her ever efficient, demanding way said, "Henry, what is happening?"

Dr. Reynolds wiped his hands and walked toward the bed.

"I'm so sorry, Lady Edith, but she didn't make it. Her little lungs were not strong enough to breath in air and support her little body. This happens in many cases where babies are born early. You still had about four weeks to go before you reached the end of your term."

"Can I see her please," Edith whispered through her tears," please"

Dr. Reynolds looked across the bed at Rosamund who nodded.

The other nurses in the room were cleaning up the afterbirth and Rosamund was wiping Edith's face and neck with a wet cloth as they slipped a clean hospital gown on her. It was then that Dr. Reynolds walked toward Edith and placed a bundle in her outstretched arms. Slowly Edith pushed back the blanket to see the face of her daughter. She was so small. She didn't know the color of her eyes because they were closed, but her hair was light, almost white. There wasn't very much of it but just enough that Edith could wrap a little of it around her finger. Her little hands were perfect. She had all ten fingers and although Edith didn't see, she knew she had ten toes as well. And her skin was so soft. Her little face reminded Edith of one of her baby dolls.

Turning to Rosamund, Edith said through her tears, "Aunt Rosamund, would you see if the hospital chaplin could come and christen her. She is my daughter and she deserves a name, please."

Edith had never seen her aunt cry, but the tears were cascading down her face. Turning to Dr. Reynolds Rosamund whispered, "Please Henry, help us get this done."

Reynolds nodded his head and whispered something to his nurse, and she quietly left the room closing the door silently behind her.

Edith continued looking at her daughter. She wanted to remember what she looked like, brand it behind her eyes so that she would never forget. Looking at the baby, Edith whispered to her, "You were wanted, you know . You would have been so loved and made to feel important every day. You would have been everything to me."

Turning to Dr. Reynolds she asked, "Do you have some scissors? She doesn't have much hair, but I would like to have as much of it as I can."

Reynolds walked to the table in the corner and brought back a small pair of scissors. Rosamund took a handkerchief out of her purse and held it out as Reynolds snipped off the longer strands of the baby's hair. Gently he dropped the strands into the handkerchief.

The door opened and the hospital chaplin entered carrying a small bowl of water, a towel and his vestment. Slowly walking over to Edith he said, "This is very unusual, but I understand, and if it will help to ease the pain in your heart ,then I will be happy to christen your baby. "

Putting his vestment around his neck, he asked, "What name is given to this child?"

"Hope," Edith said, her voice now firm.

"I baptize thee Hope in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit," he continued as he gently sprinkled water on the baby's head. "Oh, Lord, accept the soul of this child as she comes to you on the wings of angels and God bless and protect her mother."

He gently squeezed Edith's hand before he turned and left the room. She felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her, she could think and breathe for the first time in about five minutes.

"Aunt Rosemund you have been so good to me, more so than anyone else in the family. Would you do one more thing? I want her buried . I want her in a place where I can come once in a while. There is that small chapel two blocks from your house. Would you see if she could be put there, and if an undertaker could come and keep her safe until I can come. Dr. Reynolds, when can I leave the hospital?"

"I would say in about three days. We want to make sure most of the afterbirth is gone and that you are strong enough to leave."

Not more than fifteen minutes had passed since Hope had been born and died. She had been christened and now arrangements were being made for a final resting place. Dr. Reynolds gently told Edith that the baby needed to go to the holding area to wait for the undertaker.

Rosamund crossed the room to Edith. "He needs to take her dear, she can't stay here any longer. I will go with him , call Williams and Son, and stay with her until they come. I promise. I will explain everything to them. Later today I will go to the chapel and see the vicar. I want you to rest and not to worry. There is nothing more you can do. "

Dr. Reynolds gently took the baby and waited by the door for Rosamund. She bent down and kissed Edith and brushed her damp hair back off her face. "Sleep my sweet girl, sleep. I will be back later. You won't be alone. I will be here with you."

But Rosamund was concerned about Edith's state of mind. She asked Reynolds if a nurse could stay with Edith until she got back and he reassured her that he would come back and see to it. He too understood what the trauma of losing a child can do to a person.

In the quiet of the room, the tears came again. How many times can a heart break before all will to live is gone? How many times must you be tested? How many times must you be punished? As she lay there broken and alone thinking about her baby, she put her hands over her eyes and whispered Oh Anthony.