'I'm so sorry... I can't find a heartbeat.'
She cradles the lifeless body to her chest as tears stream down her cheeks.
'I'm sorry... I'm sorry I couldn't keep you safe. I tried my hardest, I promise I did.' She whispers rocking back and forth on the bed.
'Babe, don't...' He says placing his hand on her shoulder.
'I couldn't keep her safe, Nick... What kind of mother am I? That's my second baby girl I couldn't keep safe.' She cries.
'Don't say that, Carla... This wasn't your fault, none of this was your fault.' He says, tears streaming down his own cheeks as he watches her gently touch their daughter's cheek.
'She's still warm. She looks like she could just be sleeping. Why can't she just be sleeping?' She asks glancing up at him.
'She looks like you.' He says and she sobs.
'I'm sorry.' He whispers.
'I think we should name her Iris, it means rainbow.' She says and he nods his head.
'Sounds perfect.' He replies.
'And whenever we see a rainbow we'll think of her.' She whispers.
'Perfect.' He says smiling slightly.
'I don't want her to be on her own.' She whispers glancing up at the nurse who has just entered the room.
'If you have a teddy bear or something we could keep that with her?' The nurse says and Carla nods her head.
'O-Okay... Can you keep this blanket with her? It smells like me and I don't want her thinking I've abandoned her.' Carla asks gesturing to the blanket covering the baby.
'Of course I can.' The nurse replies.
'Do you have to take her just now?' She asks.
'Not if you're not ready. I can leave her with you both for a while longer.' The nurse replies.
'Babe, it's not going to get any easier to hand her over.' Nick says pressing his lips to Carla's head.
'I'm not ready.' She whispers.
'You're never going to be ready, Carla... No one is ever ready to let go.' He says and she sighs.
'Okay...' She whispers. She reluctantly leans down and kisses Iris' forehead.
'I'm so sorry, baby girl... I'll see you soon.' She says. Tears stream down her cheeks as she hands Iris to the nurse along with the blanket and a little pink teddy bear.
'Sleep tight, princess.' Nick whispers gently touching his daughter's cheek.
'N-Nick...' Carla sobs and he instantly pulls her into his arms.
'I've got you.' He says tears streaming down his own cheeks.
'We'll all be together again, someday.' He whispers.