The sky was filled with looming clouds, announcing rain but never quite raining. It was humid, but the water littering the air was cool, keeping it from suffocating all the people around. No one was outside, except for the little bits of litter that caught the eye every now and then. Lightning flashed, but still no rain graced the earth.
Again, it flashed, and right then it came - the sound of a baby crying.
"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hadley ," the doctor said, though Michael had passed out long ago; "it's a girl."
And there she was, a small, pink, roly-poly infant with big, green eyes. Brooke held her close. Ten months ago, when she found out she was pregnant, it had been the end of her life. Now, she stroked the baby's warm, pink skin with her finger. There was a groaning and a stirring from the chair across the room, where Michael began to stand. He stepped over, taking his child's hand as she nursed contentedly. Brooke appeared as though she may pass out.
"Honey, could you go get me some water?" she asked, her voice hoarse.
"Sure." he whispered in reply, trailing through the hall to the elevator.
The doctor's said she was perfectly normal at seven and a half pounds and 19 inches long. Brooke knew they were wrong. Still, she smiled as she grabbed her daughter's hand as the girl began falling asleep.
They considered an abortion. But they didn't consider that for long. Then they considered adoption. But that wouldn't change her genetics. She would never be normal. She would have to worry. Maybe she would do the same thing her mother did, and pretend she knew nothing about it. Brooke tried not to think about it, but she had no choice. She would have to at some point.
"Welcome to the world, Remy Michelle Hadley."
Lightning flashed. Finally, it began to rain. And when Michael walked back into the hospital room, both of them were asleep.