Chapter 11: New Life
After three hours in labor, Maureen declared that she was sick of it all and that Joanne could have the baby instead. Joanne and the doctor laughed and told her there was obviously nothing they could do now and she should just keep pushing. Finally, at 10:34 their little girl was born. The doctor took the baby for a moment, and Joanne turned to Maureen, who had collapsed back against the pillows, still breathing hard. Smiling she pushed the hair back off her wife's forehead and kissed her lightly.
"Congratulations," said the doctor smiling as he handed Joanne the baby, "your new baby girl. Should I get the father?" Joanne nodded but her attention was focused on the tiny child in her arms. Some how she was the most beautiful thing Joanne had ever seen. The smallest about of very blond hair like Marks covered the top of her head, and she had the most brilliant green eyes, just like Maureen.
A moment later, Mark came in. He smiled when he saw the baby and Joanne thought for certain she could see tears forming in his eyes. Somewhat reluctantly, she handed Mark the baby. "What's her name?" Mark asked, smiling at the bundle in his arms and gently rocking her back and forth.
"Vanessa" said Maureen. "Anyways, since I gave birth to her can I please hold her now?" Chuckling Mark gently put Vanessa in Maureen's arms. She smiled broadly down at her child. That smile was different from what Joanne was used to seeing. Maureen frequently only smiled when she wanted something, but this time she looked genuinely happy. This child would change Maureen a lot.
The baby started fidgeting and crying, reaching her arm out of the blanket she was wrapped in and latching onto Maureen's finger. The three of them looked at each other, finally letting the tears drip down their faces. "She's perfect," said Joanne. The other two nodded. Finally, after all the deaths they had faced, a new life was beginning.
