The summer days flew by, and Sasha's abdomen swelled as the child within grew. Its movements were soon visible beneath its mother's clothing. "I remember how active Marina was before she was born," Sasha reminisced to Martin one evening as they sat relaxing on the front porch swing. Sasha's wheelchair sat beside it. After much practice, she'd learn to transfer her body to the swing unassisted; even so, Martin had a very difficult time watching her without offering a helping hand. He knew it was a matter of pride for her.

"She used to move so much at night that sometimes I couldn't sleep..." Her voice trailed off. Martin saw a ripple move across her abdomen. He placed her hand over it, and she smiled.

Marina toddled over and handed her mother a flower she'd just picked. "Pretty, Mama."

"Yes, it is," Sasha agreed. "Is it for me?"

The little girl nodded, her finger in her mouth.

"Thank you!" Sasha attempted to lift her into her lap, but she didn't quite fit. Marina crawled into Martin's lap instead, where there was plenty of room for her. Both adults laughed.

"In just a couple of months, you can sit in your Mama's lap again," said Martin.

Due to Sasha's condition, a home birth was out of the question, as it would be far too dangerous, so Martin would have to drive his wife the short distance to the hospital in Darmstadt for the delivery. Dr. Hartwig had told the couple the signs to watch for that would indicate Sasha was in labor.

There had already been several false alarms when one chilly night in late October, Sasha turned to her husband. "It's time," was all she said.

Martin's eyes grew wide. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

A flurry of activity followed as Martin wheeled his wife out to the car, then went to fetch Marina, who was already asleep. She awakened and rubbed her eyes. "Go bye-bye?"

"Yes," Martin told her. "It's time for your baby brother or sister to be born."

"Baby born..." As he laid the little girl in the back seat and tucked a blanket around her, she slipped her thumb into her mouth and was soon fast asleep again.

Although it was only a short drive to Peter and Margot's, to Martin, it seemed to take much longer. As they parked the car, Margot ran out to meet them. Martin opened the back door, scooped the slumbering toddler into his arms, and handed her to his sister-in-law.

"I'll say a prayer for you." Margot cast a worried look in Sasha's direction.

"Thanks. I'm sure we'll need it."

After what seemed an eternity to Martin, they finally reached the hospital, where Sasha was wheeled back right away. "I'll call Dr. Hartwig," the receptionist told them.

"May I please stay with her until the doctor gets here?" Martin begged.

"Certainly," the receptionist replied.

In the delivery room, Sasha moved from the wheelchair to the bed, where the nurse examined her, then began to prepare for the birth while awaiting the doctor's arrival. Martin held his wife's hand and brushed the hair back from her forehead.

"It's odd," Sasha told him. "There's no pain this time, yet I'm ever so much more afraid than before."

"Everything will be all right," Martin soothed. "It was God's will that this child should come into the world, and both of you are under the protection of His hand."

"I know, but I'm just so scared!"

"I know." He embraced her. "Just keep your mind on Him and His love, and He'll see you through."

Dr. Hartwig arrived a few minutes later and, all business, shooed Martin out of the room.

"Don't leave me!" Sasha cried, panicked.

"It's only for a little while, darling." Martin embraced her again and kissed her. "I'll see you again really soon."

Marina awoke and found herself in a strange bedroom. She was a bit frightened until she saw Margot. "Aunt Mimi!"

"Good morning, sweetheart." She lifted the little girl from the crib and kissed her cheek. "Just think, before this day's over, you'll have a brand new baby brother or sister!"

"Baby." Marina pointed to Wilhelm, who was still asleep.

"That's right! Just like Wilhelm."

She carried Marina into the kitchen, sat her at the table, and gave her her breakfast. In the meantime, Wilhelm awakened and began to whimper. Margot fetched him and sat at the table with Marina to nurse him. The little girl watched with curious eyes.

"This is how I give Wilhelm his breakfast," Margot explained.

Marina smiled and held out a peace of toast with butter and jam on it. Margot laughed. "He'll have to grow some teeth before he can eat that."

The little girl looked puzzled for just a moment, then finished her breakfast and went to play.

Martin prayed in silence as he paced back and forth in the waiting room. Please, Lord, watch over her and keep her safe! She's such a brave and caring woman, and I love her so much!

He was so lost in thought that he wasn't even aware of the doctor's approach in the wee hours of the morning until the older man spoke. "Herr Gaebel?"

Martin spun around, his eyes wide. Dr. Hartwig smiled. "You have a fine, healthy son. Six pounds, ten ounces."

"Is Sasha all right?"

"She's fine. You can go in and see her now."

Martin entered the room to see his wife sitting up in bed, smiling and holding the newborn. Tears filled his eyes as he touched the soft, downy head.

"I want to name him Clayton Andrew, for my father." Sasha's voice was soft. "He meant the world to me, and I'll always love him."

Martin nodded. "I've never heard it before, but it's a lovely name." He sat beside the bed and took the tiny bundle into his arms. "Well, hello there!" He smiled, and the infant's unfocused eyes looked up at him. "I can't wait for your big sister to meet you!"

"Neither can I," Sasha added.