Annie and Howard held on to each other while they slept that night. Annie anchored herself to Howard's solid strength, and she slept better than she had since Gabriel died.

When dim morning light began to flood the room, Annie woke up with a sharp pain in her back. She sat up and tried to rub it, but it didn't help. She stood up and started walking around the room.

"Anne? Are you alright?"

"I don't know."

Howard got out of bed and let Annie lean on him while they paced together. A gush of water hit their feet.

"She's coming."

"It's too early! She's not supposed to be here for another month."

"She doesn't seem to know that." Annie cried out at another sharp pain. Howard helped her to the bed and rubbed her back.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Call the station. Get Maggie to come. And boil some water. And clean your shears with some alcohol."

Howard kissed Annie on the forehead, then went about his list frantically. Annie struggled to the window and opened it, letting the sunlight and the rare summer breeze in. When Howard finished, he came back into the room.

"Get back in the bed!" He helped Annie sit down again. "Should we get you to the hospital?"

"No. Our baby is going to be born in this room. Just like every baby in this house."

"Annie-"

Annie gave another cry of pain. Forrest's car squealed into the yard, and he, Maggie, And Jack piled out.

"Howard, you have to go."

"No. I'm not leaving you."

"Everything is going to be alright." Annie said between deep breaths. "I know what I'm doing. I've delivered babies before."

Howard leaned down and kissed Annie soundly.

"I love you."

"I love you," too."

It took four hours for the baby to come. Jack and Forrest paced around, but all Howard could do was sit and wait. Annie's yelps and cries from the other room made his heart break, and he wanted so badly to go into the room and hold her hand through all of it. But he knew she would tell him to get out.

"She's gonna be okay, Howard," Forrest said. "There's not a soul on this earth more stubborn than that girl."

"I know. She's stronger than me."

All the noise from the bedroom finally stopped. Howard stood up and went to the door. His heart thudded in his chest, and he wished it would be quiet so that he could hear what was going on. Then he heard a tiny cry.

Maggie appeared at the door a moment later.

"It's a girl."

Forrest and Jack congratulated Howard with claps on the back and smiles. Maggie made him wait a few minutes before going in so that she could help Annie get cleaned up and then put fresh linens on the bed. When he did get to come in, he made a bee line to Annie.

"Howard. Meet your daughter."

The tiny pink baby in Annie's arms looked up at Howard with a deep blue gaze. They contemplated one another for a moment, and then Howard spoke.

"Anne."

"She's ours. We made her. Can you believe it? Our baby."

"Annie. Annie." It was all he could do not to burst into tears.

"Hold her," she said, handing the little bundle over and patting the bed beside her for him to sit. Howard cradled his new daughter like she would break. He walked over to his side of the bed and sat down gingerly. Annie rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" Howard asked.

"Yes."

"You're sure? Should you be laying down?"

"Howard, I'm fine."

Howard leaned over to her for a kiss, and she gave it. Then he leaned down and kissed the baby on the top of the head.

"She's beautiful."

"I think she'll be tall. Her legs are long."

Annie moved the blanket to show the baby's legs to Howard. Howard slipped his arm around her shoulders and held her fast to his side.

"Did you name her?"

"Well, I thought about that. I know you have your heart set on Josephine, but I've had a name on my mind lately."

"What is it?"

Annie stroked her daughter's cheek and quietly said, "Gabriella."

Howard smiled. How could he not agree to honor Annie's brother?

"I love it. There'll be time for a Josephine later."