He dreams of storms and pain. Of fear and happiness.

Rain and wind pelts the windows, and the pain stabbing him erupts in a sobbing scream.

Sweat and tears pour down his face--her face. Her face, her body, but his pain.

The room's lit up in gold, along with the crackling fire. And as the storm rages outside, another spins through her. Through him.

Agony rips through her stomach with the next contraction. She's blinded by it, her cry is primal, and burns Sonny's throat with a passion.

"Push, Alice! You need to push! You're almost there!"

Tired, she's so tired, so weak. How is she expected to live through such agonizing pain? But all she does is grit her teeth. Almost crazy. Everything she is, everything she has, is focused on this one thing, this one miracle.

Her baby. Her baby, Tom's baby, is fighting to be born. She bears down with what remaining strength she has left. Both her and the baby's life depend on it.

"I can see the head! Such beautiful hair! One more, Alice. One more push."

Now she's laughing. She'll take that over screaming, even if the laugh is seconds away from turning hysterical. She braces herself on her elbows, throwing her head back as more unspeakable pain crashes right through her.

This one moment, this one act, is the greatest gift a woman is able to give. This gift, this baby, would be safe, would be loved. Would be loved for all the days of his life.

And with the pain, with the lightning flashing, followed by the thunder, she pushes, and pushes, and finally pushes a crying baby into the world.

"It's a boy! You have a handsome baby boy!"

All thoughts of the pain are forgotten. All the hours of sweat and blood, and agony mean nothing now, in the flash of joy. Weeping, she holds out her small arms for the tiny wiggling baby crying out in what sounds like satisfaction.

"My will. My beautiful little Bill. Tell Tom. Please, bring Tom in to see our son."

They clean up both the mother and baby first, smiling at the mother's impatience and the baby's irritated crying.

There's tears in Tom's eyes when he finally comes into the room. When he clasps her hand, his fingers are shaking. When he looks at the baby they've both created, his face in awe.

She tells him what she'd promised the second Bill was placed into her arms.

"We'll protect him, Tom. No matter what, we'll protect him, and love him. He's ours. Promise me you'll always be there for him."

"Of course I will. He's so handsome, Alice. My beautiful family. I love you."

"Say it. I need to hear you say it."

Still holding Alice's hand, Tom lays a tender finger on his son's cheek.

"I promise to love and care for him, to always be there for him. I swear by it."