The baby's head slipping back into her, Sheridan collapsed against the bed. "I can't do this," she gasped. "She won't come out."

"Of course you can do this," Luis encouraged her. "She's almost here."

"Yes," Dr. Valerii agreed. "And we almost had her that time—I think you just need to give me another good push, Sheridan."

"I . . . I can't . . ." Sheridan involuntarily rose up with another contraction.

"That's it," Dr. Valerii encouraged her. "Keep going. Keep going."

Gritting her teeth, Sheridan squeezed Luis's hand tighter and tighter as the pressure between her legs continued to build.

A stinging sensation flaring between her thighs, every muscle in Sheridan's lower body jerked back.

"You're crowning!" Dr. Valerii announced. "Just try to relax. Your daughter is almost here."

Her body sinking back onto the bed, Sheridan's heart pounded in her chest.

"You're doing great." Luis brushed some sweaty curls away from her forehead. "I love you so much, Sheridan."

Another contraction seizing her body, Sheridan took a deep breath in and bore down with all of her might. The pressure on her pelvic bones intensifying, she squeezed Luis's fingers tighter and tighter as their daughter's head began to emerge.

She could do this. She had to do this.

She had to get this baby out.

"Beautiful," Dr. Valerii said. "Keep pushing. Keep pushing."

Gritting her teeth, Sheridan gripped the bedsheet with her free hand, her fingernails piercing right through the cotton.

The baby's forehead catching between her thighs, tears sprang to Sheridan's eyes.

"That's it," Dr. Valerii encouraged her. "Take a breather."

"I love you." Luis nuzzled his nose against her temple. "I love you so much."

"I . . . love . . . you . . . too . . . Luis . . ."

Luis rubbed Sheridan's back.

Grimacing as another contraction tightened around her belly, Sheridan bore down again.

Her mouth falling open, she gripped the side of the bed as she pushed—as her daughter's forehead finally broke free and began to come forth into the world.

She . . . had . . . to keep . . . going . . .

She . . . just . . . had to . . . keep pushing . . . for a . . . few more . . . seconds . . .

She . . . had . . . to get . . . the head . . . out . . .

The baby's head finally bursting forth into the world, Sheridan collapsed against the bed.

"You're doing great," Luis said, tears in his eyes. "She's almost here."

"Just give me one more good push, and this will all be over," Dr. Valerii said. "You're at the finish line."

"I can't do it," Sheridan breathed.

Luis leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You can do anything you put your mind to, Sher. Haven't you already proven that?"

Fresh tears sprang to Sheridan's eyes.

He had so much faith in her. And he was right—after all this time—she finally had faith in herself.

Taking a deep breath in, Sheridan propped herself up on her elbows. Her hand gripping Luis's, she pushed with every last ounce of strength she had inside of her, gritting her teeth against the pain.

"That's it, Sheridan," Dr. Valerii encouraged her. "Keep pushing. Keep pushing."

Yelping, Sheridan grasped at the bedsheets. With one final warm, slick gush, her daughter finally slipped from her body.

Every muscle in Sheridan's body collapsed.

Luis squeezed her and kissed her cheek. "You did it, Sheridan!"

"Congratulations!" Dr. Valerii announced. "You have a beautiful baby girl."

Sheridan's vision blurred as Dr. Valerii raised their daughter up—the little girl's sweet baby cries drifting like a melody into Sheridan's ears.

A tear slipping down his face, Luis looked back at her. "She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"Would you like to help cut the cord, Dad?" Dr. Valerii asked.

"I'd love to," Luis answered, his eyes welling with fresh tears. Pressing a kiss to Sheridan's lips, he gently removed his arm from underneath her back and joined Dr. Valerii to cut the cord.

Sheridan's eyes blurred with more tears as she watched Dr. Valerii swaddle the baby and hand her to Luis. All the pain of the last few hours melting away as Luis placed their daughter in her arms.

Her heart swelling in her chest, Sheridan feathered a finger down her daughter's downy cheek—a rush of love diffusing through her body as the baby's face finally started to come into focus. The heart-shaped face, the tiny pink lips, the hazel eyes that looked so much like Luis's . . .

Scooting in next to Sheridan, Luis slipped his arms around her and kissed her shoulder.

"I feel like my heart is about to burst," Sheridan breathed. "I already love her so much."

"I do, too." His voice thick with emotion, Luis kissed Sheridan's cheek. "I love you both so much."