CHAPTER 78
Duncan and Amanda planned to move back to his place, but now Amanda refused to leave Beth
and Duncan knew that Methos would need support to keep from losing it. His friend blamed
himself for all of this.
As Cassandra predicted, the pain and cramping came in waves. The brew she showed Claudia
how to prepare, did help some ... as did the long hot baths and periodic times of sleep.
Barkley had to be literally forced to go outside, because he'd taken to lying beside her bed and
putting his head on the edge when he saw his mistress in so much pain. And he became wary of
anyone who came near her ... particularly Methos.
"Even the dog knows it's my fault." Methos complained to Duncan when his friend finally
convinced him to get out of the house while Beth was sleeping.
It was a cool and crisp early December morning and the snow had blanketed the city with fresh
groundcover the night before.
"Methos, she doesn't blame you." he tried to reason with him as they cooled off after their run.
"And I believe if she had known beforehand ... she would have still made the same decision. She
loves you and she wants to be with you."
Methos face contorted with emotion. "I don't deserve her ... or her child."
"Thank God we don't always get what we deserve." MacLeod replied soberly, but then his
expression changed to a half grin and then a laugh.
"What is so blasted funny MacLeod?"
"I was just wondering how long it will take before that little girl has you wrapped around her
finger." Duncan chuckled.
"I've been with women before who had children." Methos replied flatly, leaving out the fact that it
had been over 1,000 years ago and he'd never seen them as his own even though he did care for
them. They had been simply as an extension of their mothers.
"Not like this you haven't" Duncan replied with a smirk.
They were only a few blocks from the house when they saw Richie coming toward them.
"Why didn't you answer your cell?" he asked Methos impatiently.
"What?" Methos replied, pulling his phone out and cursing when he realized the battery was
dead.
"Forget about it! It's Beth … I called Cassandra, we think she's having the baby."
The phone was completely forgotten as Methos took off in a dead run for the house. He rushed
up the stairs and was in her room in mere seconds, gasping for air as Beth looked up at him with
a grin.
"Uhm … I think it's going to take awhile yet." Her smile reached her eyes, even though she was
still feeling the end of a labor pain.
He picked up a towel that had been draped over the back of the chair and began wiping off the
sweat from his run. "Do you think this is it? Are the pains different?" he asked.
"The pressure changed." She replied. "And everything I've read and heard tell me we're in the
home stretch … oh God why did I use that word?" Beth added, shaking her head at the thought of
what was about to happen. She was excited about having the baby, but after what she'd been
through the past week with the accelerated growth, she was concerned about how much strength
she had left for the delivery.
Adam couldn't help but laugh at her attempt to lighten both their moods. "Maybe it won't be so
bad." He offered, coming to sit on the edge of the bed and taking her hand. "And I'll be with you
…"
"I'm counting on it." She replied, kissing his knuckles. "Adam I'm so happy." She admitted, hoping
that once the baby was born he could quit blaming himself. He'd been right there with her almost
every hour of the day for over a week, helping her focus through the pain. But his eyes reflected
his own pain … the pain of guilt that comes from believing you are the cause of someone you
love's suffering.
"I want you to be happy." He replied, moving to caress her face … "I want to make you happy."
He finished, leaning in to kiss her tenderly.
"You do." Her lips whispered against his. And when the next pain hit, she was determined to not
let him feel it. She was determined to hang on to this one moment of connecting with him. She
wrapped her arms around his neck and let herself get lost in the feel of his hands running up her
back and into her hair as he deepened the kiss.
When he lifted his face from hers, he looked into her eyes and shook his head. "I don't deserve
you."
"Funny, that is what I was thinking … but it was me who didn't deserve being loved so completely
by you." She replied. And then as she felt the pain subside, she knew that the next one would be
more intense and wanted to prepare for it. "Adam … Cassandra will be here in a few minutes,
and this is going to take awhile. Why don't you get cleaned up and try to relax a little? It might be
awhile before you get another opportunity. I'll be fine for a few minutes … I promise."
He hated leaving her for even a second, but when he heard Cassandra's voice downstairs,
decided to do as she asked. It would probably be less awkward if he gave them a few minutes
alone before he put in an appearance. He gave her nose a little tweak, making her laugh, before
taking a fresh change of clothes from the dresser and going down the hall.
Amanda came upstairs with Cassandra, who immediately started asking her if she'd put together
everything they had discussed needing for the delivery. Amanda had indeed prepared well and
now it was just a matter of waiting.
Beth appreciated what Cassandra was doing for her. She'd always thought she'd have her baby
in a hospital, and was a bit frightened at the thought of doing this at home. But Amanda and
Cassandra assured her that women were doing this long before any form of medical assistance
was available, and they would know … having been there.
"I know this is uncomfortable for you Cassandra …" Beth began, in between contractions. "And in
your place … I can't say I would feel any differently, or that I could do what you are doing …
knowing …"
Cassandra cut her off. "I'm not doing this for him. I'm doing it because you are a kind person and I
like you … and I suppose you can't help where your heart lies. And I'm doing it because …
delivering a new life into this world reminds me of how simple and basic real happiness is. I may
not be able to have any children of my own, but I have been the first hands to touch hundreds.
That is where real immortality comes from, in the lives you touch …" she finished, looking up to
see Methos standing in the doorway as she said her last words.
"A lesson we'd all do well to have learned sooner …" He commented simply. "Thank you for
coming."
Cassandra didn't say anything, but abruptly turned to finish timing the last contraction.
Duncan, Richie and Claudia waited downstairs. There was no way to tell how long this might
take.
Adam sat at the head of the bed, beside Beth and supporting her back when the time came for
her to begin pushing. Amanda kept the fresh towels coming as well as the cool cloth to bathe
Beth's face and arms.
Beth gripped one of Adam's hands in her own as the baby slowly began to emerge.
"Oh my goodness … look at all the hair." Amanda exclaimed, and Beth couldn't help but laugh
through the pain. She couldn't see, but from the look on her friend's face, she could imagine.
"Just one more big push when I tell you." Cassandra said, her face serious but her eyes
encouraging.
"I can do one more." Beth said in a determined voice, focusing on Adam's face as he helped her
sit back up to get in position.
"That's my girl." He encouraged her. "You're doing so well … so well. It's almost over."
"Now push hard Beth." Cassandra ordered and Beth gave out a deep cry as she pushed as hard
as she could, realizing the instant her daughter was completely free.
"She's beautiful." Amanda gasped, her eyes filled with tears. Cassandra cradled the tiny form in
her hands and didn't have to try and force the babe to breathe, because the child let out a strong
cry of protest the instant she left the warmth and security of her mother's womb.
"Adam. Oh my God." Exhausted, Beth clung to his arm as she tried to see her daughter. "She is
so tiny … can you see? Is everything all right?" her eyes moved from Adam's to Cassandra's and
then back at the little wiggling form.
"She's perfect sweetheart, just like her mother." Adam's emotion filled voice replied as he kissed
her damp forehead, his eyes never leaving the child.
Cassandra clamped the cord, and was about to cut it when she looked up at the two of them.
Beth appeared to be truly happy … and Methos … Methos did not remotely resemble the man
she knew. The tears in his eyes were genuine and the love on his face … what she wouldn't have
given if …" shaking the thought from her head, she looked up at him.
"You might want to do this." She said, holding the child in one hand and the medical scissors in
the other.
Methos was dumbstruck. Cassandra didn't have to make an offer so profound as the opportunity
to complete the delivery of Beth's child … their child. He stared at her for a second and then
moved to take the scissors, cutting through the cord completely before Cassandra placed the still
very wet but towel covered baby into his large hands.
He smiled with a gasp and his eyes filled with tears as he stared down at the tiny pink face and
pouting mouth. He couldn't help but think about how amazing this tiny little creature was. And
even though he knew the child was not his, in that moment he felt a profound paternal connection
to her as he kissed her soft, damp hair.
The sound of the child whimpering brought him back into the moment and he immediately moved
to place the baby into the outstretched hands of it's Mother. Beth felt her heart skip a beat the
second she saw him take the baby. If there had been any doubt about his love for the child being
more than just an extension of his love for her … the look on his face completely erased it. And
when he kissed the baby, Beth thought her heart would melt.
Amanda didn't have to call down the stairs because Duncan, Richie and Claudia were already
halfway up them, having heard the child cry. And Joe, who arrived a short time before shuffled up
behind them.
Amanda and Cassandra managed to clean Beth up and remove the evidence of the birth in a
matter of a few minutes, while the little family was oblivious to anyone or anything but one
another.
"Let's get her cleaned up now." Cassandra said finally, reaching for the baby. Beth reluctantly let
her go, and immediately turned and buried her face in Adam's shirt, crying tears of joy and relief
and exhaustion as he held her tightly.
His eyes never left the child as he held Beth. He watched as Cassandra dipped the baby into the
bath they'd prepared earlier and as she counted each toe and finger. And he whispered to Beth
his suspicion that their sleepless nights might just be starting as he listened to the strength of the
baby's cry.
Once all the necessary tasks had been performed, Cassandra put a tiny diaper on the baby and
wrapped it in the soft pink blanket Beth had made when she was sixteen years old … preparing
for this day.
"Her adoring public awaits." Amanda said, waiting until the baby was back in it's Mother's arms
before opening the door for the others.
Claudia covered her mouth as she saw the little arms begin to flail. "Oh my God Beth, she is so
beautiful." She whispered.
Duncan and Richie were just as awestruck. "Wow" Richie said as Beth told them they could come
closer. "Look at that red hair. Where did she get that?" He couldn't help but smile and run his
hand through his own flaming locks.
"That's auburn thank you very much." Beth laughed as she leaned down to kiss the baby's head.
"And she got it from her Grandma and her Auntie Chris." The thought of her Mom and sister
made her begin to cry. She'd always thought they would be the one's holding her hand when she
had her babies.
Adam guessed what she was thinking and whispered how much he loved her, and reached to
wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I'm ok … " she said, looking up at him through the bittersweet
tears.
"Have you thought of a name?" Duncan asked, stepping forward finally and reaching across the
bed to stroke the baby's cheek with his finger.
Beth looked up at Adam and he nodded.
"Craig's mother's name was Irene. She died when he was young and we always decided that
would be part of the name we'd choose if we had a girl." Beth began. "And since I chose the
middle name, I wanted Adam to select the first."
Adam wished she hadn't phrased it that way, but it was obvious she wanted him to do the honor
of announcing their decision. He hadn't wanted the responsibility of selecting the name, but Beth
insisted. He gave it a great deal of thought, and didn't know what made him think of this, but once
the idea had taken hold … nothing else seemed right. But this was going to be awkward.
"We came so close to not making it to this moment." He began, looking down at Beth who was
nestled in one of his arms and the baby in hers. "and without our friends … we might not have.
Our baby will be blessed with a wealth of Aunts and Uncles who will help us guide and protect her
as she grows." he looked up at each of them, and then turned to Cassandra.
"We may not be what anyone would define as friends … but if you hadn't done what you did, I
know this dream would have ended as a nightmare on that factory floor." He continued sincerely.
Cassandra shifted nervously as she listened.
"I'm sorry Cassandra. I deserved a fate worse than death for what I did to you … and to your
people. There are many things in my life I am not proud of, and what happened then ... is one of
my deepest regrets." He continued. "I know if you didn't care about Beth, you would probably
believe this to be an insult … you still might, but it's meant as the highest compliment an
undeserving man such as I can manage." He swallowed hard, unaccustomed to apologizing …
let alone acknowledging his shortcomings in front of everyone he cared about.
Sighing deeply, Adam took the baby from Beth's arms and held her up for them to see her face.
"May I present Cassandra Irene Pierson … the shining peace of our lives." He finished, sharing
the meaning behind each name.
The room let out a collective gasp. That was the last thing anyone expected, but in a way they all
understood. "That's a beautiful name." Joe replied, and Duncan agreed.
Cassandra stared at the baby and at Methos, her mouth open in complete shock. She shook her
head and turned to rush out of the room, wiping her eyes as she ran down the steps and out of
the house. The cold crisp air awakened her senses and she looked up at the rapidly setting sun,
trying to get a grip on what she was feeling.
"Chalk one more up to my crass insensitivity." Adam muttered.
Beth was a little surprised by Cassandra's reaction and by what she saw in her eyes. But she
knew in her heart that the name he selected had been the right one. "She'll be fine once she has
a chance to think about all you said. And the baby's name is perfect. When I saw her red hair, so
like Cassandra's, it confirmed in my heart that what you had chosen was meant to be." she
assured him.
"We're going to call her Cassie for short." Beth added with a smile as she took in the site of the
friends that meant so much to them.
The baby started to fuss and that was everyone's cue to give Amanda and the new mother some
privacy so she could finish cleaning up before trying to feed the baby for the first time.
"I'm going to bring you some soup. You'll need it to regain your strength." Adam said, reluctantly
leaving but knowing that she would want some privacy as she cleaned up and changed into a
fresh gown.
"Don't be too long." Beth replied, as her eyes gazed up into his.
"I love you Beth." He whispered, dropping a kiss on her lips and the baby's soft head. And when
he left, neither Beth nor Amanda missed the way he wiped his eyes as he stepped out into the
hallway.
Duncan and Amanda planned to move back to his place, but now Amanda refused to leave Beth
and Duncan knew that Methos would need support to keep from losing it. His friend blamed
himself for all of this.
As Cassandra predicted, the pain and cramping came in waves. The brew she showed Claudia
how to prepare, did help some ... as did the long hot baths and periodic times of sleep.
Barkley had to be literally forced to go outside, because he'd taken to lying beside her bed and
putting his head on the edge when he saw his mistress in so much pain. And he became wary of
anyone who came near her ... particularly Methos.
"Even the dog knows it's my fault." Methos complained to Duncan when his friend finally
convinced him to get out of the house while Beth was sleeping.
It was a cool and crisp early December morning and the snow had blanketed the city with fresh
groundcover the night before.
"Methos, she doesn't blame you." he tried to reason with him as they cooled off after their run.
"And I believe if she had known beforehand ... she would have still made the same decision. She
loves you and she wants to be with you."
Methos face contorted with emotion. "I don't deserve her ... or her child."
"Thank God we don't always get what we deserve." MacLeod replied soberly, but then his
expression changed to a half grin and then a laugh.
"What is so blasted funny MacLeod?"
"I was just wondering how long it will take before that little girl has you wrapped around her
finger." Duncan chuckled.
"I've been with women before who had children." Methos replied flatly, leaving out the fact that it
had been over 1,000 years ago and he'd never seen them as his own even though he did care for
them. They had been simply as an extension of their mothers.
"Not like this you haven't" Duncan replied with a smirk.
They were only a few blocks from the house when they saw Richie coming toward them.
"Why didn't you answer your cell?" he asked Methos impatiently.
"What?" Methos replied, pulling his phone out and cursing when he realized the battery was
dead.
"Forget about it! It's Beth … I called Cassandra, we think she's having the baby."
The phone was completely forgotten as Methos took off in a dead run for the house. He rushed
up the stairs and was in her room in mere seconds, gasping for air as Beth looked up at him with
a grin.
"Uhm … I think it's going to take awhile yet." Her smile reached her eyes, even though she was
still feeling the end of a labor pain.
He picked up a towel that had been draped over the back of the chair and began wiping off the
sweat from his run. "Do you think this is it? Are the pains different?" he asked.
"The pressure changed." She replied. "And everything I've read and heard tell me we're in the
home stretch … oh God why did I use that word?" Beth added, shaking her head at the thought of
what was about to happen. She was excited about having the baby, but after what she'd been
through the past week with the accelerated growth, she was concerned about how much strength
she had left for the delivery.
Adam couldn't help but laugh at her attempt to lighten both their moods. "Maybe it won't be so
bad." He offered, coming to sit on the edge of the bed and taking her hand. "And I'll be with you
…"
"I'm counting on it." She replied, kissing his knuckles. "Adam I'm so happy." She admitted, hoping
that once the baby was born he could quit blaming himself. He'd been right there with her almost
every hour of the day for over a week, helping her focus through the pain. But his eyes reflected
his own pain … the pain of guilt that comes from believing you are the cause of someone you
love's suffering.
"I want you to be happy." He replied, moving to caress her face … "I want to make you happy."
He finished, leaning in to kiss her tenderly.
"You do." Her lips whispered against his. And when the next pain hit, she was determined to not
let him feel it. She was determined to hang on to this one moment of connecting with him. She
wrapped her arms around his neck and let herself get lost in the feel of his hands running up her
back and into her hair as he deepened the kiss.
When he lifted his face from hers, he looked into her eyes and shook his head. "I don't deserve
you."
"Funny, that is what I was thinking … but it was me who didn't deserve being loved so completely
by you." She replied. And then as she felt the pain subside, she knew that the next one would be
more intense and wanted to prepare for it. "Adam … Cassandra will be here in a few minutes,
and this is going to take awhile. Why don't you get cleaned up and try to relax a little? It might be
awhile before you get another opportunity. I'll be fine for a few minutes … I promise."
He hated leaving her for even a second, but when he heard Cassandra's voice downstairs,
decided to do as she asked. It would probably be less awkward if he gave them a few minutes
alone before he put in an appearance. He gave her nose a little tweak, making her laugh, before
taking a fresh change of clothes from the dresser and going down the hall.
Amanda came upstairs with Cassandra, who immediately started asking her if she'd put together
everything they had discussed needing for the delivery. Amanda had indeed prepared well and
now it was just a matter of waiting.
Beth appreciated what Cassandra was doing for her. She'd always thought she'd have her baby
in a hospital, and was a bit frightened at the thought of doing this at home. But Amanda and
Cassandra assured her that women were doing this long before any form of medical assistance
was available, and they would know … having been there.
"I know this is uncomfortable for you Cassandra …" Beth began, in between contractions. "And in
your place … I can't say I would feel any differently, or that I could do what you are doing …
knowing …"
Cassandra cut her off. "I'm not doing this for him. I'm doing it because you are a kind person and I
like you … and I suppose you can't help where your heart lies. And I'm doing it because …
delivering a new life into this world reminds me of how simple and basic real happiness is. I may
not be able to have any children of my own, but I have been the first hands to touch hundreds.
That is where real immortality comes from, in the lives you touch …" she finished, looking up to
see Methos standing in the doorway as she said her last words.
"A lesson we'd all do well to have learned sooner …" He commented simply. "Thank you for
coming."
Cassandra didn't say anything, but abruptly turned to finish timing the last contraction.
Duncan, Richie and Claudia waited downstairs. There was no way to tell how long this might
take.
Adam sat at the head of the bed, beside Beth and supporting her back when the time came for
her to begin pushing. Amanda kept the fresh towels coming as well as the cool cloth to bathe
Beth's face and arms.
Beth gripped one of Adam's hands in her own as the baby slowly began to emerge.
"Oh my goodness … look at all the hair." Amanda exclaimed, and Beth couldn't help but laugh
through the pain. She couldn't see, but from the look on her friend's face, she could imagine.
"Just one more big push when I tell you." Cassandra said, her face serious but her eyes
encouraging.
"I can do one more." Beth said in a determined voice, focusing on Adam's face as he helped her
sit back up to get in position.
"That's my girl." He encouraged her. "You're doing so well … so well. It's almost over."
"Now push hard Beth." Cassandra ordered and Beth gave out a deep cry as she pushed as hard
as she could, realizing the instant her daughter was completely free.
"She's beautiful." Amanda gasped, her eyes filled with tears. Cassandra cradled the tiny form in
her hands and didn't have to try and force the babe to breathe, because the child let out a strong
cry of protest the instant she left the warmth and security of her mother's womb.
"Adam. Oh my God." Exhausted, Beth clung to his arm as she tried to see her daughter. "She is
so tiny … can you see? Is everything all right?" her eyes moved from Adam's to Cassandra's and
then back at the little wiggling form.
"She's perfect sweetheart, just like her mother." Adam's emotion filled voice replied as he kissed
her damp forehead, his eyes never leaving the child.
Cassandra clamped the cord, and was about to cut it when she looked up at the two of them.
Beth appeared to be truly happy … and Methos … Methos did not remotely resemble the man
she knew. The tears in his eyes were genuine and the love on his face … what she wouldn't have
given if …" shaking the thought from her head, she looked up at him.
"You might want to do this." She said, holding the child in one hand and the medical scissors in
the other.
Methos was dumbstruck. Cassandra didn't have to make an offer so profound as the opportunity
to complete the delivery of Beth's child … their child. He stared at her for a second and then
moved to take the scissors, cutting through the cord completely before Cassandra placed the still
very wet but towel covered baby into his large hands.
He smiled with a gasp and his eyes filled with tears as he stared down at the tiny pink face and
pouting mouth. He couldn't help but think about how amazing this tiny little creature was. And
even though he knew the child was not his, in that moment he felt a profound paternal connection
to her as he kissed her soft, damp hair.
The sound of the child whimpering brought him back into the moment and he immediately moved
to place the baby into the outstretched hands of it's Mother. Beth felt her heart skip a beat the
second she saw him take the baby. If there had been any doubt about his love for the child being
more than just an extension of his love for her … the look on his face completely erased it. And
when he kissed the baby, Beth thought her heart would melt.
Amanda didn't have to call down the stairs because Duncan, Richie and Claudia were already
halfway up them, having heard the child cry. And Joe, who arrived a short time before shuffled up
behind them.
Amanda and Cassandra managed to clean Beth up and remove the evidence of the birth in a
matter of a few minutes, while the little family was oblivious to anyone or anything but one
another.
"Let's get her cleaned up now." Cassandra said finally, reaching for the baby. Beth reluctantly let
her go, and immediately turned and buried her face in Adam's shirt, crying tears of joy and relief
and exhaustion as he held her tightly.
His eyes never left the child as he held Beth. He watched as Cassandra dipped the baby into the
bath they'd prepared earlier and as she counted each toe and finger. And he whispered to Beth
his suspicion that their sleepless nights might just be starting as he listened to the strength of the
baby's cry.
Once all the necessary tasks had been performed, Cassandra put a tiny diaper on the baby and
wrapped it in the soft pink blanket Beth had made when she was sixteen years old … preparing
for this day.
"Her adoring public awaits." Amanda said, waiting until the baby was back in it's Mother's arms
before opening the door for the others.
Claudia covered her mouth as she saw the little arms begin to flail. "Oh my God Beth, she is so
beautiful." She whispered.
Duncan and Richie were just as awestruck. "Wow" Richie said as Beth told them they could come
closer. "Look at that red hair. Where did she get that?" He couldn't help but smile and run his
hand through his own flaming locks.
"That's auburn thank you very much." Beth laughed as she leaned down to kiss the baby's head.
"And she got it from her Grandma and her Auntie Chris." The thought of her Mom and sister
made her begin to cry. She'd always thought they would be the one's holding her hand when she
had her babies.
Adam guessed what she was thinking and whispered how much he loved her, and reached to
wipe the tears from her cheeks. "I'm ok … " she said, looking up at him through the bittersweet
tears.
"Have you thought of a name?" Duncan asked, stepping forward finally and reaching across the
bed to stroke the baby's cheek with his finger.
Beth looked up at Adam and he nodded.
"Craig's mother's name was Irene. She died when he was young and we always decided that
would be part of the name we'd choose if we had a girl." Beth began. "And since I chose the
middle name, I wanted Adam to select the first."
Adam wished she hadn't phrased it that way, but it was obvious she wanted him to do the honor
of announcing their decision. He hadn't wanted the responsibility of selecting the name, but Beth
insisted. He gave it a great deal of thought, and didn't know what made him think of this, but once
the idea had taken hold … nothing else seemed right. But this was going to be awkward.
"We came so close to not making it to this moment." He began, looking down at Beth who was
nestled in one of his arms and the baby in hers. "and without our friends … we might not have.
Our baby will be blessed with a wealth of Aunts and Uncles who will help us guide and protect her
as she grows." he looked up at each of them, and then turned to Cassandra.
"We may not be what anyone would define as friends … but if you hadn't done what you did, I
know this dream would have ended as a nightmare on that factory floor." He continued sincerely.
Cassandra shifted nervously as she listened.
"I'm sorry Cassandra. I deserved a fate worse than death for what I did to you … and to your
people. There are many things in my life I am not proud of, and what happened then ... is one of
my deepest regrets." He continued. "I know if you didn't care about Beth, you would probably
believe this to be an insult … you still might, but it's meant as the highest compliment an
undeserving man such as I can manage." He swallowed hard, unaccustomed to apologizing …
let alone acknowledging his shortcomings in front of everyone he cared about.
Sighing deeply, Adam took the baby from Beth's arms and held her up for them to see her face.
"May I present Cassandra Irene Pierson … the shining peace of our lives." He finished, sharing
the meaning behind each name.
The room let out a collective gasp. That was the last thing anyone expected, but in a way they all
understood. "That's a beautiful name." Joe replied, and Duncan agreed.
Cassandra stared at the baby and at Methos, her mouth open in complete shock. She shook her
head and turned to rush out of the room, wiping her eyes as she ran down the steps and out of
the house. The cold crisp air awakened her senses and she looked up at the rapidly setting sun,
trying to get a grip on what she was feeling.
"Chalk one more up to my crass insensitivity." Adam muttered.
Beth was a little surprised by Cassandra's reaction and by what she saw in her eyes. But she
knew in her heart that the name he selected had been the right one. "She'll be fine once she has
a chance to think about all you said. And the baby's name is perfect. When I saw her red hair, so
like Cassandra's, it confirmed in my heart that what you had chosen was meant to be." she
assured him.
"We're going to call her Cassie for short." Beth added with a smile as she took in the site of the
friends that meant so much to them.
The baby started to fuss and that was everyone's cue to give Amanda and the new mother some
privacy so she could finish cleaning up before trying to feed the baby for the first time.
"I'm going to bring you some soup. You'll need it to regain your strength." Adam said, reluctantly
leaving but knowing that she would want some privacy as she cleaned up and changed into a
fresh gown.
"Don't be too long." Beth replied, as her eyes gazed up into his.
"I love you Beth." He whispered, dropping a kiss on her lips and the baby's soft head. And when
he left, neither Beth nor Amanda missed the way he wiped his eyes as he stepped out into the
hallway.