Author's Note: This fic follows the episode "Star Mitzvah." The beginning flashbacks are set right after the episode. I'd like to thank my little Stephiekins for helping me work through little kinks in my plot and for playing the role of my muse!
A Breath of New Life
by Bethany
Prologue
Some days mirror snow globes -- life is shaken up until you start to think it can't handle anymore. Then, miraculously, the most beautiful scene appears before you. You want to grasp on to that moment, savor it's every worth, hold on to it for as long as it will let you, fearing the inevitable downfall that is expected to occur only seconds later. When accustomed to days like these, it's hard to acknowledge a happy ending as anything more than a futile fantasy.
Silently, as I fought for breath, I prayed to God that today would be the day in which that fantasy came true.
"Push!" Was all I could hear, as my head thrashed back in agony. Beads of sweat trickled down my brow and I clutched my teeth drastically as I weakly grabbed hold of Frasier's arm, feeling every muscle in my body give in to the fatigue. "I can't..." I whispered to him, knowing full well the ridiculous nature of my confession. I had no other choice, but somehow I tried convincing myself if I said it wasn't possible, I could avoid it all together.
"Lilith, just once more..." His voice was pleading, yet comforting at the same time. "And it will all be over." Over. That was what I was afraid of. And then, before I had time to think, the next turn of events all blurred together, as my nails immediately dug into the carpet. Several moments later, I was falling back among the pillows, with the joyous sound of cries filling the background. It all seemed to happen too quickly, as I felt a warm kiss pressed against my forehead, and the child swaddled in a pink blanket gently placed into my arms. "Lilith, she's beautiful." Frasier's voice was calming, trying to ease the cries of the infant he gazed down at. "Our little girl... our healthy, beautiful little girl."
I took my first glimpse at my tiny daughter and suddenly time seemed to stop. The past began to heal, and the future began to flourish through the innocence of the small child I cradled in my arms. As I looked down at my baby, the past flooded through my mind, and I couldn't help but look back on all the trials and tribulations through which she came to be.
A Breath of New Life
by Bethany
Prologue
Some days mirror snow globes -- life is shaken up until you start to think it can't handle anymore. Then, miraculously, the most beautiful scene appears before you. You want to grasp on to that moment, savor it's every worth, hold on to it for as long as it will let you, fearing the inevitable downfall that is expected to occur only seconds later. When accustomed to days like these, it's hard to acknowledge a happy ending as anything more than a futile fantasy.
Silently, as I fought for breath, I prayed to God that today would be the day in which that fantasy came true.
"Push!" Was all I could hear, as my head thrashed back in agony. Beads of sweat trickled down my brow and I clutched my teeth drastically as I weakly grabbed hold of Frasier's arm, feeling every muscle in my body give in to the fatigue. "I can't..." I whispered to him, knowing full well the ridiculous nature of my confession. I had no other choice, but somehow I tried convincing myself if I said it wasn't possible, I could avoid it all together.
"Lilith, just once more..." His voice was pleading, yet comforting at the same time. "And it will all be over." Over. That was what I was afraid of. And then, before I had time to think, the next turn of events all blurred together, as my nails immediately dug into the carpet. Several moments later, I was falling back among the pillows, with the joyous sound of cries filling the background. It all seemed to happen too quickly, as I felt a warm kiss pressed against my forehead, and the child swaddled in a pink blanket gently placed into my arms. "Lilith, she's beautiful." Frasier's voice was calming, trying to ease the cries of the infant he gazed down at. "Our little girl... our healthy, beautiful little girl."
I took my first glimpse at my tiny daughter and suddenly time seemed to stop. The past began to heal, and the future began to flourish through the innocence of the small child I cradled in my arms. As I looked down at my baby, the past flooded through my mind, and I couldn't help but look back on all the trials and tribulations through which she came to be.