Jack paced the length of the front porch, his own nervous energy pushing him to the brink of rage. He stopped her the cabin door and leaned the side of his fist against the wood, listening intently for any sound from inside. When he heard nothing, he pushed back and cursed under his breath before resuming his march.

Aaroon sat on the top step, whittling at a stick of wood with his knife. "I remember when my Beloved birthed Trallen. Like you, I was nervous and unable to rest. It is your first. You need to learn patience, my friend."

"This isn't my first," Jack said, and immediately regretted saying anything. But his mind wasn't on Aaroon, or the conversations, or anything but Sam insides the cabin.

Aaroon stopped his whittling and looked up at Jack, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. Jack leaned his arm high on one of the porch posts and momentarily rested his head in the bend of his elbow. Finally, he took a deep breath and sat down beside Aaroon.

"I had a son named Charlie."

"With Samantha?"

"No." Jack shook his head and picked up a piece of straw from the ground to twirl between his fingers. "I was married -- joined -- before. Sara. We had a son."

"Had..."

"He died."

Aaroon set his hand on Jack's shoulder, squeezing it firmly. "I am sorry, my friend. There is no greater pain a man must endure than the loss of a child."

Jack nodded and swallowed. His throat was thick and tight, and his blood felt like it was electrified, the need to be with her almost overpowering.

"You will not feel that pain again, Jack. You and Samantha began your union beneath the Ornorean, and your child is given life in its light. You are a doubly blessed man."

Jack rubbed his face roughly with his hands, then rested his elbows on his knees. "You have no idea, my friend."

They sat in silence again, with only the sound of Aaroon's knife on wood. Jack practically jumped to his feet when the cabin door opened, and Sarai stepped onto the porch.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

"Jack, you should come in."

"Why? What's wrong?"

Sarai smiled, and touched his arm. "You should come because your Beloved has, in no uncertain terms, informed me that she refuses to birth this baby unless you are by her side."

Jack brushed past Sarai and nearly ran to the bedroom. The door was already open and he went immediately to Sam's side. She looked pale and tired, her blonde hair slicked to her forehead, and as he neared the bed, she reached for him.

"Jack..."

Jack knelt on the floor beside her, holding her hand to his lips, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Sam... you okay?"

She smiled and laughed softly. "Sure. Great. You?"

"I heard you're making demands."

Sam swallowed, and blinked slowly, her eyelids lying heavy over her eyes. "I don't care what they do here, I want you with me."

"Thank God. I was about to go insane--"

Jack stopped when Sam's features twisted in pain and she arched on the bed. "Holy Hannah..." she hissed out.

"Sarai!" Jack yelled, and the woman ran in.

"Have you decided you are ready?" Sarai said with a smile.

Sam nodded violently against the pillow. "Oh, yeah." Her grip on Jack's hand tightened and she moaned softly through her teeth. "Now would be good."

Jack focused only on Sam for the next half hour as she fought with all the strength he knew she had to bring their baby into the world. His chest hurt from the intense fear and joy that warred for dominance inside him. He stroked Sam's hair and wiped her face with a cool cloth, whispering to her how much he loved her, and prayed like he hadn't prayed in years.

With one final, long push Sam collapsed back on the bed and the furious cries of a newborn echoed through the room. Jack let his head drop to the mattress beside Sam's shoulder, blinking hard to keep from embarrassing himself. He looked up as Sarai bundled the baby, seeing only flailing arms and legs.

Jack held his breath as Sarai carried the baby to them. "You have been blessed with a girl," Sarai said as she lay the baby against Sam's side between them.

"Oh, Jack. She's beautiful," Sam whispered, tears running from her eyes.

Jack realized he was doing the same, but didn't care. He sniffed loudly and smiled, reaching out to touch his daughter's chubby cheek. Her eyes were already closed, and her rosebud lips curled in a pout. He was amazed at the softness of her skin and the downy fluff of blonde hair on her head.

"She looks like her mom, so yeah, she's beautiful."

He raised his face to look at Sam, meeting her tired gaze. Sarai touched his shoulder and he looked up.

"Why don't you take the little one into the other room, Papa, while I do what needs to be done here. You can come back in just a few minutes. She may be ready to eat by then."

Jack nodded silently, and kissed Sam gently before standing and cradling his daughter in his arms. Aaroon was inside now, adding a log to the fire, and he looked up as Jack came out of the bedroom.

"Good wishes to you, my friend!" he said enthusiastically, standing straight. "So, let's have it. Son or daughter?"

"A girl," Jack said, finally finding his voice again.

Aaroon slapped his shoulder. "What did I say? You are a blessed man, Jack."

Jack nodded and sat down in the rocking chair near the fire. As he gazed at his daughter's face, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes as blue as Sam's. They stared at each other, seeming to assess the new face, and Jack smiled as she yawned, smacking her delicate lips.

"Jack, you can come back now," Sarai said from the bedroom door. "Samantha is fine. She is a strong woman. But she must stay in bed for at least three days, no matter what she says."

Jack smiled. Sarai knew his wife pretty well. Sam was a stubborn woman, nearly as stubborn as him. "Understood."

"We will go, and leave the three of you. If you need anything, I am not far."

Jack nodded and was back in the bedroom before the front door closed. Sam lay partially reclined on the bed, a stack of pillows behind her head, and her eyes were closed. Jack walked to his side of the bed, and with gentle care, laid down beside her. She opened her eyes and smiled.

"You're back."

"Did I go somewhere?"

She shook her head, blinking slowly. Using one free arm, Jack moved up beside Sam and sat with his back against the headboard. Sam shifted with a wince into the space against his side and took the baby. With his wife in his arms and their daughter nestled against her breast, Jack watched his daughter greedily suck down her first meal.

"We need a name," Sam said as she stroked the downy head.

"Can I make a suggestion?"

Sam looked up at him with a smile. "Of course."

"Hannah. As in Holy."

Her smile spread. "I love it."

Jack kissed her temple and her lips, then leaned down to press a kiss to Hannah's hair. "Hannah it is."

He held them all night, as his wife and daughter slept and Jack realized he had never been happier in his entire life. Even guys who have screwed up more times than even God could count sometimes get second chances. Jack looked down at Sam, stroking her hair with his fingertips. Her eyes opened and she tipped her head back to look at him.

"I love you, Sam," he whispered, fighting to get past the lump in his throat and the ever-expanding heart in his chest. "A lot more than..."

She smiled. "A lot more than you're supposed to?"

Jack chuckled and looked down as his fingers swirled in Hannah's hair. "A lot more than I know how to say."

Sam reached up and rested her hand on his cheek, her thumb stroking his skin. She urged him to look up again, and looked into his eyes. "You do just fine, Jack."

Sam rested her head against his shoulder and slipped back into sleep. Jack ran his fingers over her hair and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you," he whispered against her skin.