Diane let out one last scream and gave Sam's already aching and pounding hand a hard, crushing squeeze. A few seconds of silence were broke by the cry of a newborn baby. Their newborn baby.
Exhausted Diane leaned back with closed eyes in pure relief. Sam on the other hand was more alive than ever and couldn't wait for the news of the gender. And shortly after they received it.
"Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. Malone. It's a beautiful 6 pound girl."
Both released a cheerful laughter and Sam placed a tender kiss on Diane's lips.
She let go of her tight- but not so tight anymore- grip, and Sam moved a few feet closer to his newborn daughter. With a smile, he was handed her from the doctor, who left shortly after and let the family on its own. Astonished and close to paralyzed by her beauty, Sam stood with open mouth and admired his little baby girl with pride in his eyes. Words couldn't express what he felt. He was on the top of the world.
"Sam, may I see her," Diane chuckled.
Sam had completely forgotten that Diane hadn't even seen her 'yet.
"Of course, of course! I'm sorry, it's just- God Diane. She's an angel."
He handed her over to Diane and sure enough, their daughter's beauty also astonished Diane and brought tears to her eyes.
"Oh, Sam. She's perfect," Diane whispered with cry in her voice.
"Yeah, no doubt there," he said and leaned in closer to see her open her eyes for what may be the first time, and sure enough, they were just like her mother: blue like the sky.
"Diane, she looks just like you."
Diane laughed and stroked her cheek while Sam ran a hand through her dark blond, curly hair.
"Are you disappointed?" Diane asked and turned her look for the first time in minutes to look at the father.
"Are you kidding? I've never been happier," Sam said.
"But, it's a girl. She has my eyes, my hair-"
"Everything is just like I wanted it to be," he said.
"I see your face expressions, though," she smiled and referred to the little one who made funny faces at the moment.
He laughed.
"We still need a name you know," she said.
"I know."
"I thought I'd leave the naming to you."
"Me? After all these months discussing names and you let me decide?" Sam said surprised.
"Well, I thought it'd be appropriate. I got my girl, you get the naming."
"I got my girl too, you know."
"You know what I mean," she smirked.
"If that's the case, I think-" he said and stopped to look at their daughter.
"I think we should name her... Grace."
"Grace. We haven't even discussed that name," she surprised.
"No, but it's the name I find appropriate for this gold nugget," he smiled and stroke their daughter.
"So do I," she smiled back.
She pulled him closer and they shared an 'appropriately' long kiss.
"I'm gonna find a phone and call the guys."
She smiled and nodded. He gave her a sweet kiss on the forehead and turned towards Grace before leaving.
"Daddy's gonna be back soon," he whispered and grabbed her hand and placed a kiss upon her forehead to. When he pulled back, she yawned and leaned closer to her mother.
Sam left silently and started searching for a payphone. In the end of the hall he found one.
He put some coins in it and dialed the number of Cheers. It only rang a few times before being picked up.
"Cheers."
"Hey, Woody."
"Sam!" a cheerful and exited Woody answered.
"Yeah, it's me-"
He didn't get to say more before he was interrupted by someone in the other end.
"What is it Sam, tell us!" an impatient Carla yelled.
"It's a girl."
"And the name?!"
"Grace."
"Quiet everyone!" he heard Carla yell followed by the bar's bell ringing. It got all quiet there.
"Sammy got a girl and her name's Grace."
Sam could hear the whole bar cheering, and pride rose inside. Somewhere in the bar he heard Norm and Cliff's voices yelling some deep 'Sammy's'.
"How are ya feeling, dad?" Carla asked cheerfully.
"Never been better," he said.
"How's whitey doing?" she asked a little more calmly.
"She's a bit exhausted. Nevertheless, very happy."
"So, tell me, Sam, she's hopefully looking just like you, right?"
"I think you better see her yourself," Sam said. He wouldn't wanna ruin Carla's mood.
"Fine. She better not be stick number 2," she snorted.
"I call tomorrow when things are a bit calmer," Sam said.
"Alright. Talk to later, Sam. And hey, congrats."
"Thank you."
"Congratulate 'you know' from me, will ya? Or more like, from everybody," Carla said a bit embarrassed.
"I will."
They hung up, and Sam made his way back to his girls.
He entered the room, and saw that Grace had fallen asleep in the arms of Diane.
"Hey," he whispered and sat down in the chair beside.
"Hi. How's the guys?"
"Cheerful," he laughed.
"That's nice," she smiled.
"And Carla or, everyone wish you a huge congrats."
"Oh, really? Carla."
"It was more like 'everyone'."
"Well, in that case, make sure to thank 'everyone'."
"I'll do that."
"Good," she chuckled.
"How is she?" he asked and nodded towards Grace.
"She fell asleep just after I finished feeding her. She was more tired than hungry," she giggled and yawned.
"You should get some rest yourself. I'll hold her until they come to get her."
"Thank you," she said and kissed him. "Take good care of her."
"Sure, sure, we'll go see a Celtics game while you rest."
"Ha ha," she said.
She carefully handed sleeping Grace over and laid down to rest.
Sam watched his daughter sleep as an angel. His right hand was close to hers and out of the sudden she grabbed his little finger. As she squeezed it in her sleep, Sam smiled bigger than ever. He'd never felt this kind of joy ever.
Sure, she appeared to be just like her mother at first sight, had her looks and all that, but that didn't bother him at all. It only made him smile even bigger. It made him realize just how much she meant to him. Diane.
And this little Grace of theirs would mean just as much to him. His Grace. Her Grace. Their Grace. She would share that special place in his heart with her mother.
And as the days passed by, she grew to become more and more like her father. It turned out to be a perfect mix of both parents.
But more about that later.