Clutching the gift in her hand, a soft brown teddy bear with a big blue bow, Daphne's excitement increased with each step. And when she reached Sheryl's room, she could hardly control her beating heart. Softly she knocked on the door and pushed it open.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

"Come in."

She walked into the room smiling at her friend. Sheryl was positively glowing as she cradled the pink bundle in her arms. And when Daphne moved toward the bed to get a closer look, the sight made her gasp. "Oh Sheryl, she's beautiful!"

The words were sincere, but they didn't come close to how beautiful the little girl really was.

"Come and meet Elizabeth."

Daphne's heart skipped a beat and it was hard to ignore the tinge of sadness. "Elizabeth was me Grammy Moon's name."

Sheryl smiled. "I know. That's why I picked it."

Daphne's eyebrows rose. "I don't understand."

"I know how much you loved your grandmother. You talk about her all the time; so much in fact that I feel like I knew her. And…. Well… you've done so much for me; always being there for me and listening to my problems… especially lately. I know I couldn't have been easy to deal with. Pregnant women usually aren't, from what I've heard. But I want you to be a part of Elizabeth's life and I couldn't think of a better way to do that than to name her after your grandmother."

Tears fell onto Daphne's cheeks and she stared at her friend in disbelief. But it only took seconds for Daphne to engulf Sheryl in a hug. "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much. This means so much to me. Thank you. I…"

A soft cry and movement reminded Daphne that they weren't alone and she gasped, stepping back. "Oh sod, have I hurt her?"

"No, she's fine."

"I'm sorry … I guess I got carried away. I-." she stopped when she got a closer look at the baby nestled between them. The angel with the cherubic face and soft black hair was the sweetest, most beautiful sight that Daphne had ever seen.

"Would you like to hold her?"

Daphne's eyebrows rose in surprise, for she hadn't expected this question. Elizabeth was barely a few hours old and it felt wrong. She should be with her mother, not with a stranger. And suddenly she couldn't help but feel nervous. She'd never held a baby before and she worried about doing or saying something that was wrong.

"Are you sure it's all right?"

"Of course it is." Sheryl replied. "Here… Just hold out your arms like this."

Before Daphne could respond, Elizabeth was placed in her arms. It was hard to believe that this moment was real. She smiled at the baby, lightly rubbing the sweet angel's cheek with her finger. She never expected it to feel as smooth as silk. "Aren't you sweet?" she whispered, hoping not to disturb the baby. But when Elizabeth smiled, Daphne's heart warmed. And then unexpectedly, Elizabeth's tiny hand grasped a strand of Daphne's hair, a gesture that made Daphne laugh. "You've got me hair, don't you?"

Suddenly the baby began to cry and the cheerful mood was broken. "I'm sorry, Sheryl. I was just playing with her. I didn't mean to upset her."

"You didn't. It's all right." Sheryl replied. "She's probably just hungry." Sheryl pushed a button and a nurse entered the room.

"How's our little one doing?"

"I think she's hungry." Sheryl said. "And I'm new at this, so…"

"Of course. Let me help you." The nurse said. "Just let me adjust your gown and we'll place your daughter close to your chest so you can feed her."

"I don't want to hurt her." Sheryl said, looking worriedly at the nurse and then at Daphne.

But the nurse amazingly understood Sheryl's fears.

"You won't. It's just a little scary the first time but trust me you'll get the hang of it. Al right, just hold still and I'll get this adjusted for you."

Daphne couldn't help watching as the nurse moved Sheryl's nightgown and placed the baby against her. Within seconds, Elizabeth was enjoying what must have been her first meal.

Daphne knew she should leave, because this was a private moment between mother and daughter. But she couldn't pull herself away. It was so beautiful and she wanted to stay and savor it forever. She smiled at the intimate moment and when the baby finished eating, Daphne kissed mother and daughter's cheeks and smiled.

"I should go."

"Oh please stay, Daphne." Sheryl pleaded. "We can talk for a while."

The nurse took Elisabeth, giving Sheryl one last opportunity to kiss her daughter and then carried the baby out of the room.

"No, I really should be going." Daphne said reluctantly. "You need to rest and time to bond with Elizabeth. I'm so happy for you and I'll see you soon. Oh! I almost forgot!"

"What?"

She turned and crossed the room clutching the teddy bear and returned to the bed. "This is for Elizabeth. It's a bit silly, but-"

Sheryl laughed and pressed the bear's soft fur against her cheek. "It's not silly at all. This is perfect. Elizabeth's first present. She'll love it. Thank you, Daphne. And thank you for coming."

Daphne kissed Sheryl's cheek and hugged her once more. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Now get some rest and I'll see you soon."

As Daphne walked out of the room she couldn't help brushing tears of happiness from her cheeks, and prayed that one day she'd be as happy as Sheryl.