"Maria, we were so worried!" Madre cries, pulling me close to her, "Anita called us from the hospital to tell us you were okay. Why did you leave? Shame on Inca and Tio for not watching out for you!"

"Madre," I sigh, sick of her nerves, "I'm going to have a baby. I'm not the one who needs to be babysat. I had to stop the fight with the gangs. No one else was going to!"

"That doesn't mean you go running off late at night while pregnant! You are to stay in bed for now on until the doctor says you can get up."

"Madre!"

"She can stay with me next door," cuts in Anita, intervening on my behalf. "I'll make sure she gets plenty of rest and doesn't leave. Bueno."

Anita rushes into my room and grabs an extra blanket before ushering me into her apartment. I turn to her in relief.

"Gracias Anita. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Maria," she stays sternly, placing her hands on my shoulders, "you have to be more careful now. Your parents fear for your safety now that several of the Sharks have been arrested."

"I know," I sigh, slumping down onto her bed. "Is it always going to be like this? The baby will be coming sometime soon and I'll be confined to my home with no freedom. I can't live like that, Anita. Tony offered me a chance to leave and I lost it."

Anita gently embraces me. "Just rest for a while here. You need to save your strength."

After she leaves me to be alone, I reluctantly tuck myself in bed turning over on my side. Behind the door, I hear Anita's phone conversation with Consuela. She is informing her that Tio, her boyfriend, has been arrested. I had stopped a fight, but tensions are still very high among the Sharks and Jets. I may have just made things worse.

"Santa Maria," I murmur to a small painting of Our Lady beside Anita's bed, "What should I do? Everytime I try to help, someone I care about gets hurt."

I let the silence sink in, drawing from deep inner strength. There's a will that's always been there, buried inside of me. I felt it break the moment Chino's gun went off and all my dreams were shattered. Now, this child is a renewing hope, a reminder of what I still have to offer the world. I drift off to sleep before I can think about getting out of bed to ease my restless soul.

Distant bells are ringing. I am clothed all in white, entering the old church of Santa Juan Diego in Puerto Rico where I had received my first communion. Standing intermixed together in the pews are the Sharks and the Jets. Waiting to walk me down the aisle is my smiling brother Bernardo. Gently he takes my hand and we slowly proceed down the floral path together. At the end is Anita and Baby John standing there together. By the time I quickly reach the altar, I realize Tony isn't there.

"Tony?" I ask the priest, "Where is Tony?"

He is uncertain, opening his prayer book anyway. "Well I guess we'll have to begin without him."

"No, we can't!" I throw my flowers onto the floor in fustration. This is ridiculous. Where is he? Suddenly I turn around to see a little child running down the aisle toward me. I can't tell if it's a boy or girl. The light is too bright. I can already hear the priest beginning the vows.

"No, not without Tony!" I cry out. I need to know who this child is. I begin running toward them.

"Maria, wake up!" I hear Anita's voice from afar. No I must reach the child. Too late, my eyelids snap open. I realize my body is getting ready for labor. I see Anita's face close to mine trying to calm me.

"Anita, the baby is coming!"

"Si," she calmly replies, "I'll get your parents. Hang in there."

"Okay."

My padre drives us all to the hospital without hesitation. Anita holds my hand in the backseat holding me close. In spite of the incoming pain, I couldn't be more excited to see my baby.

"Anita, I want you to find Baby John when we get there and tell him what's going on."

"Si, of course."

When we get there, my madre wheels me into a room while Anita leaves me for a moment.

"Madre," I implore her, "Will you be happy to see your grandchild?"

She smiles at me for the first time in a while. "Si."

By the time I've started going into labor, Anita rushes back to my side.

"Baby John will come when you're ready. He wasn't sure what to say except good luck."

"God, I'm going to need it!" I cry out.

Anita and my madre hold my hand on either side of me, trying to keep me as comfortable as possible. I don't know how much time passes. The pain is almost unbearable, leaving me exhausted. Apparently Anita tells me seven hours have gone by now.

"Tony!" I cry out, missing him more than ever. "I wish you were here."

In my heart I know he will be. Closing my eyes, I suddenly hear a baby's loud cry. I collapse back down on my pillow, unable to control the tears spilling from my eyes. My baby is finally here!

"It's a girl," beams Anita, handing the small bundle to me. "I'll get Baby John."

"Gracias," I smile through my numerous tears. She is precious. Our eyes meet and I see part of her father reflected in them. "Tony, she is so beautiful. You'd love her so much!"

I hear the door open and glance up. There's Baby John, wearing his bandages, smiling over at me.

"Come see her," I beckon to him.

He can't believe the sight of her. "Wow, Maria. You really outdid yourself."

I laugh, feeling such overwhelming joy I had searched so long to feel.

"What are you going to name her?"

It comes to me. I felt it the moment I met her eyes.

"Felipa."