A year later…
"I hate you".
Jane nodded patiently – a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I know, Teresa. I know".
He ran a gentle finger on her cheek. "You'd better rest now".
"If you ever have me going through this again, I promise I'll shoot you".
"We'll talk about it in a few months, okay? Maybe you're going to change your mind".
"Not on your life".
Their quiet bickering was interrupted by a nurse entering the room.
"Here we are. Our little Hope just can't wait to meet her mom".
Both of them stared in awe at the tiny baby fast asleep in the nurse's arms. They could hardly believe they had been given such a beautiful, precious gift.
"You don't want to hold her?", the nurse wondered, sending Teresa an odd look.
"I… I would have my husband hold her first".
She watched Jane as he received their daughter into his arms – holding her as carefully as she was made of glass. She could almost see a myriad of emotions swirling across his face. Incredulity. Fear. Happiness. Affection.
Tears of joy began trickling down his face.
Teresa had succeeded in saving him, after all. And now he felt more grateful for her stubbornness than he had ever been in his entire life.