the foot of the bed.
“Okay, Casey,” he said. “The baby is ready. I need you to push.”
Tears welled in Casey’s eyes. She bit her lip, doing everything she could to keep
from screaming.
“Push, Casey,” Mrs. Harlow said softly.
“Push, honey,” William echoed, wincing as her fingernails drove deeper into his
hand.
“Breathe,” Mrs. Harlow coached.
“Yeah, breathe,” William added, his voice a shaky imitation of his mother-in-law.
After several rounds of pushing and breathing, their daughter finally entered the
world.
William stared at the newborn. She didn’t look real. Wet, blood-covered, and a cry
so loud it could wake the dead.
“Would you like to cut the cord, Mister Further?” the doctor asked.
William didn’t want to, but he didn’t want to look squeamish either. He took the
scissors and cut the cord with trembling hands.
A nurse whisked the baby away to clean her up. The doctor stayed by Casey, checking
for tearing and excessive bleeding.
William turned back to his wife and mother-in-law. Both had tears streaking down
their faces. He leaned in and kissed Casey on the cheek.
“She’s beautiful,” he whispered.
A nurse returned and gently placed the baby in Casey’s arms. She sat up as best she
could. As soon as the baby was in her arms, she let out a shaky laugh. Then a tear
fell and the laugh turned into a sob.
“Hello, May Elizabeth Further,” Casey said, beaming through tears. “I’m your mama.