The next five hours passed in a slightly-drugged haze of pushing, pain, and squeezing Joss's hand til she felt like she might shatter it. But when Dr. Katz finally told her that her daughter had entered the world, and her daughter followed that announcement by letting out a wail, Maddy still had enough energy to smile tiredly, before falling back against the pillows.
"We're going to go clean her, weigh her, make sure everything's working right," Dr. Katz told them. "But we'll bring her right back, I promise."
"Let me see her," Maddy said, pushing up onto her elbows.
The nurse wrapped her in a blanket and passed her to Maddy, who cradled her gently against her chest. "Hey sweetheart," she said, not even trying to hold back her happy tears. "I know you just got here, but you should know, you're going to be so loved. I promise."