There was no time to consider what lay in his hands, the baby was still and quiet, unmoving as he took her within his arms carefully and wrapped the warmth of his cloak about her. Swaddled close to his chest, Evan knelt with the life in the palms of his hands, delicate and yet beautiful as he wiped her clean and hurriedly relieved her airway of any remaining fluid. Still, she did not cry, and fear flooded his senses though he turned her softly, rubbing the tiny surface of her back as if to bring life into her form.
For a long moment there was naught to show for his efforts, no sound nor movement, and he feared the worst. His eyes were fixed, intent and desperate when at last, despite all odds, the baby drew her first deep breath and upon its release, cried gloriously into the night. He had not realized the breath he'd held, though it burned painfully in his chest as he released it and sighed relief with a smile upon his face. She was indeed beautiful. Animated with life as she cried and reached for comfort that he gave with a gentle offer of his hand to her tiny fingers.
Nothing else in that moment existed. He heard no other words as he sat with the child in his arms and adored the fact that she indeed lived for the moment.