We met on a Tuesday night at their house, nearly three weeks before the due date, to discuss how the day would hopefully unfold. Her Christmas shopping was complete, decorations were up, gifts were wrapped. Hospital bag was almost packed, co-workers were on call (just in case), checklists were being finalized. Plans were made, numbers exchanged, questions answered, goodbye’s  said and I left feeling excited to meet again sometime within the next three weeks.

Or the next 12 hours.

We met again that Wednesday morning, this time at the hospital. For hours I watched her laugh and smile though the ‘easy’ contractions as he calmly and reassuringly rubbed her back, her belly, whispering words of encouragement, words of love. Together they walked the halls, joked about possible names, nibbled on toast and cookies, watched a bit of tv and excitedly waited for the arrival of their first little one. Slowly, her contractions grew stronger and, still trying to smile, she breathed and concentrated and held his hand as he sat breathing and concentrating right by her side.

Breathing, concentrating and smiling, they welcomed their first baby girl into their arms, into their lives and into their hearts forever.

Sweet Zaria Rae

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