She briefly wondered if Mark was with Maggie right now. If Maggie knew that she had gone into labor. Then she realized that she didn’t much care what either one of them thought. The most important person in her life, the one she loved the most and who loved her the most, was going to be there for her, holding her hand every step of the way.

Wren sat by her as she asked for the tenth time. ‘Is the baby alive?’

The nurse who smiled down at her with empathy in her eyes confirmed again that there was indeed a heartbeat. The hospital knew her history so they understood her constantly sought reassurance and were more than willing to accommodate her. She still hadn’t got over her baby daughter passing away before she even had a chance to meet her, and she knew she never would. But now was the time to think about the new baby that was about to be born.

She lay on the bed, holding Wren’s hand tightly as another contraction shot through her body like a cannon blast.

‘Breathe, Mom. Just breathe,’ Wren said loudly over her moan of pain. She looked over at him, inhaling deeply, and her heart filled with pride. She copied him and he gave her a smile. So grown up for ten years of age.

Finally, at precisely 3.32 p.m., after laboring for nine hours, her second little baby boy was born. And he was perfect.

Wren stared at the naked baby lying on her chest. ‘Mom,’ he said in wonder, ‘that’s my baby brother.’ The look of pure joy on his face as he grinned at her was priceless. She was so glad she had let him come; he’d encouraged her and fed her ice chips the whole time. Who could have asked for a better labor partner?

‘Yes, he is. And now that you’re a big brother, it’s also your responsibility to protect him always. You need to be there for him and love him.’

‘He’s just beautiful,’ came a soft voice from the doorway.

‘Mom?’ Vanessa was shocked to see her. Her mom hadn’t spoken to her since she’d told her about her dad’s affair with Maggie. ‘How did you know we were here?’

‘Well, I went to your house to talk to you and your neighbor Verna said that you and Wren had gone to the hospital. Looks like I’m a little late, though.’

‘Nannie, I have a baby brother. I’m going to love and protect him.’ For a moment, they were all thinking the same thing. From Mark.

‘I know, darling, isn’t it wonderful?’ she said as she opened her arms up for a hug. He slid off the bed carefully so as to not disturb the baby and hugged his nannie.