Chapter 200: Birth

"Come on, you can do it!" Alex held Brooke's hand as she breathed hard.

Tom held her other hand. "Come on, honey. One more big push."

Brooke's grunts turned to a guttural scream as she pushed hard. The nurse caught the baby as it slid free. Crying filled the room as the newborn was shocked with sudden brightness from the overhead lights.

"It's a healthy baby girl," the nurse said and set the baby down on Brooke's stomach. "Would you like to do the honors?"

Tom accepted the special scissors and clamped the umbilical cord.

"Let me get her all cleaned up for you. I'll be right back." The nurse took the newborn and disappeared behind the curtain.

"Good job! She's beautiful," Alex said and squeezed Brooke's hand.

Brooke's brow beaded with sweat. Her nightgown was soaked through, but even so, she glowed. Tom glowed, too, for that matter. She'd never seen him look so happy. She knew she had made the right decision all that time ago.