Chapter 9 - The Birth of Grace
Two weeks later.
The quiet stillness of a crisp November night was broken by the sound of Harrison’s phone buzzing on the bedside table at 3:15 AM.
Serena shifted in bed, letting out a sharp gasp, her hand reaching over to grip Harrison’s wrist with surprising strength.
"Harrison..." Serena choked out, her breathing shallow, her eyes wide in the darkness.
Harrison was awake instantly. "Serena? What's wrong? Is it a contraction?"
"My water..." Serena gasped, a wave of tight pain washing over her lower abdomen. "It just broke. Harrison... she's coming right now!"
Harrison scrambled out of bed, grabbing the emergency radio to alert Vance and the medical team stationed in the guest cottage. Within three minutes, the private helicopter stationed on the estate's landing pad had its rotors spinning, cutting through the night air.
Fifteen minutes later, Serena was admitted to the private maternity suite at Portland General Hospital.
"She's nine centimeters dilated!" the lead obstetrician announced, guiding Serena onto the delivery bed. "Harrison, get beside her! We're delivering this baby now!"
Harrison took his place at the head of the bed, holding Serena’s hand, wiping the cool sweat from her brow as another massive contraction hit her body.
"Push, Serena!" Harrison urged, his voice thick with raw emotion. "Push, my sweet girl! I'm right here with you!"
"I can't... Harrison, it hurts!" Serena cried out, tears streaming down her temples.
"You can do this!" Harrison shouted lovingly, leaning down until his eyes were inches from hers. "You survived a fall down a marble staircase! You survived Julian's poison! You are the strongest woman on this earth! Bring our daughter home!"
Serena let out a long, fierce scream, closing her eyes and pushing with every remaining drop of her soul.
WAHHHHHHHH! WAHHHHHHHH!
A loud, clear, beautiful cry echoed through the delivery room, cutting through the hum of the monitors.
The doctor held up a tiny, squirming baby girl, her skin pink, her tiny fists waving wildly in the warm air.
"It's a girl!" the doctor announced joyfully. "Seven pounds, four ounces! Perfectly healthy!"
Tears spilled uncontrollably from Harrison’s eyes as the nurses wrapped the baby in a soft pink blanket and laid her gently onto Serena’s chest.
Serena sobbed happily, her exhaustion vanishing as she looked down at her daughter. The baby had a thick head of soft dark hair and bright, curious hazel eyes that looked straight up at her mother.
Harrison collapsed onto his knees beside the bed, wrapping his massive arms around both of them, burying his face against Serena’s neck as he wept tears of absolute joy.
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"What should we name her?" Harrison choked out, kissing Serena’s lips, then pressing a tender kiss onto the baby's tiny forehead.
Serena looked down at her daughter, a soft, radiant smile illuminating her face. "Grace. Grace Eleanor Sterling. Because despite all the darkness... grace brought us here."
