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“Felt that, eh?” Dr. Anderson asked.
“Y-y-yeah,” Tory got the word out on the third try.
“Just a couple more minutes,” the doctor said cheerily. “We’re almost there.”
Judging by the intent look on Dr. Anderson’s face, as well as on the faces surrounding her, Phyllis wasn’t sure the outcome was going to be as cheery as the doctor sounded. But for Tory’s sake, she appreciated the older woman’s bedside manner.
“D-did, mmm, oowwooo, does he know?” Tory half-whispered, half-cried.
“Yes, he does.”
“Almost there,” Dr. Anderson said.
“And?” Tory asked breathlessly.
“We have an agreement,” Phyllis said, knowing that it was only the situation that would let her get away with an answer so vague. “Get ready, Tor, I think it’s time to say hello to your daughter.”
Phyllis got just a glimpse of the newborn as Dr. Anderson moved, and then she heard a robust cry of protest.
“Say hello to your mommy,” Dr. Anderson said, holding the baby up for one brief moment so Tory could see her. Then she handed the infant to the waiting medical personnel, who whisked her to a nearby table to examine her.
Phyllis didn’t know, as she reached down to take Tory in her arms, which of them was sobbing harder.
“You did it, Tor,” Phyllis whispered in Tory’s ear.
Tory clutched Phyllis desperately, not letting go even as the doctor delivered the afterbirth and stitched her up.
“Thank you, Phyllis,” Tory whispered fervently.
“I didn’t do anything but stand here, Tor. You did all the work.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Tory said, her voice stronger as she drew back and looked Phyllis straight in the eye. “Not this, not any of it. Thank you for giving me back my life.”
Phyllis swallowed a fresh spate of tears. “You’re welcome.”
“I can see why Christine loved you so much,” Tory said, tears dripping slowly down her cheeks.
“I loved her, too, you know.”
Tory nodded, turning her head to watch the people working on her daughter.
“I’m naming her Phyllis Christine.”
Phyllis couldn’t speak after that, too emotional to get any words out. She and Christine together again, in the form of a perfect little baby girl who was destined to bring years and years of long-overdue happiness to the people who’d given her life.
She watched the nurses with the baby, catching sight of a flailing foot, a tiny hand, as they cleaned her up, checking her vitals.
“Sir, sir, you can’t just barge in there!”
Phyllis and Tory turned to see a harried-looking Ben, still pulling on a pair of scrubs, come charging into the room.
“Ben!” Tory cried, eyes shining with relief and need.
Ben didn’t even notice the baby in the nurse’s arms. His eyes went straight to Tory’s, searching desperately for reassurance.
“Tory, sweetheart, are you all right?”
Phyllis backed away as Ben stood beside his wife, taking her hand.
