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“No.”
“It’s very common for blond hair to be red at birth,” the doctor says.
We all look at Sam’s mop of blond hair.
“Except isn’t brown the dominant gene?” Joyce asks.
Annie’s jaw tics again and she stares at her dad, silently willing him to step in.
“Enough, Joyce!” Franklin snaps.
“I’m just saying, it’s unusual.”
“Shut up!” Annie says. “Just shut up and be happy you were invited.”
“Great, Beth. One more and you’ll be done,” the doctor says, ignoring the chaos around her.
“I can’t. I can’t.” Beth’s head moves from side to side.
“You can. Remember the last five minutes of a workout? Always the hardest. Soon you’ll get to hold your baby as an award for all your hard work.” Annie kisses her sister’s forehead and wipes her sweaty hair off her face.
“Come on, babe, one more for our little boy or girl. Red hair and all.” Sam laughs, which makes Beth laugh.
With the help of her sister and husband, she sits up and bears down.
“You did it!” the doctor says.
A second later, a cry echoes in the room, and the doctor holds up the baby.
I think I’m going to throw up. It’s covered in blood and some other crap. Sure enough, there’s a patch of red hair on its head.
“It’s a baby girl,” the doctor announces.
“She’s adorable,” Annie says.
After Sam comes around to cut the umbilical cord, Beth relaxes. I watch intently how the nurse brings the baby to Beth and everyone fights to get a closer look. They count the baby’s toes and fingers, pointing out the different features she inherited from her parents.
“She has our nose,” Joyce says, wrapping her arm around Annie.
Annie doesn’t pull away, and Beth smiles at them. “Three generations.”
Sam snaps a picture.
“We’re grandparents,” Franklin says, hugging Joyce.
“We’re parents,” Sam says to Beth and kisses her temple.
Annie was right. A new baby trumps family drama.
