Chapter 13 - A New Thorne Is Born
The baby arrived during an autumn thunderstorm.
Sarah’s labor lasted fourteen hours.
Garrett was useless.
He paced.
Prayed.
Asked the doctor too many questions.
Was removed from the room twice.
Penny sat on the staircase.
“Is Mama okay?”
“Yes.”
“You look scared.”
“I am.”
She folded her arms.
Garrett looked at her.
Then laughed.
“Don't.”
“You're grumpy.”
“Penny.”
“You are.”
Hours later a baby cried.
Garrett froze.
The doctor opened the door.
“Mother and daughter are fine.”
Daughter.
Garrett entered slowly.
Sarah lay exhausted.
A tiny bundle rested against her.
“Come here.”
Garrett approached.
Sarah handed him the baby.
His hands trembled.
For one terrible instant memory struck him.
Jonathan.
The creek.
The small grave.
Sarah saw fear cross his face.
“Garrett.”
He looked at her.
“This isn't then.”
He breathed.
“No.”
“This is now.”
He looked down.
The baby opened her eyes.
Garrett began crying.
Penny climbed onto the bed.
“What's her name?”
Sarah smiled.
“We thought you could help.”
Penny brightened.
“Biscuit.”
Garrett groaned.
“Anything except Biscuit.”
Eventually they chose Grace Elizabeth Thorne.
Elizabeth.
Sarah had suggested it.
Garrett initially refused.
Then understood.
It wasn't replacing anyone.
It was remembrance.
Penny adored Grace.
Perhaps too enthusiastically.
She tried teaching the newborn to cross her arms.
“She can't.”
“Why?”
“She doesn't know how.”
“I’ll teach her.”
Garrett looked at Sarah.
“We're doomed.”
Sarah smiled.
“Completely.”
Outside, thunder rolled.
Penny instinctively moved closer to Garrett.
He remembered.
Thunder.
One of the few things she feared.
He put his arm around her.
She leaned against him.
And Garrett realized something.
He was no longer measuring happiness by how much he could protect.
He measured it by how fully he could participate.
Even knowing loss was possible.
May you like
Especially knowing.
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