Page 58 of Come Fly With Me

“Okay,” the doctor said. “Let’s have another push. We’re nearly there.”

Callum held Isobel’s hand tight, feeling more helpless than he’d ever felt in his life. He was supposed to protect her from all kinds of pain, even this. Donna came around to kneel on Isobel’s other side and flashed Callum a look filled with understanding before smiling her encouragement at Isobel.

A chant started in the theater: “You can do it. You can do it. You can do it…”

A flash went off behind Callum, but he kept his focus on his wife. “Agnes,” he rumbled.

“I’m on it. No photos,” Agnes raged as she rushed for the door. There was a thud, a squeal, and then the door slammed shut with Agnes back in the box. “Don’t worry, I deleted it.” She positioned herself in front of the door. If anyone else wanted in, they’d have to go through her.

“I’ve changed my mind,” Isobel wailed. “I don’t want to have another baby.”

The doctor chuckled. “If I had a penny for every time I’ve heard that.”

“It’s going to be okay,” Callum said. “You’re doing great. I’m so proud of you.”

“Stop talking to me,” she snapped. “This is all your fault.”

“Uh,” Mairi said. “I do believe you were the one who jumped him, you hussy.”

“Not helping,” Agnes growled.

“Another big push.” The doctor coaxed.

The rest was a blur. All Callum could see was the pain on Isobel’s face as the chanting in the theater grew louder. Then, with one almighty scream, she sagged back onto the floor, and a new cry broke out.

Their baby’s cry.

The theater erupted in cheers.

“It’s a girl,” Mairi shouted to the crowd.

“Is she okay?” Isobel sounded anxious.

“She’s perfect.” Michelle beamed at them.

“The baby’s fine,” Mairi told the theater. “I’m an aunt again!”

The doctor cut the cord and wrapped their daughter in a sterile blanket she’d found in the oversized medical kit.

“Would you like to hold your baby while Mum and I finish up here?” Michelle asked Callum.

And just like that, there was no one else in the room except Callum, Isobel, and their new daughter. He reached for her, marveling at how tiny she was in his hold. How fragile. And perfect. He’d never seen anything so perfect in his life.

“She has all her fingers and toes,” he said with awe.

“And my hair!” Mairi pointed to the bright orange fluff on his daughter’s head.

“Definitely your nose, Izzy,” Donna said.

“She’s beautiful,” Agnes declared. “Just like her mother.”

“And huge,” Mairi added. “Just like her father.”

“She isn’t huge, she’s tiny.” Callum was afraid he was holding her too tight.

“Try squeezing her out of your vagina, and then say that.” Isobel reached out to stroke her finger gently down their daughter’s creamy cheek.

“This one is for our newest audience member,” a voice called over the sound system as ‘Mamma Mia’ began to play again, and it sounded as though the whole theater joined in.