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"Your child appears to be fine"

"Thank God" Bruce closed his eyes, so grateful for his wife’s health and his child’s that it felt as if his knees o out from under him He slumped into a chair

Jolene sat down next to him "Why did Rachel come with us if she was sick?" she asked

Bruce placed his arhter’s shoulders "Because she wanted to be with us--to do soether as a family Rachel never had this opportunity as a child Her aunt didn’t ever buy a tree At Christift"

Jolene dropped her head "I’et Rachel soize?"

Bruce squeezed her shoulders "Flowers are a nice idea, but what’sher and the baby into our fa"

Jolene considered this over for a moment and then nodded "At first, when I was afraid Rachel was in labor, I thought sheforward to when the baby comes and I felt sick inside because I know it’s too early"

"We could have lost ainst Jolene’s hair "We could have lost Rachel"

She covered her face with both hands and started to weep Her shoulders heaved convulsively as she buried her face in Bruce’s side and gave way to her tears "I’ulped "So sorry"

He patted her back and whispered soothing words He’d give anything to hter Counseling had helped a little, but for every step forward they see Jolene, Bruce stood and approached the nurses’ station "Can I see hter back We’re getting her a bed right now It shouldn’t be long"

"Thank you" Bruce and Jolene followed the wourney She was on her side, doubled up in almost the same position as she’d been in the backseat of the car An IV bottle was attached to her ar her hand

Rachel’s eyes fluttered open "Hi," she whispered back, and atteht," Bruce said, putting his hand on her forehead, needing to touch her, needing reassurance that she was going to be all right Rachel and their baby

"I’ain when you’re not so sick, okay?" Jolene said as if talking to a child

Rachel sain "I’ll help decorate the tree, too"

"If you want, you can put up et one for the baby next year One that says Baby’s First Christot for ift for your little sister"

"I’ for a sister!"

"A girl?" Bruce said This was news to hiht I did, too, but I asked atthe news until Christirl," Bruce repeated in awe "Rachel, junior"