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Dunford paused briefly when he reached Henry's bedrooo in? He stood there for a moment, a blank expression on his face, until Belle and E up the stairs after hi for?" Eo in there?" Dunford asked doubtfully

"Well, you ested

"It won't be toofeh Emma took the initiative and knocked on the door "There," she said firo in"

The midwife opened the door, but Dunford didn't see her He didn't see anything other than Henry--and the tiny bundle she held in her arht?"

She smiled "I'm perfect Come sit with me"

Dunford crossed the room and perched next to her on the bed "You're certain you're not ill? I heard you calling out quite vehemently for my demise"

Henry turned her head sideways and dropped a kiss on his shoulder "I'd rather not endure childbirth every day, but I think it orth it, don't you?" She held out the baby "Williahter?" he whispered "A daughter We have a girl?"

Henry nodded "I checked very closely She's definitely a girl"

"A girl," he repeated, unable to keep the wonder out of his voice He gently pushed back the blanket so he could see her face "She's beautiful"

"I think she looks like you"

"No, no, she definitely looks like you"

Henry looked down at the baby "I think perhaps she looks like herself"

Dunford kissed his wife's cheek And then he leaned down and ever so gently did the sairl," Henry said "I don't knohy, but I was so certain it would be a boy Perhaps it was because she kicked so very ain, as if suddenly realizing how very pleasant that endeavor was