NEW LIFE THE NOW

JOSH

The labor ward felt heavy with a mix of emotions-hope, fear, and exhaustion. I sat in one of the stiff hospital chairs, my sweet baby girl cradled in my arms. She was wrapped in a soft pink blanket, her tiny face scrunched in sleep, her little lips making occasional sucking

motions. She was perfect-every inch of her.

Luke sat beside me, his knee bouncing up and down like a nervous tic. He was waiting, glancing at the clock every few seconds, waiting for Jess and their baby to join us. Jess had been in the theater for an emergency procedure, and Luke had been there with her. But their little boy had been taken for checks and tests, leaving Luke pacing and restless ever since. "You're going to wear a hole in the floor," I said, breaking the silence.

Luke shot me a look, but his lips twitched into a brief smile. "I can't help it, man. I just need to see them both. I need to know they're okay."

"I get it," I said softly, glancing down at my daughter. "Believe me, I get it."

My own nerves were frayed to the breaking point. It had been two months since Laura went into the coma. Two months of

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her bedside, begging her to wake up. And now, with her pneumonia, I couldn't even go in to see her. The doctors had warned me about the risk of giving Asha a lung infection,

me out of my thoughts. Luke shot to his feet as nurses pushed Jess into the room, holding their

was everything-relief, joy, and overwhelming love. He rushed to her side, kissing her forehead and then their son,

but smile at the scene. "Don't worry, baby girl," I whispered to

cautious with their words, never giving me the certainty I craved. Laura had fought off the pneumonia for now, but her lungs were still weak, and

worse news.

mind, the way the doctor

that. Laura was strong.

and her face was so peaceful

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of the nurses had called her Asha earlier, and something about the name had stuck. Asha-it meant life

whispered, testing the name out

was laughing softly, holding his baby boy while Jess leaned against him, her face glowing

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