“We should have bought a baby name book.”
“Nonsense. What about Aurora? That means ‘dawn.’ Or Phoebe? That one means ‘radiant.’ Neve is Old Irish for ‘bright.’ Or Alina. That means ‘bright’ in Gaelic and Greek, and ‘beautiful’ in Irish. And she’s definitely both.”
I could only stare at him. “How do you know all that?”
Gallagher smiled. “I’ve been around awhile, and I speak Gaelic and Irish.”
“You do?” I’d never heard him speak anything but English. Possibly because I only understood English.
“From childhood. Before the war,” he explained. “Do you like any of those names?”
“Alina. Bright and beautiful.” I stared down at her, and the name felt...right. “I think her name is Alina.”
“Alina.” He nodded. “I can’t believe she’s here. A whole new person. Out of nowhere.”
“Notout of nowhere,” I corrected, squirming a little with the reminder of my own discomfort. “Definitely out of somewhere.”
“Of course. I didn’t mean to belittle your pain and effort. I just meant...yesterday, she wasn’t here. This morning, she wasn’t here. And now...there’s a brand-new person. Someone yougrew, like a plant in the soil. All I know is taking life, but you’vemadelife. You made beauty and strength out of horror and pain. That’s a miracle, Delilah. You made a miracle.”
“I had a little help.” I was feeling generous, now that most of the pain was over. “Averylittle, but still...” I shrugged, and the baby squirmed in my arms. Then she began to fuss. “We probably should have bought a pacifier. Unless you know how to carve one from the souls of your enemies, or something like that.”
Gallagher chuckled. “I’m afraid your work is not done. You’re going to have to feed her. Or else one of us will have to go out for more supplies.”
“No. Surely this part is easy, compared to the last part.” Yet as I stared down at the front of my gown, I had no idea how to proceed.
Fortunately, Zyanya came to my rescue, carrying a glass of ice water and a bowl of soup.
“Thank you,” I said as she set both on the table. “But she comes first. Can you show me...?”
“Would you like me to leave?” Gallagher stood.
“Of course not. This is just another part of that miracle. The part that’s going to save us a fortune in formula and bottles.”
Zyanya showed me how to hold the baby and helped me get her to latch on, and the sensation—the pressure—was strange. But also...amazing. Alina looked so content. So satisfied. Yet utterly helpless. Defenseless. Her entire life was in my hands.
I’d never had a more wonderful burden. A more promising responsibility.
When she fell asleep, Gallagher took her while I covered myself. Then I asked Zyanya to let everyone in.
They filled the room, speaking in excited whispers, and while I ate my soup, they clustered around Gallagher, staring at her soft, pink cheeks. Exclaiming over her dark hair.
“Quel est son nom?”Genni asked.
“Alina,” I told her. “It means ‘light.’”
“May I...hold her?” the pup asked, turning to me, even though Gallagher held the baby. “Please?”
“Of course. But wash your hands first. Then have a seat in the chair.”
Genni raced into the bathroom and scrubbed her hands, then came back and sat on the chair next to my bed. The others watched while Gallagher carefully put his daughter in the fourteen-year-old’s arms.
Miri and Lala looked captivated by the sight, and even Rommily appeared to be completely with us, at least for the moment. But Lenore stood alone by the door, watching with a bittersweet smile.
I waved her forward, and she sat on the bed next to me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Happy for you.”
“It’s okay to be sad, too,” I whispered. “Not every moment has to be one or the other.”
