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Marple looked at Poe and Holmes. “Support her shoulders.”

The next contraction hit. Poe held Grey from the right, Holmes from the left. With their help, Grey folded herself forward and squeezed—face, fists, abs, everything. “Oh, Jesus!”

Marple reached in between her legs. “I can feel the head!” she called out. “Baby number one is coming!”

Poe gripped Grey’s shoulder. Oh, God! He could feel the sweat soaking through her nightgown. Her entire body was tensed like a steel spring.

“Harder, Helene!” Marple called out. “Give it all you’ve got!”

Grey grunted. She groaned. She panted. She pushed.

“That’s it!” shouted Marple. “Keep going! Don’t stop!”

Grey let out one final screech.

Poe looked down. Marple was drawing her arms back from under the sheet.

“You did it!” shouted Virginia. “The baby’s out!”

Marple stood up, holding a squirming, bloody, mucus-covered shape. “Congratulations! You have a son!”

Poe held his breath.

Marple pulled off one bloody glove and swept her index finger through the newborn’s mouth. The boy responded with a mewling cry, his tiny red face crinkled like a raisin.

Marple handed the baby to Virginia. The glistening umbilical cord was still pulsing. “Wrap him up. Keep him warm.”

Virginia grabbed a towel and swaddled the infant from neck to toes.

“Oh, no,” groaned Grey. “It’s coming again!”

“Don’t fight it!” said Marple. “You’ve got another baby to deliver!” She pulled on a fresh pair of gloves and leaned in.

Poe and Holmes supported Grey as she bent forward again. She let out another scream. Ear-piercing. Primal.

Marple reached in again. “I can feel the other head! It’s in a good position! Keep pushing!”

Grey slumped back against the pillows. “I can’t,” she panted. “I can’t.” Poe bent over her. Her lips looked pale in the dim light. “I’ve got nothing left.”

Poe put his lips to her ear. “Yes, you do,” he said. “You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever known.”

Grey took a breath. She nodded. Her eyes were clenched shut with pain. She bore down hard and let out a guttural wail. Like no sound Poe had ever heard from another human.

“Yes!” Marple called out. “Good!”

“It’s coming!” Virginia yelled.

Poe looked down. Once more, Marple stood up from her stool with a baby in her hands. “It’s a girl!” she called out. “A beautiful girl!”

Holmes smiled. “A matched set!”

Poe looked down at Grey, his eyes misting. But Grey’s eyes were locked on her new daughter. “What’s wrong?” She reached toward the foot of the bed. “There’s something wrong!”

Poe stood up. He felt a sting run through him. The infant was limp in Marple’s arms. Not crying. Marple swept her finger through the baby’s mouth, wiped the mucus from her nose, jostled her, pinched her leg. Nothing. The tiny girl was bluish purple. Not moving. Not breathing.

Poe’s pulse was pounding. His vision narrowed until all he could see was that tiny face. He leapt to the foot of the bed. “Give her to me!” He lifted the baby out of Marple’s arms and laid her gently on the coverlet.

Grey looked down, terror etched on her face.