To change a life

Joy

It was January now, and it was unusually cold. The little apartment was nice and toasty however and served as an awesome source of heat.
One night, Riley woke up with intense pains in her abdomen. She turned over onto her side, thinking that maybe the pain would go away if she shifted positions. After a minute the pain went away and she drifted back into sleep. But half an hour later, the pain was back. Tighter than it had been before. She sat up and swung her legs over the bed, trying not to wake up Emma. She went to the kitchen and got some water, but the pain lingered.
Finally it stopped. She looked at the clock. It was 6:30. She might as well start breakfast. Danny would be up soon to go to practice.
She went and got dressed and did up her hair, and then went to start breakfast.
Just as Danny came out another pain hit her, she grimaced, moaned and grabbed the counter.
Danny came around the corner and saw Riley in pain.
"Riley are you okay?" He said
"No, I'm hurting. The baby is coming."
"Now?"
"NOW!!"
"Okay, I'm gonna call the doctor, we'll get you there okay?"

10 hours later, Riley cried out again.
"One more push, Miss Perrin, then it'll be all over." The midwifes soothing voice said.
Riley looked up at Danny. "I can't do it anymore." Danny had grown a lot in the last nine months, he'd watched Riley change, go through changes she'd never gone through before, she'd also gone through major depression, and yet she'd survived it all.
Coming back to reality, he looked at Riley now, there was an IV in her hand, the sheets bundled up beside her, sweaty, hurting and crying, but he knew she could do this.
He ran his fingers through her hair and said "I know you can do this Riley, you're a strong woman."
The midwife smiled, "alright, one more big push."
Riley took a breath, and pushed, using all her energy. She squeezed Danny's hand. Then, the baby was out and let out a wail.
Riley laid back onto the pillows, Danny exclaimed "it's a girl!!"
They wiped the baby off and laid her on Riley's chest.
"Oh, hello Angel!" She said wrapping her arms around the tiny baby. She said "Welcome to this crazy world, Joyce Ariadne Wheeler."
Danny wiped away his tears and put his arm around the girls, kissing Joy's tiny hand. "Happy Birthday sweet girl."

Danny signed the birth certificate, cut the cord, then went out to the hallway to make a call. Even though Joy was Ben's baby, Danny loved her like his own and was prepared to do anything to take care of her.
The line picked up "New York State Prison, Sgt. Richards speaking."
"Yes, I'd like to leave a message for Benjamin Wheeler. My name is Daniel Wheeler, he's my brother."
"Okay, I'll transfer you to the telegram department, hold please."
The line rang for minute and then a woman's voice answered "Telegram department, Sgt. Warren."
"I'd like to leave a message for Benjamin Wheeler."
"Okay, what's your message, I'll write it down."
"Baby born 10 minutes ago. Joyce Ariadne Wheeler. 8 pounds 4ounces 18 inches. Mom and baby doing well."
"Alright, and Mr. Wheeler is in rehab class right now, but when he comes out I'll give it to him. Can I get your name?"
"Danny Wheeler."
"Okay Mr. Wheeler thank you for calling, and congrats!"
"Thanks,"
The line hung up. He didn't know if Ben would care or not, but Danny had done his job.