Based on a True Story>>The gift of life

Chapter 8 Gracie Ann

The day had finally came, the day the doctors finally decided to induce Angel into labor. She lay on the bed concentrating at the task at hand as she held James hand. Her bandanna kept the sweat from her eyes as she held her breath. "Angel, you have been under chemo lately..we fear that the pressure of labor may strain your heart so..we are going to perform a caesarean. Angel hated the idea, but she had to do what she felt was best for the baby. James stood there as the doctors began cutting Angels stomach open layer by layer. He held her hand and watch over the curtain as the doctors and nurses went to work, handing each other tools. James could barely speak, all the time and prayers that were prayed for Angel..had finally come to pass. Their baby was on its way. James was pleased Angel did it. When the doctors called out: "You have a beautiful healthy baby girl." Angel smiled so big, she was anxious to hold her new baby. The doctors checked the apgar scale and handed Angel her new baby. "Oh, James! She's here..she's here! Little Gracie...Gracie." Angel placed two fingers over her soft pink cheek. James tried not to cry but couldn't help it, he allowed a tear to fall. "My little Gracie." Gracie looked around and grabbed her mamas finger. Angel leaned over and kissed her baby on the top of the head. Her baby was finally here.

In her hospital room, the doctors monitored Angel very carefully. The last three days had been a waiting game for Angel and James. Angel held Gracie close while feeding her a bottle. While James starred at the passing traffic outside. "Babe, I expected Dylan to get jealous and make a fuss about me holding the new baby..but he just leaned on over and gave her snuggles." Angel said. James shook his head. "That boy is one of the most unpredictable kids you could never understand." "I know Kyle said he kept asking your mama when mama & baba we're coming home." James went to sit next to his wife and new baby. "Yeah, mama said he has been sleeping in bed with Kyle cause Liam couldn't handle his kicking." Angel nodded. "Oh, can that boy kick." Then they heard a knock at the door. Two doctors walked in. James stood up and waited for the long awaited verdict. "Good afternoon guys, Mrs. Angel we have some rather good news for you." Angel raised her head to listen. "Oh? What did the results say doctor?" "The results have reported ma'am that you are now in remission and we won't have to see you for a couple of months now." Angel smiled so big her heart felt as if it could bust from joy. "You mean..?" "Yes ma'am, you can go home and join your family, I imagine that the past few months have been a struggle. James nodded. "Yes sir, they sure have." "Well, I'll have my nurse give you your release forms.. and Mrs. Angel I have to tell you that, I have treated many cases but yours in particular ma'am really struck me as special." "Special? Why is that?" The doctor shrugged. "Simply because, most people view their child as just a fetus until it breathes oxygen and gives its first cry..but you showed me that a real mother who loves her child will put her own health first to save theirs..not a lot of people can do that ma'am." Angel nodded and touched James hand. "Thank you sir, it wasn't easy, it was a journey but I knew that my child needed a chance to live regardless on what state my body was in..I knew God had a plan for her being here.. and he obviously gave me the strength to do it." James touched her shoulder to let her know he was proud of her for her strength and courage. "Well uh, congrats once again, y'all drive safe and I will see you in a few months." Angel nodded as James took the forms to sign for hers and Gracies release. "Thanks doctor!" James took Gracie from Angel as she tried to sit up in bed and attempt to sit in the wheelchair. She did. Her stomach was sore from the cesarean section but she tried again, until she found herself going in the parking lot with her new daughter and James. Her life was full and she couldn't wait to share it with others. Her cancer was gone! Her baby was here! Angel felt like she could run a whole marathon and not stop! No feeling in the world could compare to the triumph she felt.