"Never better. This is the greatest day of my life." Charlie choked on his words as he pulled Brett into a bear hug. When they separated, he approached Megan. "Thank you," he said, hugging her so hard she thought she heard a rib crack.
When they parted, he said, "Tracy wants to see you."
Once inside, Megan headed to the kitchen. Cold water splashed on her face made her shiver. To face Tracy right now seemed impossible. "This woman despised me last summer. Though we started over, how does my delivering her baby affect our new found friendship?" Each step seemed bigger than the last; more difficult than climbing to the top of the Grand Tetons. She took it one step at a time. With her hand on the doorknob, she listened to the faint hum of a lullaby. It soothed her enough to open the door. "Hi," she whispered.
"Come here." Tracy patted the bed beside her. "I want you to meet Rose Megan Watson."
"Rose Megan?" she said, doubt in her voice. "Why did you choose the name Megan?"
"Because you helped bring her into the world." Tracy squeezed Megan's hand. "Thank you doesn't seem enough, but it's all I know to say." Her smile shone through tired but gleaming green eyes. She sighed. "For years we tried to have a baby, but it never happened. Last summer I thought I was pregnant, but it was a false alarm. It angered me and confused me, and I took it out on you. Please forgive me." She reached out and took Megan's hand. "Now I have my dream. I'm holding her in my arms, all because you helped. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Megan swallowed hard to keep from crying again. "Don't worry about last summer. It has all been forgotten." She squeezed Tracy's hand. "If you need anything let me know."
The ambulance arrived and transported mother and baby to the hospital for check-ups. Charlie followed behind. Megan started to clean the bedroom but Brett stopped her. "You don't have to do this," he said.
"Yes, I do."
"Why?" he asked.
She shrugged, because there was no simple explanation. Cleaning kept her connected to the situation, but also kept her away from the questions. Words to describe her emotions were nonexistent. "After years of despair and anger, Tracy was given her dream. It makes sense, yet it doesn't."