One spring morning Seeker woke to sunlight streaming into their chamber. Beautiful touched his shoulder and shook him gently. “It’s time,” she whispered.
“I’ll go get Comfort,” he said, easing her onto the stone slab. Bright trailed him up the stairs to the main room.
“Play with your toys. Are you excited to meet your new sister?”
Bright blinked at him, puzzled.
Just then Comfort entered, met Seeker’s eyes, and gave a quick nod. “Boil some water,” she said, already moving down the stairs.
Within minutes Seeker had a fire roaring. He filled the kettle from the basin with his tin cup and set it in the hearth.
When the kettle began to whistle, Seeker rested a hand on Bright’s shoulder. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Bright looked up from his book. “Okay, Daddy.”
Seeker took up the kettle and hurried back down the stairs.
“Push!” Comfort’s voice rang down the passage. Beautiful cried out in pain.
Then came the sharp cry of a newborn. Seeker blinked. Already? He had braced himself for a long night of struggle.
He stepped into the doorway, and Comfort lifted the child for him to see. His heart skipped a beat. Wonderful. She was so small, her head perfectly round, her skin flushed red as a beet. He had never seen a more beautiful sight in all his life.
“Hello, Wonderful,” he whispered, eyes filling with tears. She reached out and wrapped her tiny hand around his finger, holding fast.
Comfort laid Wonderful on a towel, poured water into a basin, and dipped a strip of linen to wash her gently.
Seeker took Beautiful’s hand. Her skin glowed, her eyes soft. “How’s my Beautiful?” he asked.
She smiled.
Comfort wrapped Wonderful in a swaddling cloth and placed her in Seeker’s arms. She gave a small curtsey, then slipped quietly away.
“Here’s our daughter, Wonderful,” he said, and gently laid her in Beautiful’s arms.
Beautiful gazed down at her. At last, she whispered, “She looks just like you—only prettier.” She smiled, and the whole room seemed to brighten.
Comfort reappeared, leading Bright by the hand.
Bright stopped, stared, and pointed. “Ahahahaha—it’s a baby!” He paused, frowning. “Where did… she… come from?”
Beautiful laughed. “She came from my belly. She’s your sister—Wonderful.”
“From your belly?” Bright giggled. “Don’t be silly, Mama.”
He crept closer, touched her with one tentative finger, then laughed again. Leaning over, he planted a quick kiss on her head.
“You love your baby sister, don’t you?” Seeker asked.
Bright nodded, then his face fell. Sadness crept in, and he lowered his head.
Beautiful held Wonderful out. “Go to Daddy, Wonderful.” Then she drew Bright onto the bed. He snuggled against her, and she rocked him gently.
“Don’t be sad, Bright,” she whispered. “You’re still my baby too. You’ll always be my baby.”
Seeker cradled Wonderful against his chest and sang softly:
Wonderful—
Born in adversity,
Strong and true,
You shine like a priceless gem,
Bringing redemption with you
