't the usual pregnancy discomfort, this was different. Sharper. She let out a small gasp, clutching her belly. Dotan, who had been dozing off beside her, stirred. "Luci?" His voice

ce twisted in pain. She was gripping the bed rails so tightly her knuckles had turned white. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with agony. "Dotan..." Her voice was weak. "I'm here," he said, rushing to her side. He took her hand in his, kissing her fingers. The doctor stood at the foot of the bed, his brows furrowed. "She's fully dilated, but the baby is taking time to come down. We need her to push harder." Dotan turned back to Luci. "You can do this, baby." Luci shook her head, tears spilling from her eyes. "I can't..." Her body trembled. "It hurts too much." Dotan cupped her face. "Listen to me. You are the strongest woman I know. You can do this. You have to." Luci sobbed, her body shaking. Another contraction came, and she screamed. The doctor nodded at the nurse. "She's almost there. Just one big push." Luci looked at Dotan, her lips quivering. "I'm scared." Dotan pressed his forehead against hers. "I know, my love. But our baby needs you." Luci took a deep breath, clenching his hand. And then, with everything left in her, she pushed. The room was filled with tension, nurses moving swiftly, the doctor giving firm instructions. Then- A loud, piercing cry filled the air. Dotan's breath caught in his throat. Luci gasped, tears slipping from her eyes as she collapsed back on the pillow. The doctor lifted a tiny, wriggling baby, her skin still slick and pink, and turned to them with a smile. "Congratulations. It's a baby girl." Dotan let out a shaky breath, his chest heaving. He turned to Luci, kissing her damp forehead. "You did it," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Luci's lips trembled. "She's here?" The nurse gently placed the baby in her arms. The moment Luci looked at her daughter, everything changed. The pain, the fear, the exhaustion-all of it disappeared. She had never seen anything so perfect. The baby's tiny fingers curled slightly, her eyes barely opening, as if trying to recognize the world. Luci's heart swel