The room was quiet. Too quiet. The only sound echoing through the delivery ward was the frantic whispers of nurses and the relentless compressions being done on the tiny baby.
Anastasia, still in agony and barely able to speak, kept whispering, "Please, breathe... Please, breathe…"
The older nurse didn't stop. Her hands moved steadily over the baby's small chest, as the younger nurse helped with the oxygen pump. A thick tension hung in the air, heavy with fear and prayer.
Then, like a miracle wrapped in a cry, the baby let out a loud wail.
"She's breathing!" the young nurse shouted, her voice filled with disbelief and relief.
Anastasia burst into tears, her body trembling. She couldn't speak. She only placed her hand over her heart, sobbing as though her soul had finally returned.
After a few more checks and careful cleaning, the nurse walked over to her bed and gently placed the baby into her arms.
