Blue Dahlia

red.”
    “They’re extremely gorgeous. Let me guide you in.”
    “Maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe you should just take them.”
    “Don’t be silly. We’ve got a regular party going on. She’s a sociable girl, and having people with her is taking her mind off the pain. When I left, David had the Red Hot Chili Peppers on a CD player and a bottle of champagne icing down in the bathroom sink.
    She steered him in. It was still the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and David turned his camera to the door to snap a picture of Harper peering nervously through a wonder of red lilies.
    “Oh! Oh! Those are the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen!” A little pale, but beaming, Hayley struggled to sit up in bed.
    “They’ll make a great focal point, too.” Stella helped Harper set them on a table. “You can focus on them during contractions.”
    “The doctor says I’m nearly there. I can start pushing soon.”
    He stepped up to the bedside. “You okay?”
    “A little tired. It’s a lot of work, but not as bad as I thought.” Abruptly, her hand clamped down on his. “Ohoh. Stella.”
    Roz stood at the foot of the bed. She looked at her son’s hand holding Hayley’s, looked at his face. She felt something inside her tighten, release painfully. Then she sighed and began to rub Hayley’s feet as Stella murmured instructions and encouragement.
    The pain increased. Stella watched the arc of contractions on the monitor and felt her own belly tighten in sympathy. The girl was made of iron, she thought. She was pale now, and her skin sheathed in sweat. There were times when Hayley gripped Stella’s hand so hard she was surprised her fingers didn’t snap. But Hayley stayed focused and rode the contractions out.
    An hour passed into another, with the contractions coming fast, coming hard, with Hayley chugging through the breathing like a train. Stella offered ice chips and cool cloths while Roz gave the laboring mother a shoulder massage.
    “Harper!” General Rothchild snapped out orders. “Rub her belly.”
    He goggled at her as if she’d asked him to personally deliver the baby. “Do what?”
    “Gently, in circles. It helps. David, the music—”
    “No, I like the music.” Hayley reached for Stella’s hand as she felt the next coming on. “Turn it up, David, in case I start screaming. Oh, oh, fuck! I want to push. I want to push it the hell out, now !”
    “Not yet. Not yet. Focus, Hayley, you’re doing great. Roz, maybe we need the doctor.”
    “Already on it,” she said on her way out the door.
    When it was time to push, and the doctor sat between Hayley’s legs, Stella noted that both men went a little green. She gave Hayley one end of a towel, and took the other, to help her bear down while she counted to ten.
    “Harper! You get behind her, support her back.”
    “I ...” He was already edging for the door, but his mother blocked him.
    “You don’t want to be somewhere else when a miracle happens.” She gave him a nudge forward.
    “You’re doing great,” Stella told her. “You’re amazing.” She nodded when the doctor called for Hayley to push again. “Ready now. Deep breath. Hold it, and push!”
    “God almighty.” Even with the babble of voices, David’s swallow was audible. “I’ve never seen the like. I’ve gotta call my mama. Hell, I gotta send her a truckload of flowers.”
    “Jesus!” Harper sucked in a breath along with Hayley. “There’s a head.”
    Hayley began to laugh, with tears streaming down her face. “Look at all that hair! Oh, God, oh, Lord, can’t we get him the rest of the way out?”
    “Shoulders next, honey, then that’s it. Another good push, okay? Listen! He’s already crying. Hayley, that’s your baby crying.” And Stella was crying herself as with a last desperate push, life rushed into the room.
    “It’s a girl,” Roz said softly as she wiped the dampness from her own cheeks. “You’ve got a daughter, Hayley. And she’s beautiful.”
    “A girl. A little girl.” Hayley’s arms were already reaching. When they laid her on her belly so Roz could cut the cord, she kept laughing even as she stroked the baby from head to foot. “Oh, just look at you. Look at you. No, don’t take her.”
    “They’re just going to clean her up. Two seconds.” Stella bent down to kiss the top of Hayley’s head. “Congratulations, Mom.”
    “Listen to her.” Hayley reached back, gripped Stella’s hand, then Harper’s. “She even sounds