She lay back against the pillows, exhausted beyond words. Her body ached. Her hands trembled. Sweat cooled against her skin. But when the first baby was placed on her chest, all she felt was warmth. When the second was tucked beside her, she felt awe. By the time the third, fourth, and fifth were carefully arranged so she could see each of them, she felt something even stronger.
Gratitude.
It bloomed through her fear like sunlight through a storm cloud.
Five.
Five lives depending on her.
She looked at their tiny fingers, their fragile eyelashes, the way their mouths opened as if searching for comfort. She pressed her lips to each soft forehead and whispered promises she had not yet figured out how she would keep.
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