Pain and Joy

She screamed again. They watched her. He watched her. They waited. He waited. It was ripping her apart. She could feel her stomach torn into pieces. They were all there, helpless. Standing and staring with a look of pity in their eyes. He held her hand. "It might be the last time we are holding hands", she thought. She knew he was praying, at least she was. Then it came again. She screamed. She pushed for the last time. Then everything went quiet except for a little gentle cry. A cry of hope, a cry of joy, a cry of celebration. Someone said, " Congratulations! its a girl."