Isabel paced the length of the sterile hospital corridor, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as her jaw clamped so tightly it hurt. The beeping of machines, the low hum of voices, the occasional hurry of footsteps of a nurse-all of it combined into white noise. Her fingers shook as she checked the time on her cell phone. How long had it been since the doctor disappeared behind those double doors with Hazel?
She breathed in sharply and let it out again slow. Calm. She had to be calm.
"Mommy?" The small, husky voice spun her around.
Hazel lay in the hospital bed, tiny and pale against the white sheets. Isabel went straight to her side, smoothing a damp curl from her daughter's forehead. "Hey, baby. I'm right here. How are you feeling?"
"Sleepy," Hazel whispered, opening her eyes and
