Fatherhood

Yusuuf held Elizabeth's hand, clearly nervous. He'd never given great thought to being a father, but his limited experience as a stepfather made him anticipate having one of his own. And here was his wife, with her Muslim doctors, about to give birth to his child.

She looked beautiful, pale, coated in sweat, clutching at him as she pushed his baby out of her body. He heard the yelling of the baby. The yelling of new life, a new Muslim baby for him and Elizabeth. They smiled at each other, as Elizabeth held her second son -- Awad Barre.