The Naming
Outside, the boisterous New Year’s Eve crowd follows the second hand of the village clock.
“Ten, nine, eight …” the countdown begins.
Inside, Marc wipes Laia’s brow with a cool cloth. “You’re doing great, love. Just breathe.”
“Open the window,” Laia begs. Marc obeys. Laia breathes in rhythm with the counting.
“… five, four, three …“
“Push!” says the midwife.
“...two, one!” The clock strikes twelve, fireworks explode, bells peal, a cry splits the night.
Marc’s ecstatic, Laia’s tired but triumphant.
“A girl!” Marc yells out the window.
The crowd yells back, “Bon dia, Nova! “
Marc bows, Laia nods. “Nova she shall be.”
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAn entire village participates in a birthing – what a lovely idea! The reader is right there with the midwife and the new parents in this down to earth tale of a new year and a new life. A joyful take on the midnight theme.
I’ve been waiting for a New Year’s story!
This was lovely Fuji, wonderfully written and just a joy to read!
Wow! A blessed and lucky new year for Marc and Laia, who gave birth to their daughter on the first second of the new year. I was carried away by all the events in your story, my heart also jumped with joy. Well done.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleJoy abounds! A New Year, a new life and, I guess, a new father and mother. At least I hope so. Well done, Fuji. Happiness is currently in pretty short supply and your dose of it will brighten all who read it.
A wonderful story full of hope, Fuji! Just what we need right now.
I enjoyed all the noise, chaos and joy in this story Fuji. Well done!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleSuch an uplifting story, Fuji. You describe the scene so well that I could actually taste the atmosphere surrounding the birth and share in the parent’s joy. A lovely read.
Wow! What a lovely story, Fuji. It’s a story to start the year with.
I love the combination of the birth of the new year and the birth of the girl, Fuji. Your story is very well paced and captivating. Is it based on a true event? Are Nova or her parents historical persons?
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