Another day at the main hospital found her able to take care of the Crayterian populace as battle casualties seemed to be fewer than normal. Either the Gauls were getting bested and retreated or they were ceasing the conquest of Crayter territory. Whatever the case, she didn't mind. These were times where her job was less stressful. Delivering a woman's first born, she shared the enjoyment of the moment with her.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Devers, you have a healthy baby girl," she told her. Having check the child over, weighed her and cleaned her up, she placed the child on the new mother's chest and then stood back and watched as she started talking to her....running her finger over her skin all the while the staff was cleaning up the mother.
It was moments like this she loved the most. New innocence in a world of war. It reminded her a little of when Benjen was born even if circumstances were different. Like her, the new mother was happy.
"My...my.....my husband," she asked with some concern.
"He's been notified," replied a smiling Doreen, "He told me himself that he's on his way back from a Camp Lister patrol, his exact words." Within the hour, he showed up and the young couple cherished the moment in her recovery room while Dr. Naggar herself went about her rounds.
_____
That night at Doreen's apartment, Benjen went over to his mother, scratching his head. He sat on her leg.
"Mom, how would Peter and I celebrate being friends for a month?" he asked.
She could only hold him tight and think a moment, "Oh I don't know. You two do everything together now. Um...."
Thinking, she remembered that his birthday was in a week. "I know, you have a birthday next week. I'll have to talk to Erik about getting two together for something extra special. He would know all the kool places to do that with."
"Really?" he asked looking up to his mother.
"Really!" she smiled back.
He jumped off her leg, turned and hugged her. "Thanks, Mom!" It was getting late and she put him to bed. As she went to leave, he said to her, "Thanks for bringing us here, Mom. It's the bestest."
She sat at her desk, glass of wine in hand as she thought about what he had just said. He loved Peter and being with him. Then she thought to herself, "Hard to believe he's almost ten."