Page 139 of Connectio

She licks his nose, and he cringes. “Did she just put birth juices on my face?”

I laugh. “Yes.”

“That’s fucking gross.”

“It’s not.” I giggle. “It’s lovely. It’s natural. It’s—”

“Fucking gross.”

Wiping his face with his sleeve, he then moves Prince closer. “Lick him. That’s what he’s here for.”

Snow licks herself again, and moments later, the seventh puppy plops out onto the sheet. Like the others, Snow breaks the membrane and licks her pup. But unlike the others, this one doesn’t cry.

My chest tightens. “Somethings wrong. It’s… it’s not crying.”

I pick it up and gently rub it the same way I did the other six, but it feels different. Too still. Too quiet.

Tears pool in my eyes and trickle down my cheeks. I wasn’t prepared to lose any. I mean, I knew we could, but I never believed we would.

“It’s okay, baby girl,” I say to Snow. “You’ve done so good. I’m so proud of you.”

Will takes the puppy from me. “Not on my watch.”

Holding my breath, I watch in awe and horror as he sticks his little finger inside the puppy’s mouth then gently pushes on its tummy. It doesn’t respond, so he makes a cone with his hand, covers the puppy’s nose, and blows a puff of air while still pushing on its tummy.

My heart skips a beat, and I freeze, my chest constricted, my hands shaking.

A loud cry pierces the air, the loudest yet, and I finally let out the breath I’ve been holding.

“Oh my God!” I cover my mouth with my hands. “It’s alive.”

Will places the puppy next to Snow then kneels back, sits on his heels, and wipes his brow with the back of his hand. I could kiss him. Forever and ever.

“Holy shit!” he says. “I really do need a cigar now.”

Tears streaming down my face, I throw my arms around him and ply his head and face with kisses. “You’re my hero, William Butler.”

“Anything for my girls,” he mumbles into the crook of my neck.

“Speaking of girls, should we check?”

He nods.

“You do it. This one is your miracle.”

Gently lifting the final puppy, he turns it over, and I wait while he inspects.

“It’s a—”

“A what?” I blurt.

“A…”

“Will! For shit’s sake, tell me.”

“It’s a girl, sweetheart.”

I clap like a seal. “Six boys and one girl. Oh my God! I’m gonna call her Happy.”

His eyebrows pinch, curiously. “Happy?”

“Yes. And I’m gonna call the others Doppy, Doc, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, and Bashful.” I remove my gloves and wipe my hands on a towel. “Snow White and her Seven Dwarfs.”

Taking a seat in Will’s lap, I snuggle against his chest as his python arms hold me tight.

“Thank you,” I say, sleep beckoning as exhaustion takes over.

He nuzzles my cheek. “For what?”

“For giving me my fairy tale.”