**Chapter 3: The Birth**

The room was electric with tension as Dorothy's body tensed up, her face scrunched up in concentration. Blanche's calm and reassuring voice guided her through the process, "Come on, Dorothy, you can do this. Just one more push." Lucas held her hand, trying to provide what little comfort he could as he glanced at Blanche, who seemed to be in control. As another contraction hit, Dorothy gritted her teeth and pushed again. Lucas could feel her body tensing up as she bore down, the sound of her heavy breathing and the occasional cry of pain filling the room. The air was thick with anticipation, and Lucas's anxiety was building. He was trying to stay calm, but his heart was racing with every passing moment. The contraction seemed to go on forever, but finally, it subsided. Dorothy collapsed back against Lucas, exhausted, her voice barely audible as she whispered, "I'm so tired." Lucas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, trying to keep his own panic at bay. "You're doing great, baby," he said, trying to reassure her. "Just a little longer." But as he looked at Blanche, he could see the concern etched on her face. "The baby is coming," she said, her voice low and urgent. "We need to get ready." Lucas's heart skipped a beat as he realized that the baby was about to be born. He looked at Dorothy, who was staring up at him with a mixture of fear and exhaustion. As another contraction hit, Dorothy's body began to tense up again. Lucas held her close, trying to support her as she pushed through the pain. Blanche was guiding her through the process, coaching her on when to push and when to breathe. The room was filled with the sound of Dorothy's heavy breathing and the occasional cry of pain. The baby began to emerge, and Blanche's voice grew more urgent. "Push, Dorothy, push!" Dorothy gritted her teeth and pushed with all her might. Lucas could feel the baby moving, could sense that it was almost here. And then, in an instant, it was over. The baby had arrived, and Dorothy was leaning against him, exhausted. Blanche quickly moved to help, her hands gently guiding the baby's head and shoulders out of Dorothy's body. Lucas couldn't believe it; they had a baby. The room was silent for a moment, the only sound the heavy breathing of the three adults. As the baby took its first gasping breaths, a loud cry filled the room, and Lucas felt a surge of emotion. They did it; they had a baby. Dorothy looked up at him, a weak smile on her face. Lucas smiled back, tears of joy welling up in his eyes. But as she leaned her body against Lucas, feeling a sense of relief wash over her, her legs gave out from under her. She felt herself losing consciousness, felt her body going limp. "Lucas, I...I think it's happening," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Lucas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "It's okay, baby," he said, trying to keep his voice calm. "You're safe. The baby is here." But as he looked into her face, he saw that she was fading away. Her eyes were glazing over, and her body was going limp. Lucas's heart skipped a beat as he realized that Dorothy was losing consciousness. He called out to Blanche, his voice panicked. "Blanche, help! She's passing out!" Blanche quickly moved to their side, her face etched with concern. "Dorothy, stay with me," she said, her voice firm. But Dorothy's body was already giving in, her eyes closing as she slumped against Lucas. The room seemed to spin around Lucas as he held Dorothy close, the baby still crying in the background. He was in a state of panic, unsure of what to do next. All he knew was that he had to keep Dorothy safe, had to keep her awake. But as he looked into her pale face, he knew that he was running out of time.