“Thanks for letting me hold your hand,” Daniela whispered.

“You’re welcome,” Reesa said. She was sitting at the side of the hospital bed, listening to the tick of a clock, and massaging her sore fingers. Considering recent events, she treasured this slice of normality.

Hours before, the urgent maneuvers of medical personnel fueled her fear and adrenaline. There wasn’t a delivery, as what Daniela experienced was what her doctor called prodromal, or false, ...