Prologue:

The shrill cry of an infant broke through the peaceful night. One cry, before silence. The doctors rushed around, trying to get the child to cry again as others tended to the mother. Finally, there was a long, loud, never-ending cry.

Relieved, the doctors cleaned the child off and found a rose-like mark on its small shoulder. The midwife called to the doctor to bring the newborn over to the mother, but he did not respond. When the mother called out to him, he reluctantly tore his gaze away and wrapped the newborn baby girl up in a small blanket as the midwife brought in the father who immediately ran over to his wife.

Carefully, the doctor handed the infant to the midwife who gently set her in the arms of her mother. The father could only smile. His daughter looked up at him with bright blue eyes.

“Look at our daughter, William, our beautiful Rachelle…”