TITLE: "BUNDLE OF JOY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: First in the HOPE SERIES.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Months after Miranda, the terrible sadness that

grips Serenity's crew is given an unexpected lift."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"BUNDLE OF JOY"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He would never say it but it was the damnedest thing. Even as 7lb 4oz of screaming, squirming, orange faced trouble he could see the gorram likeness. Made him stare unblinking, momentarily unable to take his eyes off Zoe's child. The crew fussing around, taking it in turns to soothe the new arrival, Kaylee mother henning for all she was worth, the warmed blanket carefully wrapped around the newly washed babe. Worn out but so proud it fogged up his eyes to look at her. Mal wanted to give Zoe a medal but it wasn't number one on his wish list. No. Swallowing hard and slow around the lump rising in his throat and threatening to choke him, the only thing he wanted. Really. Was for Wash to have lived. The thought made his heart stumble and ache, the baby's cries muted as if his ears were under water though he could plainly see that little mouth stretched open in a long loud wail.

Simon kept telling Zoe it was normal, natural even, for a baby to cry. The trauma of coming out of the birth canal, away from the mother's warmth, the soft soothing musical darkness of the womb. Into a world of harsh light, colder temperatures and images moving in and out of view as those baby eyes tried to focus, not yet recognising them as faces. People. Mal stayed where he was, a couple