Rosebud

Lila stared disbelievingly. ‘And was this the only time you found to be born?’ she asked as she bent with difficulty to touch the bud.

Oh, but the beauty of the unborn life, Lila thought as she caressed the pale yellow petals, silky soft, tightly furled into themselves. The warm, vibrant, deep yellow heart just visible if Lila peered closely inside.

“Look, Stan, two years of trying and it chooses now to flower!”

Stan laughed and patted Lila’s stomach. “Well, our efforts spanned many more years.”

Lila nodded, tearfully. “You know what we’ll call the baby?”

Stan nodded.

“Rosebud”.