My sister had just given birth.

She drove to Lakeside Medical Center, where Sierra had given birth to a healthy baby boy. There was an odd quietness in the maternity ward, as sunlight filtered through narrow windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. Rachel followed the directions from the receptionist and made her way to Room 312. The gentle tap of her heels echoed in the hallway, a sound that was drowned out by the soft murmurs of nurses and the laughter of new parents.