Anna's POV
The bright lights of the operating room blurred above me as the anesthesia took effect. I heard the medical team's voices echoing as if from a great distance, clinical and precise. The physical sensations were strangely detached-pressure without pain, movement without feeling.
"First baby coming out now," the surgeon announced. "It's a boy!"
A thin cry pierced the haze of my consciousness. My son. The sound yanked me back from the edge of darkness where I'd been drifting, anchoring me to the present moment.
"He's beautiful, Anna," Catherine whispered, her face appearing above mine. "Perfect. About 5.7 pounds."
Before I could respond, another flurry of activity from the surgical team.
"And here comes baby number two... it's a girl!"
Her cry was softer than her brother's, but just as determined. I felt hot tears streaming down my temples, soaking into my hair. Catherine squeezed my hand, her own eyes glistening.
