At 3:42 AM, the quiet medical suite was filled with a sharp, healthy, magnificent cry that echoed through the room.

WAHHHH! WAHHHH!

The lead obstetrician smiled warmly, wrapping a tiny, wriggling bundle in a soft pink blanket before placing her gently onto Sadi’s chest.

"A perfectly healthy baby girl," the doctor announced. "Seven pounds, two ounces."

Sadi wept softly, holding the fragile warmth against her skin, smoothing back the thin crown of dark hair that matched her husband's.

Roman knelt beside the bed, completely frozen, tears streaming freely down his rugged, scarred cheeks. The man who had once commanded an underground army was now completely undone by eight inches of new life.

He reached out with a trembling index finger. The tiny baby girl instinctively closed her tiny hand around his large finger, holding on with surprising strength.

"Look at her, Roman," Sadi whispered, her voice thick with pure emotion. "She has your eyes."

Roman leaned down, kissing Sadi’s lips tenderly before leaning over to kiss his daughter’s velvety cheek.

"What are we naming her?" Roman whispered.

Sadi looked out the window at the distant blue lights of the city skyline, smiling softly. "Stella. Stella Vance Moretti. Our little star."

"Stella," Roman repeated, his voice rich with reverent love. "The brightest light in our world."