A persistent presence disrupted the comfortable blend of darkness and dreams. Sharon knew, even before her heavy eyelids lifted, who it was. Every night, three-year-old Eva padded into her parents' room and stood like a shadowy sentinel until she garnered her mother's attention.

Sharon brought Eva back to her own bed and sat on the nearby rocking chair. While she waited for Eva to fall asleep, Sharon squirmed and tried to get comfortable on the wooden seat. At thirty-six and with a third child on the way, she felt old and tired, but knew it was partly her own fault for catering to Eva's bad habits. She resolved to discuss the sleep issue with her.

In the morning, Sharon considered how to approach the subject. The children had gone through many transitions during the past year. When Ethan had accepted a new job, the family left behind a rental apartment in New Jersey and moved into their first house in California. It also had taken them away from their roots and extended family.

Five-year-old son Jake settled in well and enjoyed exploring the rooms of their two-story house. He liked having his own yard to play in and he made new friends in his kindergarten class.

Eva, on the other hand, missed being close to family and especially missed Grandma. The large house and yard overwhelmed her. She was frightened by unfamiliar sounds and jumped whenever the sprinklers came on, the doorbell rang or the buzzer on the clothes dryer went off.  She wouldn't go to preschool and shied away from the neighborhood children. The only Californian Eva liked was Arlene Weber, a retired widow who lived across the street. Sharon guessed that Arlene's calm, low-key manner combined with her grandmotherly age had won Eva over.

Sharon sipped coffee and watched the children. Jake ate cereal at the kitchen table while Eva sat on the floor and fed her stuffed animals a make-believe breakfast. "How are your animals this morning, Eva?" Sharon asked.

"Bunny's good but Elephant is tired." Eva gave the small yellow elephant a nudge. "He couldn't sleep. He thought he heard a mouse last night."

"You're the mouse," Jake said.

"I am not," Eva snapped.

"Yes you are. You sneak around and you squeak when you're scared."

Eva frowned. "I don't squeak."

"Yes, you do. Watch, I'll ring the doorbell."
 
Before Jake could prove his point, Sharon reminded him that he had to hurry or be late for school. He grumbled, but left to get ready.

"Mommy, am I a mouse?" Eva asked.

"No. But you wake me up a lot at night. And I do need to sleep, just like you."

Eva's eyes widened. "I'm sorry."

Sharon took a deep breath. "I know. It would be a big help if you would try to stay in bed. Could you do that?"

"I'll try," Eva answered.

After dropping Jake off at school, Sharon asked Eva if she would like to invite a friend over to the house. "I think Judy would like to play with you. You and Judy could have a tea party with Bunny and Elephant."

Eva shook her head no. "I want to play with you."

"I can't play. I have to do chores."

"I can help. I like to help."

"Yes, I know." Sharon sighed inwardly. "You're my good helper."

After that, the frequency of Eva's nocturnal visits decreased. Daytimes, however, Eva continued to be Sharon's shadow.

One day, Eva entered the room with her shoulders pushed back and her shirt and stomach sticking out. "Guess what? I'm having a baby."

"Really?" Sharon smiled. "Do you think it's a baby boy or a baby girl?"

Eva patted her stomach. "It's a baby mouse. A little gray mouse."

The pregnancy progressed and Sharon prepared for the baby's arrival. The crib was set up in what would become the baby's room. Eva placed a doll's cradle on the floor next to the crib. "This is for my baby mouse," she said.

"I'm not sure that a mouse would want a cradle," Sharon warned her. "It might prefer to be in a nest with other mice."

"It'll like it," Eva insisted. However, she added torn bits of tissue to the cradle, to make it look more like a nest.

Grandma wanted to come and help with Eva and Jake for a week or two after the baby was born. Sharon booked the plane tickets for her, choosing an arrival time right after the anticipated due date. Both Jake and Eva had been born on time, so it seemed like a reasonable choice.
 
Sharon expected to be in and out of the hospital quickly on the delivery day. Experience, however, had taught her to be ready for anything, so she packed a small overnight suitcase. Eva packed an overnight bag too; she used the tote bag Grandma had given her before they moved. Sharon explained to Eva that children weren't allowed in the delivery room and that only Mommy and Daddy were going to the hospital. But Eva was adamant. After all, her baby mouse needed to be born too.

As the due date drew near, Sharon found it increasingly difficult to sleep. On one particularly uncomfortable night, she had sporadic contractions and wondered if it was the start of labor. She tossed and turned until a small visitor entered her room. It was Eva.

For once, Sharon didn't mind getting up. She tucked Eva into bed, sat on the chair and rocked back and forth. The baby was restless too, stretching and kicking inside her belly.

After Eva was asleep, Sharon went to the bathroom. At that point, her waters broke. The contractions became stronger and more frequent. She phoned Arlene, then woke her husband.

Ethan glanced groggily at the clock. "It's four in the morning."

"It's time. We need to go to the hospital."

"Okay, okay." He rubbed his eyes and sat up. "What about the kids?"

"Arlene's on her way over to get them."

Sharon and Ethan barely had finished getting dressed when Eva came into their bedroom. She had changed from pajamas into daytime clothes and had put on her shoes and jacket. "I'm ready for the hospital," she announced as she showed off her tote bag.

Sharon and Ethan exchanged looks. Sharon took Eva by the hand. "I've called Mrs. Weber. She's going to take care of you and Jake."

"No. I have to go to the hospital. My little mouse has to be born."

"They won't let you in the room with me. Only Daddy can come in."

"No." Eva started to cry. "I have to come. I'll be good. I promise. I won't get in the way."

Sharon felt her throat tighten. For an instant, she considered bringing Eva, but knew it wouldn't work. Ethan couldn't be with Eva and in the delivery room at the same time. She swallowed and tried to hold back tears. "I know you'd be good, Eva, but there's no choice. You can't come. Besides, you like Mrs. Weber. And it's just for a few hours."

The words didn't soothe Eva. She sobbed until the doorbell rang and then she shrieked.

"Calm down, Eva, Mrs. Weber is here." Sharon held Eva close to her. "Wake Jake up," she directed Ethan. "I'll let Arlene in." She guided Eva down the stairs and to the door.

Eva clutched her tote bag and cried while Sharon explained the situation to Arlene. "Let's dry those tears," Arlene said. She patted Eva's face with a tissue. "Don't cry. You and I are going to have fun. First, I'll make a big breakfast. Then we'll play your favorite board games."
 
Eva grabbed onto Arlene with one hand and held her tote bag with the other. She said nothing, but her tears slowed. Jake joined them and they left for Arlene's house, while Ethan drove Sharon to the hospital.

The prediction of "just a few hours" was far off. The baby was born twelve hours after they arrived. Sharon experienced tearing during the birth and was told that she needed to spend two additional days in the hospital.

That first evening, only Ethan visited after dinner.
 
"How are Eva and Jake doing?" Sharon asked.

"Good. Arlene made spaghetti for us. Eva got spaghetti sauce all over her favorite shirt, but Arlene promised to get the stain out. Jake tore up magazines; he said something about pictures for a school project. They can't wait to see Grandma tomorrow. And of course they're excited about the baby."

"I'm surprised they didn't come with you tonight."

Ethan shrugged. "It's been a long day and they're exhausted. Tomorrow will be better."

The following evening, Ethan brought the entire family. Jake gave his mother a kiss and patted the baby, while Eva stood by herself in a corner. Grandma told Sharon how well she looked and cooed over the baby.

When the baby began to fuss, Grandma suggested that Eva and Jake go with her to the gift shop. After they left the room, Sharon nursed the baby and asked Ethan about Eva.

"Oh, she fine," Ethan said. "Don't worry so much."

Still, Sharon couldn't help worrying.

Once Sharon and the baby were home, Eva wouldn't talk to her mother. She listened and did whatever was asked, but wouldn't speak.

A few days after Grandma’s visit ended, Eva approached her mother, while Sharon was in the family room with the baby. "What is it, Eva?" Sharon asked.

"I want to hold the baby," Eva demanded.

Talking was a good sign, but Sharon was concerned about Eva's tone. "The baby is very delicate. Let's wait...."

Eva stomped out of the room.

She returned later when Sharon was on the couch with the baby. "I want to hold the baby. Please, Mommy," Eva said softly.

Sharon thought about it for a moment, then pointed to the adjacent spot on the couch. "Sit here and scoot as far back as you can."

Eva sat with her back up against the cushion and her legs stretched out on the seat.

"You have to hold her very carefully and very gently. Can you do that?"

Eva nodded solemnly.

Sharon placed the baby on Eva's lap and watched as Eva tenderly cradled her.

After a while, Sharon took the baby back. "Thank you, Eva. Now, I think the baby's hungry."

Eva watched her mother breastfeed the baby. "Can I help?" she asked.

"You could bring me a glass of water."

Eva raced to the kitchen and returned with one of her small plastic cups. The water only sloshed out a little as she carried it.

Sharon took the cup. "Thank you, Eva. You're my good helper."

Eva nodded. "Guess what, Mommy?"

"What?"

"My baby mouse was born."

"Really?" Sharon raised her eyebrows. "Tell me about it."

"It's a mouse and it didn't need a hospital. It popped out when it was ready."

"Where is it now?"

"It doesn't need me, 'cause it's a mouse. I think it's with the other mice."
 
"That sounds like a good place for it."

Eva looked around uncertainly and shuffled in place.

"What is it, Eva?"
 
Eva regarded her mother hopefully. "Can Judy play with me?"
 
"Yes. I'll phone and see when she can come."

Eva clapped her hands. "Great! We'll have a tea party. I'll tell my animals." Eva started to go, then hesitated. "Do you need me?"

"Not now. But you can be my helper later, when you're done playing."

"Okay." Eva smiled and ran off.