Tita packs a bag of clothes to send to Gertrudis, wishing she could also pack their happy memories together. The time comes for Rosaura to give birth; however, she has become ill and swollen at the end of her pregnancy. Pedro goes into town to get the town doctor, but federal troops capture and hold him hostage. Mama Elena and Chencha also left to collect supplies for the birth, leaving Tita alone with her sister. A shootout traps them in town, forcing them to take shelter with neighbors. Tita prays to God and Nacha to help her birth the baby. Rosaura is unconscious, and Tita worries she will not survive the birth. But miraculously, the baby is born healthy, and Tita hears the voice of Nacha telling her how to clean and clothe him. Both she and Rosaura weep over the baby boy, Roberto.

Dr. John Brown, the town doctor, arrives and examines Roberto. He is impressed by Tita’s knowledge and how beautiful she has become. He diagnoses Rosaura with eclampsia (high blood pressure which can lead to seizures) and is amazed she survived the birth. Weakened from the difficult delivery, Rosaura cannot breastfeed Roberto.