Chapters 16-21

The Ceremony continues with its events following the Bible reading. Offred is taken to the Commander's bedroom, and he has very formal and impersonal sex with her, for the simple purpose of conceiving a child. From dinner, Offred stole a stick of butter, which she uses as lotion to keep her skin soft. This demonstrates the desperate sense that overwhelms the women to achieve some sense of normality.
That night, Offred cannot sleep, so she travels to another area in the building, and steals a daffodil from a flower arrangement. The Guardian Nick is behind her, and once she discovers him they kiss. He informs her that the Commander wishes to see her the following day. That night, she dreams of her daughter and her husband.
Offred is taken to a birth the following day. Birth in the republic is completely natural, with no painkillers given. The handmaids gather to watch the birth. The baby is born with no visible defects, meaning the mother will not be sent to the colonies.

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