Chapter 21 - EMILIA ARRIVES
Emilia came at thirty-eight weeks.
Not early.
Not dramatically.
Lucia went into labor at two in the morning.
She delivered by planned cesarean because of obstetric considerations unrelated to the staircase trauma.
Healthy girl.
Seven pounds.
Dark hair.
Angry voice.
I waited outside until Lucia asked for me.
That mattered.
I had spent months relearning permission.
When I entered, Lucia held Emilia against her chest.
Miles stood near the warmer because he had come as family physician, not delivering surgeon.
I looked at my granddaughter.
Then Lucia.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Pain?”
“Yes.”
“Normal?”
“Dad.”
“Right.”
I stopped.
No Adrian.
Protective order remained.
His attorney received formal notice of the birth only as legally necessary for pending family proceedings.
No hospital access.
Victor did not appear.
No security drama.
No one tested boundaries.
That was a relief.
Then Lucia asked:
“Want to hold her?”
I froze.
She smiled.
“You’ve held babies.”
“Not this one.”
She handed Emilia to me.
Small.
Warm.
Eyes shut.
I had been feared by men twice my size.
A seven-pound child terrified me.
Lucia laughed.
“Support her head.”
“I know.”
“You look like you don’t.”
I looked down.
Emilia opened one eye.
Then closed it.
Nothing about blood.
Nothing about shares.
May you like
Nothing about Morelli or Costa.
Just a newborn deciding the world was too bright.
