Chapter 6 - Hello, RosalindI carefully took her into my arms. She was warm and astonishingly small. I'd held many newborns over the years, but holding Rosalind felt different. I thought about the eight months I'd missed. I thought about Warrick sitting through ultrasound appointments. I thought about the words I'd said two years earlier, and how much easier it would be to keep being the person who justified those words than to do the painful work of becoming someone better.
"Hello, Rosalind," I said. "I'm your great-aunt." My voice broke slightly. "And I'm going to do better."
Emily watched me carefully — not fully trusting yet, but willing. For now, that was enough.
After ten minutes, I handed Rosalind back and stood. "I should probably return to my room before my doctors discover their recovering surgery patient escaped into maternity."
Emily almost smiled. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize. I followed Warrick here." I looked at him. "Walk me back?"
"Of course."
We left the maternity ward together, silent for most of the walk. Near the elevators, he finally asked, "Are you angry with me?"
"I don't know," I said, then found the word. "I'm moved."
He looked surprised.
"You went to every ultrasound. When she needed someone. That is exactly who you are."
"I still should have told you."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
"It is," I said. "But it's also true that you showed up for her. Both things can be true at once."
He gave a tired smile. "You're being generous."
"No," I said. "I'm being accurate."
In the elevator, he asked, "What do we do now?"
"You keep showing up."
"For Emily?"
"For all of us. And Warrick — next time something like this happens, you tell me. Even if you're afraid I'm not ready. Even if the truth is uncomfortable. We've been married thirty-one years. Let me decide with you whether I'm ready."
He smiled faintly. "Thirty-one years."
"You secretly supported my niece through eight months of pregnancy. You sat through every ultrasound. You brought her flowers. And you still visited me while I was recovering."
"Yes."
I smiled. "I have a very good husband."
"I have a very good wife."
May you like
I laughed quietly. "That's debatable."
"No, it isn't."
