Chapter 101. The Woman In The Mirror

Three weeks after Clara's birth, Diana stood in the bathroom and couldn't remember the last time she had finished getting dressed without stopping halfway through.

A clean top lay on the counter. The one she was wearing needed changing. She looked at both as though choosing between them required a skill she had misplaced.

From the next room, she heard Gabriel talking softly to the baby.

Clara quieted.

Diana closed her eyes.

She was glad. She loved hearing him with their daughter. She also wanted, unreasonably, to be the person he was speaking to in that gentle voice.

The thought embarrassed her enough that she changed quickly and went out.

Gabriel sat beside the cot, Clara settled in his arms.

“Did you manage a shower?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“How do you feel?”

“Clean.”

He looked at her face, recognizing the answer hadn't told him much.

Diana kissed Clara's head, then went to find the cup of