Chapter 99. The Hand She Asked For

On a September evening, Diana stopped in the hall and waited for the tightening to ease.

Gabriel was in the kitchen. She could hear a drawer opening, then the sound of him putting something down.

“Diana?”

She looked toward the doorway.

“I think we need to call.”

He came to her without asking her to walk farther. His eyes moved over her face, and for a moment she saw the frightened man beneath all the practical preparations.

Then he held out his hand.

She took it.

They called the maternity team, described what was happening and followed the guidance they were given. There was time for Gabriel to collect the bag. Time for Diana to change her shoes. Time for her to stand in the bedroom and forget why she had come into it.

He found her there.

“What do you need?”

“My sweater. I think.”

He took it from the chair and held it while she put her arms into the sleeves.

The ordinary action nearly made her cry.

“