They were both beaming, all of them at the top of their individual worlds.
But as had always been their dynamic, both women gave Amy a little shove toward the microphone, letting her take the heat of the spotlight for all of them.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without these two wonderful women beside me and the brilliant men who conceived these panels, most especially my husband who didn’t dismiss me when I said ‘What if we show your workers asking Mother Nature for consent?’”
A ripple of laughter went through the room at the unusual campaign.
“I’m the one who said she was out of her mind,” Clare interjected, making Amy laugh because that was exactly what her friend had said, before assuring her she trusted her and encouraging her to go for it.
Something happened when Amy laughed, though. A release. She felt the flood of dampness and cringed with an agony of embarrassment.
“Ames?” Bea squeezed her arm. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“This is not a stunt for more publicity, I swear.” Amy shaded her eyes and looked for her husband who was already moving quickly toward her, an anxious expression on his face. “But I’m about to make a scene.”
“Amore, what’s wrong?”
“I’m so sorry, Luca. My water broke.”
As the whole room erupted, Luca gathered her into his side. “Of course, it did,” he said ruefully. “Never a dull moment. Do you know how much I love you for that?”
Her love for him was touch and go for the next few hours while she labored to bring their son into the world, but at dawn, when she woke to see him cradling their newborn, her feelings toward him defied words.
He barely looked any worse for wear despite the fact he’d been up all night. His love for her and their son glowed from his expression when he noticed she was awake.
“Do you know how much I love you?” she asked.
“I think I do,” he said, caressing her jaw and kissing her temple. “But tell me anyway.”
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