nctuary, our sprawling villa on Lo

hed i

de Roche Bobois sofa, Mark's hand resting

gain!" she giggled, pressing his

, unadulterated tenderness I hadn't se

fists clenching the div

e. His smi

d another panic attack today. The doctor said it's severe pren

aped me. "This i

ed, pleading. "Once the baby is born, I'll sort things out. I'll help

er word. I turned

I could hear their

a strong little kicker!" Sophi

k and I used to share, and let the

o bed. He tried to spoon me, hi

ce thick with what sounded like contritio

didn't know I hadn't

ipped through the house from the g

! Get away! Stop fi

ven bothering with slippers

ith his low, soothing murmurs, pun

nstairs. The smell of frying bacon, Ma

inst the counter, while Mark,

a sly smile to

false sweetness. "Mark was just saying how... inconvenie

ave people looking out for me. *Real* people. People who matter.

a stumbled, cried out, and dramatically clutched her

ng a trembling finger at me. "S

the plate.

ushed to Sophia, his face a mas

e roared, scooping Sophia into his ar

y to the hospital, leaving me standing ami