Catarina woke to the early sun spreading through the thin blinds, and she grabbed on to the sheet. The events of the previous night came to her.
Filipe had arrived in record-breaking time, and he’d immediately met with Detective Arantes. Within minutes, the police station came to life with activity, and reporters arrived to wait outside the building. But it wasn’t until much later that she finally got word that the two vehicles had been stopped and the occupants apprehended.
When Filipe rejoined Catarina in the waiting room, worry filled his expression when his eyes landed on her. He drove her to the hospital, where she was admitted to the labor & delivery floor for overnight observation. The attending doctor explained to her how thirty-seven weeks was not too early to have a baby, and despite Catarina’s concerns, the doctor had her hooked up to the monitors, with an IV in her arm and a promise that Dr. Paula would come see her in the morning.
After she rested and rehydrated, the early labor slowed down. As uncomfortable as she was with irregular contractions, the physical and emotional fatigue were greater, and she was able to sleep intermittently.
Filipe had left soon after she was admitted, and Catarina didn’t know where he was. She would have to wait for him to return and tell her about Afonso.
The attending doctor came in right after the early breakfast, followed by a nurse. “How are you feeling today?” the doctor asked. He pulled out a stool and sat close to her bed. “Did you rest any?”
“A little,” Catarina replied. “These false labor contractions are pretty tiring.” Not to mention the dull pain she’d been having since the day before.
The doctor smiled. “They are tiring because they’re not false labor. You’re actually in labor. The real deal.”
Catarina’s jaw dropped, and her heart squeezed. “What? I’m not ready to have my baby.” It was happening too soon.
The doctor chuckled. “Ready or not, the baby is coming. We’ve been monitoring you through the night, and even though the contractions have been irregular, you are in labor. I know I told you yesterday that Dr. Paula would be coming this morning, but she was delayed on a trip. She asked me to go ahead and check your progress so we can decide where to go from there.”
After the exam, the doctor threw his gloves in the garbage. “You’re dilated to four centimeters. I’m going to talk to Dr. Paula and see what she wants to do. In the meantime, do you need anything? Can we call anyone for you?”
Catarina sighed. “I think I left my tablet in my cousin’s truck when he brought me yesterday. I don’t have any numbers with me.”
“What about your file? Do you have an emergency contact written there?” the nurse asked.
Had Catarina even put down an emergency number? “I can’t remember.”
“I’ll go check for you,” the nurse said.
She returned a few minutes later. “I looked at your file from the last time you were here, and I called the number under the emergency contact. He said he’s on his way.”
Catarina sat up in bed. “He did? Who did you call?”
“It said Afonso Cortez. Is it not right?”
Afonso was coming. Catarina swallowed the emotion in her throat and nodded. “No, it’s right.”
After the nurse left, Catarina wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. If he said he was coming, then he must be free to do so. She’d feared things would go wrong and he’d been detained again, but he was coming. She still had no idea where Afonso was traveling from and only hoped he could make it before the baby arrived.
Catarina waited all morning. The nurse brought her a light snack, but after lunch time, neither Afonso nor Dr. Paula had shown up.
After being in the same position all morning, Catarina asked to leave the bed for a respite. The contractions were still coming, bothersome and increasingly painful, but she needed a change. Waiting had worn out her patience: waiting for Dr. Paula, for Afonso, for the baby.
She dragged the IV stand and walked to the window with the nurse’s help. A soft knock sounded at the door.
“Is it safe to come in?” a male voice asked.
Catarina covered her lips with her fingers. He was here. Afonso was here.
“It’s safe,” the nurse replied. She turned to Catarina and smiled. “Looks like your emergency contact finally made it.”
The nurse opened the door to leave, and Afonso stepped in, timidly looking around. When he found the bed empty, he frowned.
“Afonso,” Catarina said.
He looked in her direction, and a smile split his face, relief in his expression. In three large strides, he crossed the room to her side. “Catarina,” he said in a low voice. Gingerly, he draped his arms around her shoulders and brought her closer to him.
Catarina inhaled deeply, relishing the embrace. She’d missed him so much.
Catarina let out a sigh. “You’re here.”
He pulled out to look at her. “Are you in pain? The nurse said you’re in labor.”
“I’ve been so worried about you,” they both said at the same time.
Afonso chuckled and passed a hand through her hair. “You’re the one having the baby. Truly, how are you?”
Catarina couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m better now that you’re here.” A stronger contraction started in her lower back and she closed her eyes, hanging on to Afonso’s arm. When it passed, she took a breath and reopened her eyes. “That was a big one. I think the baby knew I wanted you here before it started for real.”
“Do you need to sit down?” His expression was full of concern. “What can I do for you?”
Catarina perched on the edge of the upholstered chair and held her breath as another wave of pain and pressure started. A bead of sweat rolled down her back.
“I’m getting the nurse,” Afonso said. Worry laced his voice.
The nurse arrived within minutes with Afonso right behind.
“Okay, Catarina, let’s get you back in bed and hooked to the monitor,” the nurse said.
Catarina didn’t protest.
With Afonso helping on one side and the nurse on the other, Catarina climbed back in bed. The nurse wrapped the monitor band around her belly and turned on the monitor as another contraction seized Catarina.
Catarina fell back against the pillows after it passed. Things were definitely moving quicker now.
Dr. Paula entered and pulled on a pair of gloves from the box on the counter. “Catarina, I heard your baby is ready to come.” She eyed Afonso and smiled. “Awesome. The dad is here. Are you going to stick around?”
“Afonso Cortez. How are you?” Afonso didn’t correct Dr. Paula.
“I’m great. Let me check Catarina and see how she’s doing.” She pulled a stool to the end of the bed, and the nurse dropped the footboard for better access.
Afonso turned toward the door, his neck red. “I’ll come back in a few.” Before Catarina had time to reply, he was out the door.
The nurse and Dr. Paula laughed. “Guys are so funny when it comes to childbirth,” Dr. Paula said.
The doctor threw the gloves in the garbage after the exam. “You’re at a tight six. We can wait to see how it progresses, and we can also help it along with some Pitocin which helps labor move faster.”
Catarina’s stomach churned. She’d already asked the other doctor, but she had to know. “So it’s not too early for the baby to be born?”
The doctor consulted Catarina’s chart. “You’re past thirty-seven weeks, which is considered full term.” She flipped through a few pages, then looked to Catarina. “You’ve been measuring small throughout your pregnancy, but your baby’s last measurements showed consistent growth, and he or she looks to be doing great.” She smiled. “Everything will be fine.”
Catarina released the breath she’d been holding in and nodded. “If you say so.”
Dr. Paula patted Catarina’s leg. “I definitely say so.” She looked back through the chart. “We talked about you getting an epidural. Are you still interested?”
“Yes, please,” Catarina replied without hesitation.
“All right then. I’ll get the anesthesiologist to come first. I’ll check back with you soon to decide about the Pitocin.”
The anesthesiologist came thirty minutes later, and while the experience of receiving the epidural was less fun than Catarina had hoped, the prospect of unmedicated labor was something she didn’t want to deal with.
Afonso returned half an hour after that.
“You’re back,” Catarina said.
“I’m back.” He smiled and handed her a paper gift bag. “I got you a few things.”
She peeked inside. “My tablet.” It was actually Filipe’s tablet, but she’d been using it for a while.
“Filipe asked me to return it.”
Inside the bag there was also a pair of white socks, a packet of mint gum, a pen and a small pad, and her favorite brand of flavored water. “Thank you, Afonso. This is so thoughtful.”
His neck reddened. “I know you didn’t get the chance to bring anything, but Luciana said she’ll pack a bag for you when she gets here.”
“Did you call her?”
“Yes, she’s driving to Porto to bring your parents, possibly later today or tomorrow morning. Tiago said he’ll come on Saturday with your grandma and aunts.”
“How did you talk to Tiago?”
He nodded. “I met him, plus your dad, granddad, and some other cousins, aunts, and uncles.”
“How did that happen? You need to tell me everything.” She still didn’t know what had happened after Afonso had left with Anabela’s brother.
Afonso chuckled. “Are you up for it?”
“I got the epidural.” Catarina smiled. “Now I’m just waiting.”
Afonso stood and watched the monitor to the side of the bed. “Your contractions have picked up quite a bit.”
Catarina craned her neck. “Really?”
He gestured at the screen. “Look at the peaks.”
“I can’t feel anything. It’s great.” Thank goodness for modern medicine. “Start with what happened after you left the house.”
Afonso sat back down. “I tried to speed every time I saw another vehicle, hoping someone would report us, or a highway patrol car would pull us over, but Anabela’s brother wouldn’t let me. I kept trying to talk him out of it, which didn’t work either. Fortunately we ran out of gas, so we had to stop to fill up, and when we were about to leave, three patrol cars cut us off.”
“What about Anabela?”
“She was pulled over for speeding, and when they ran her driver’s license, the warrant for her arrest came up.”
Dr. Paula and two nurses entered the room. Catarina looked up in surprise. She’d been so focused on listening to Afonso that, for a moment, she’d almost forgotten the baby was coming soon.
“Let’s see if you’re ready,” the doctor said.
Afonso stood to leave again, but this time Catarina latched on to his hand, holding him in place. The nurses moved to each side of Catarina, and one of them draped a sheet from Catarina’s belly to her knees. The other dropped the footboard and lifted the stirrups. Afonso looked at Catarina, then squeezed her fingers. He sat back down and scooted his chair closer to the head of the bed. The nurses bent Catarina’s legs at the knee, holding them in position for the exam. Afonso focused on Catarina’s face, blushing furiously in his attempt to give her privacy.
Dr. Paula peeked over the sheet. “You’re dilated to ten, one hundred percent effaced, and your contractions are coming in every two minutes. When the next contraction starts, I want you to push.”
Catarina’s eyes widened. “Already? I can’t feel anything. How do I know when to push?” This was happening too fast. She still hadn’t wrapped her brain around the idea of having her baby at thirty-seven weeks, and now the baby was coming.
“We’ll tell you when to push. When we count to ten, I want you to hold in your breath and bear down through the push until we stop counting.”
Catarina did as they told her. One push after another, through each count of ten, holding on to Afonso’s hand as if she could get the strength she needed from him. He’d migrated closer to her, his face almost sharing the same pillow, whispering words of encouragement, but an hour and a half later Catarina was still pushing.
After another count to ten, she fell back against the pillow. “I can’t do this,” she panted. She was so tired; so ready to have her baby and had no strength left.
Afonso wiped the sweat from her forehead with a cool washcloth and brought an ice chip to her lips. She sucked on it, lacking the stamina for more.
The nurses and doctor gave her a few minutes of reprieve, their worried expressions weighing on her as they talked in hushed tones.
When the word cesarean reached her ears, she shook her head. “No, not that.” She panted. “Let me try again.”
Dr. Paula and both nurses rushed to their former positions. Afonso braced himself at her side, holding on to her hand and forearm. “You can do it, Catarina,” he said softly in her ear.
The gentle words gave her courage. If Afonso said it, it must be true, because Afonso never lied. He was the most honest person she knew, and she believed him. She could do it.
They started counting again, and Catarina scrunched her eyes. She bore down, giving her all. In her mind she repeated I can do it, I can do it, Afonso’s words echoing along with hers. Catarina concentrated on his strong hand holding hers, on the warmth of his body next to hers as her own body trembled with the hardest thing she’d ever had to do. She pushed and pushed until she ran out of breath. Once, twice, three times she pushed. At last, with a final thrust, the baby was out, and Catarina fell back, the wave of relief washing through her. A tiny cry rent the air, and Catarina smiled through her tears. Her baby was born.
Dr. Paula stood and, in a swift movement, the nurse placed a warm blanket on Catarina’s chest and the doctor gently passed the squirming infant onto Catarina’s welcoming body.
“Congratulations, Catarina. It’s a girl.”
Catarina half sobbed, half laughed as she watched her daughter, flailing fists and angry red face, complaining at the top of her lungs. The nurses pulled the blanket tighter on the baby, and Catarina’s arms went around her daughter.
“I have a daughter,” she said to Afonso. His eyes were red and suspiciously wet, and a wide grin lit his face.
He bent closer and kissed her forehead, and she felt his tears against her skin. “Well done, Catarina. Well done.”
Her daughter was born.
* * *
Afonso knocked softly, and Catarina waved him in. “Afonso, you’re here.”
“I’m sorry I’m late.” Between getting the house ready for guests and giving Catarina’s family time to visit with her, he’d finally arrived at the hospital after visiting hours.
The room was semidark, with the peripheral lights on and a fluorescent bulb that shone from the wall over the bed. Catarina straightened and smiled. He’d missed her smile so much. He carried a pink Mylar balloon and one long-stemmed rose in a single vase, which he set down on the free-standing tray.
Catarina sat on the bed with a small bundle in her arms. “How did you get in after hours?”
He pulled a chair closer to the bed. “I was ready to bribe the nurse, but she recognized me from before.”
“And they still think you’re the father, don’t they?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t feel like correcting them.” What would Catarina say if he offered to be her baby’s father?
Before sitting down, he brushed a kiss on Catarina’s forehead. Her eyes softened, and he wished he could take her in his arms and give her a real kiss. In due time, preferably sooner than later.
Catarina scooted to the side and shifted the baby from her arms to the mattress, where Afonso could see her better.
“She looks so different already,” Afonso said. It had been a day since the baby’s birth, and he noted the changes.
Catarina chuckled. “She was pretty mad when she was born, all red and puffy.” She loosened the blanket and uncovered the baby’s feet. “I love her little feet. Actually, I love all her little parts.” The smile on Catarina’s face showed all the love she had for her daughter.
“Do you have a name for her yet?”
“Carlota Beatriz.” She looked up to Afonso, expectantly.
“Wasn’t there a princess named Carlota?”
“Was there?”
He nodded. “I’m pretty sure there was. I like it. A royal name for a little princess.”
They watched the baby as she slept peacefully between them, and Afonso burned the moment in his mind and willed it to last forever. Just the three of them together. He’d give everything to get his wish. “I think she looks like you.”
“You really think so?” Catarina glanced at him and then back at the baby.
“That little nose is definitely all yours.”
Catarina’s lips stretched into a small smile. “This is going to sound petty, but I’ve been so worried she’d look more like Juan-Carlos.” She didn’t say like her husband or like Carlota’s dad, and Afonso could have kissed her right that moment, hoping it meant she was moving on and looking to the future. A future that included him.
“You didn’t get to finish telling me what happened after the highway patrol cars caught you and Anabela’s brother,” Catarina said.
“They had the license plate for the truck, so they knew it was the vehicle they were looking for. Filipe said you gave the plate number to the police? I didn’t know you had it memorized.” He still didn’t know all the details of what had happened after he was forced to drive with Anabela’s brother.
“I didn’t. When you left, I went to the sliding door and told Anabela I was watching you leave. But I fogged up the glass and wrote the license number down. I didn’t trust myself to memorize it.” She shrugged.
“But how did Anabela let you go?”
Catarina’s mouth rose in a little smile. “I pretended I was in labor, and she left. She smashed my phone on her way out, and I called the Silvas from the tablet. They drove me to Castelo Branco.”
Afonso watched her, the admiration growing in his chest. “You are amazing, you know that?” Afonso rested a hand on her forearm. “Here you are in labor, and you outsmart the woman who was holding you hostage and then go to the police before you go to the hospital, which you didn’t even have to do.”
“Of course I had to do it.” Her expression hardened. “I wasn’t going to let her get away with ruining the life of the man I—” She stopped short. “I just couldn’t.”
His breath hitched. Did she almost say what he thought she meant? Catarina had hinted before about her feelings for him, but they hadn’t had the chance to talk about it since then. His heart jumped in his chest as a cautiously joyous anticipation took root in it.
Catarina went on. “I couldn’t let her send you to prison for something that wasn’t your fault. And she had a bomb planned, didn’t she?”
Afonso nodded, continuing the conversation, but really wanting to get to the part he had in mind. “She did. It was in a Porto warehouse. That’s why it took longer for me to return. After they got Anabela, we were all brought in for questioning. Matias and Filipe came to the station and registered their depositions, and that took a while.” He’d made sure there was enough evidence on record to charge Anabela and her brother. “Afterward, Matias took me to his apartment for a shower and a change of clothes, and we had an early breakfast at your grandparents’, where I met some of your family.”
“Why did Anabela do all of it?” Catarina asked.
“It turns out that Anabela’s father worked for Senhor Valadares, and he died in the same accident that killed Vanessa’s mother. Anabela always blamed it on the company and grew up resentful. She used her mother’s maiden name to get a job on the ship and planned for a chance to get even.” As more details had emerged about Anabela, Afonso had struggled to know he’d been a willing part in her plan last year. His lack of judgment had been tremendous, and he’d learned his lesson the hard way.
The baby flinched in her sleep, and Catarina tightened the blanket around her. “I’m just glad that it’s over.”
“It is. They’ve both been arraigned and will be incarcerated while they await trial.” Afonso was ready to move on and truly put his past behind him. He took a breath, gathering the courage to say what he should have said a long time ago.
Catarina looked to Afonso, then back down to the baby. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
Her tone was serious, with a twinge of hesitancy, and Afonso turned to her.
“It’s something I found out when Luciana came to see me after my fall.” Catarina took a breath. “I’ve had time to think today. I want to come clean and tell you everything I’ve held back from you.”
A knot twisted in his chest. Where was she going with this?
“Luciana got curious about you being a pianist, and she Googled your name. And as the links and pictures loaded, she found some from when you played in Barcelona.” She paused and breathed in, as if to get courage to go on. “There was one picture in particular, taken after a concert at the opera house, with the mayor and the maestro, and, of course, you in the middle, and to the other side, one of the symphony patrons and his wife.”
Afonso took her closest hand in his, anticipating what she was going to say.
“That patron was Juan-Carlos, and the wife was me.” She sniffled. “I’m that Dulce Vega that Anabela mentioned. His name was Juan-Carlos de Aragón y Vega, and Dulce was the name he gave me.” She paused and swallowed.” I don’t remember meeting you, Afonso. I was in such a dark place at that time. I’d just found out he’d had another affair, and there I was, having to pose next to him pretending everything was okay.” She wiped the tears on her face and took a fortifying breath. “I don’t even have the courage to show it to you, but it’s on the internet, with a link to the Barcelona newspaper. I’m sure you can find it easily.”
Afonso traced a circle with his thumb on the back of her hand. “I know, Catarina.” It was his turn to confess. “I remember that photo op. When I arrived at Sunset Manor, I didn’t recognize you right away, but you seemed familiar. It was the reason I asked if we’d met before. You looked so different from when you’d been with him, and I wasn’t sure.”
She blushed. “I was a different person back then.”
“I looked up your husband’s name a few months ago after Filipe said something in passing. I found out Juan-Carlos’ family is from Barcelona and eventually I saw that picture too.” He’d been shocked to see it. “I remember meeting that young woman and thinking how sad her eyes were.” He’d thought about her for days.
“You never said anything.” Catarina pulled her hand and covered her face. “I can’t even imagine what you must think of me, all the lies I told, everything I held back from you.”
Afonso reached for her hand again. “I never said anything because I wanted to avoid this—you blaming yourself for something that was not completely your fault. You don’t have to be ashamed of your past, Catarina. You’re not that person anymore.” Just thinking about what she had gone through with that man, it made him sick. “You’re so brave, and you’ve come so far. You even tricked Anabela and your quick thinking was instrumental in bringing her down.” He reached a finger and touched the baby’s hair with a gentle stroke. “And look what you’ve done. She’s so beautiful.”
Catarina placed her fingers on the baby’s hands and smiled through her tears. “She is, isn’t she? So beautiful and perfect. What did I do to deserve her?” She sighed. “I don’t even know what I’m going to do when I leave the hospital.”
“For now, we’re still at the manor house. Your cousins are setting up a nursery in the sitting area of your suite.” He brought a finger to his lips. “Shh, it’s a surprise. Don’t tell them I told you.”
She mimicked the gesture. “I’ll be surprised. Is Filipe selling Sunset Manor then?”
“He’s seriously thinking about it. The Silvas decided to retire and with the end of my contract in a couple of weeks, Filipe said he might not wait till spring to sell. He hasn’t listed it yet, but he’s had some private offers, and he’s having the lawyers go over them.”
“I have mixed feelings about that place.” She sighed, and her voice turned wistful. “I’m pretty sure I won’t miss living so far away from everything, but I have lots of fond memories.”
“Me too.” They’d met at Sunset Manor, and that was something he’d never forget.
Catarina bit her lip. “What are your plans now that you’re almost done with your contract? Do you know where you’re going next?”
Afonso gathered his courage. This was it. Please, don’t let him botch it. “My plans are a bit flexible, but I’ve been looking at this place here in town.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and, minding the sleeping baby, leaned closer to Catarina, showing her the screen as he swiped through the pictures. “I found this apartment. Well, it’s actually a small two-story building. The ground floor has a garage that spans the length of the house with lots of storage space, plus a backyard. It’s located ten to fifteen minutes from downtown, depending on the traffic. The apartment is on the first floor. It’s a three-bedroom, one and a half baths, large kitchen and dining room, plus a family room with an office nook. It’s in good condition and the seller is motivated. It just needs a good cleaning and some fresh paint.” He was talking too fast, and he paused to inhale. “What do you think?”
Catarina straightened and took the baby in her arms, leaning away from him. “It’s nice. You’ll have lots of space, for sure. The price looks good too.”
A bead of sweat rolled down the back of his neck. He wasn’t explaining things right, and Catarina was pulling away from him already. “There was a reward attached to Anabela’s capture, and with the final pay from working at Sunset Manor coming in, it would be a good investment. As for the extra space, I thought—I thought—like you said, there’s so much room for just one person. What are your plans?” he blurted. This conversation was not going the way he’d imagined.
Catarina frowned. “I don’t know what my plans are yet. My parents asked me if I’d like to return to Porto. It would be nice to have family close by and to raise Carlota around them.” She worried her bottom lip, watching the baby. “There’s so much to consider.”
How could he compete with her family when there was only one of him? If she wanted to go to Porto, he’d follow her there, but he had to find out what she thought of his plan first. “You know, I’m looking for someone to share the house with. If you wanted to stay in Castelo Branco,” he added. Why was this so hard? The more he said, the harder it got.
“Are you asking me to share a house with you?”
“I was thinking more like a roommate.”
“A roommate?” Her voice took on an incredulous tone. “I just had a baby. What kind of proposition is that?” She shifted the baby into the crook of her arm, her expression tight and her eyes cast down.
Afonso stood, slipped his phone into his pocket, and knelt on the floor by the bed, taking her free hand into both of his. “It’s a proposal, and I’m making a mess of it.”
Catarina’s eyes widened, and her chin dropped in surprise.
“I’m asking you to marry me, Catarina.” Relief came over him at finally saying what he really had wanted to say for too long. “I’m so nervous, I can’t even get the right words out, but I love you so much, and I don’t want to lose you. Neither of you.” From his other pocket, he drew a square box and opened the lid. A simple white-gold band with three tiny diamonds.
Catarina’s eyes filled with tears, and she choked on a sob. She tugged at his hands, and that was all the encouragement he needed. Afonso rose and sat next to her on the bed, placing his arms around her and the baby, his heart filled with more love than he ever thought possible.
Catarina buried her face in his neck and kissed him there. “I love you too, Afonso,” she whispered in his ear. “I’m so glad you came to Sunset Manor.”
He closed his eyes and savored the closeness between them. Hope surged inside him. “Is that a yes?”
She leaned back to look at him, and the corner of her mouth raised in a teasing smile. “That depends—do you want a roommate or a wife?”
“Definitely a wife.”
“Then my answer is yes.”
Afonso slipped the ring onto her finger, then he reached a hand behind her neck and pulled Catarina closer, covering her lips with his mouth and pouring all his love into the gesture.
She would never doubt his love.