Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT THE BABY ARRIVED
Three weeks later, Olivia went into labor earlier than expected.
The hospital staff were ready for her. Her independent attorney had ensured that the guardianship dispute was documented, and the medical team had clear instructions about who could receive information and make decisions.
Luca arrived before the ambulance.
I rode with Olivia, holding her hand as she breathed through the contractions.
“I'm scared,” she whispered.
“I know,” I said. “But you're not alone.”
At the hospital, the doctors monitored both mother and baby. The delivery was difficult, but the team acted quickly.
Luca waited outside the room, his hands clasped so tightly his knuckles turned white.
For once, the most feared man in Chicago looked like an ordinary brother waiting for news.
Then a doctor came out.
“Your sister is stable. The baby has been delivered and is receiving a little extra monitoring, but she's breathing on her own.”
Luca closed his eyes.
“Can I see them?”
“Soon.”
When he entered the room, Olivia was exhausted but smiling. A tiny girl lay in a clear hospital bassinet beside her.
Luca approached slowly.
“Hello, little one.”
Olivia looked at him.
“Her name is Grace.”
He smiled through tears.
“Grace Moretti.”
He gently touched the baby's tiny hand.
I stood near the doorway, crying quietly.
Then Luca turned toward me.
“Claire, come meet my niece.”
I stepped closer.
Grace's fingers curled around mine.
May you like
For the first time in weeks, the fear in the room gave way to something softer.
But the legal fight was not over.
