A nurse stepped out, smiling. "They're ready for you."
Vee forgot everything. Her heart leapt. She was already moving before the nurse finished speaking, nearly racing down the hall while Marco and Luca got to their feet and followed behind her. Marco looked excited and terrified all over again. Luca followed with slower steps, his face carefully blank.
The nurse led them into a quiet room washed in soft yellow light. Curtains were drawn halfway. A plastic bassinet stood near the bed.
Valentina lay against the pillows, exhausted, pale, beautiful, and smiling. Her hair was messy, her lips dry, her face tired beyond words, but there was a glow around her Vee had never seen before.
Her baby sister was now a woman. A mother. "My baby," Vee cried.
"Hey, Vee."
Vee walked quickly to the bed and wrapped Val in a hug. "I'm so proud of you, baby," Vee whispered. "So, so proud. Look at you. You did it."
"You are an aunt," Val said.
