"You should be careful with this for now," he said.
"I'm okay. It's okay," she said. "I forget myself sometimes." Her good hand came up and touched his face. "Baby…I'm okay."
His eyes closed briefly. The darkness was always closer than he wanted it to be, counting the damage David had left behind. "The doctor said you could have it fixed in your second trimester...If you cannot hold on for that long…"
"Luca, it's fine. It is just for a couple more weeks. The damned thing itches sometimes, but I'm fine." Vee held his jaw between her palm and fingers until he looked directly at her. "Look at me."
He did. Her eyes were steady.
"I'm strong enough."
"Oh yes, you are," Luca said, smiling. He glanced at the vanity, where her bottles, serums, and other sacred female mysteries were arranged in careful little rows. "Are you done with your…" He gestured vaguely. "I don't even know what to call it."
"Mama's got to stay pretty. So do not mock what you do not know."
