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That right completed, I turned and exited Martin’s office with my head held high. He didn’t stop me, and Arturo stepped aside. The bodyguard wore his usual mask of indifference, but I sensed he was proud of me.
As I reentered the club, employees scattered that had been gathered near the door. Only one remained and came toward me.
“You’re my hero,” Teresa said firmly.
“Was I that loud?” I made a face.
“Oh yeah.” She nodded. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamed of dressing him down like that.”
“Thanks.”
“No. Thank you.” She gave me a hug, an awkward one with my big belly between us. “Finally, someone stood up to him.” She drew back and gazed at me approvingly. “He’s been bragging about how he’d soon have you back under his thumb.”
“I will never be back under his thumb.”
She smiled. “I believe you. If you ever need a friend, just someone to talk to or to hang with, call me. You have my number.”
I nodded. “I just might take you up on that.”
I started to walk away, but a sudden pain in my abdomen and a gush of wetness stopped me.
“Oh no.” My eyes rounding, I dropped my bag.
“Did your water just break?” Teresa’s eyes went wide too.
Nodding, I reached for her, and she took my arm. At the club’s entrance, I noticed Winston arriving. Grim-faced, he marched toward me with Grace alongside him.
“We need to get Addy to a hospital. Fast,” Teresa told them. “Her water just broke.”
My triumphant solo moment was over.
Addy
Ilabored for four hours. The contractions were too far along by the time we arrived at the hospital for an epidural.
I refused to have Martin in the room, though I was told he followed us to the hospital. The doctor and the delivery nurse were the only people I allowed. The nurse coached me. When my baby was born, I was exhausted, but I’d never in my life felt such awe as I did when I first looked at her.
Mine, I thought.
Love, a deep and expansive love, filled me just looking at Ella. She was so tiny and perfect, with a cap of black hair, and blue eyes that I was told by the nurse would probably change.
I placed my finger in the palm of her little hand, and she clasped it. She looked at me and I looked at her, and that was it. A fierceness to protect and keep her at all costs pierced my chest.
I didn’t have a good example with my own mother, but I knew one thing. I loved Ella, loved her with all my heart. There was no way I could give her up. I would risk it all, risk anything for her. I wouldn’t let them take her away.
“The nurse just told us that she’s here.” Grace swept inside the room, looking impeccable in a beige-and-navy pantsuit. “You look exhausted. Let me hold her.”
“No, I—”
Winston followed his wife. His navy suit was unwrinkled and so dark it was almost black. “You need to rest. Let Grace hold her grandbaby.”
“Okay.” I released Ella.
Her grandmother held her confidently, but separated from me, the baby began to cry.
“Maybe she’s hungry,” I said. “Give her back to me.”
I reached for the tie on my hospital gown. My breasts were so heavy and full. I wanted to get started right away on breastfeeding, looking forward to a closeness that only my daughter and I could share.
