“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 ros
e 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.
Two and a half months later.
The day rose clear and cold, and the frost clinging to the winter-dormant roses shone in the early gray sunlight. In the valley below, the village of Sete Fontes hid behind a layer of gossamer fog.
Catarina smiled with a contented sigh at the view from her bedroom. So much had changed since she’d arrived in the early spring, so much would change from today.
In the bassinet by her bed, Carlota finally slept after being awake for half the night. Catarina would have to wake her in a few hours to get her ready for the christening, but for now she enjoyed the quiet.
Her phone chirped with a text from Afonso. Let me in?
She walked to the door and noiselessly turned the handle. He still wore his pajama bottoms and an old T-shirt. Catarina let him pass and closed the door behind him, glad he’d oiled the hinges last week.
“What are you doing here? If my mom and aunts catch you…” she whispered.
He laughed quietly and slipped an arm around her waist, intent clear in his eyes.
The sound of a car crawling up the drive interrupted them and brought them to the window. “Do you think it’s Luciana?” Catarina asked. Everyone else who was coming had arrived the day before, but Luciana had been on a job in New York, stranded over the Christmas season after a snowstorm.
Love Me At Sunset (Destined for Love: Mansions) Page 18