And for one hour, before the storm, we simply had it.

Chapter 4 — The Best Day of My Life

When visiting hours opened, Luca came through the door first, ahead of anyone, carrying a fresh vase of flowers and wearing a smile so radiant that I almost started crying all over again just at the sight of him.

“This is the absolute best day of my life, Jessi,” he breathed, and I believed him completely, because it was written all over his face, the pure uncomplicated joy of a man meeting his daughter.

He set down the flowers, and he came to my bedside and kissed my forehead, and then he turned toward Fiona’s bassinet.