“After the delivery, there will be a few family matters to settle.”
Daniel glanced at me.
“What matters?”
Vivian touched the basket handle.
“Nothing difficult. We have all been discussing how best to keep the children connected to both sides
of the family.”
I closed the pen in my hand.
“What does that require from me?”
She gave me the careful smile she used when she wanted a request to sound generous.
“Nothing you should worry about today.”
“Then why bring it up today?”
She did not answer.
Instead, she lifted an apple from the basket and rubbed it with the corner of the tissue paper before setting it back.
“Babies make people think about the future.”
Daniel picked up the hospital bag.
“We should go upstairs.”
Vivian smiled at him.
“Yes. We should.”
She did not say where she expected me to be included in that “we.”
The family lounge was nearly empty at 2:35. Vivian arranged the fruit from the basket onto a white tray while Daniel stood near the window. I stayed beside him, one hand resting on the strap of my hospital bag.
“You really
should eat,” Vivian said.
“I am fine.”
“After the delivery, you will need help.”
“We have help.”
“I mean family help.”
Daniel looked at the tray. “Mom, what are you asking?”
Vivian placed two grapes beside the apple.
“I am asking nothing.”
“You brought it up.”
“I mentioned the babies.”
“You mentioned arrangements.”
Vivian turned toward me.
“Elena, surely you understand that I am trying to make this easier.”
“For whom?”
She picked up a napkin and folded it once.
“For everyone.”
I waited.
She continued.
“Leo will have people who love him. Karen will be there. I will be there. Daniel will be there. There is no reason for anyone to make ordinary family support into a legal question.”
The blue hospital folder was not in her hands, but I knew it was nearby.
I said, “If a document needs my signature, I will read it before I sign
it.”
Her expression stayed pleasant.
“Nobody said anything about signing.”
Daniel shifted his weight.
