What happened next moved quickly. Eleanor went into Martha’s office alone, leaving her son and daughter-in-law in the lobby. Edward, avoiding Natalie’s eyes, tried to take her hand, but she pulled it away at once as if his touch burned.
— Natalie, I know I was wrong. I never should have gone along with Mom. I just felt so sorry for you. I only agreed because I thought it would spare you, — he said weakly. — From now on I’ll be on your side. I’ll be the best father in the world. I can’t live without you.
At that moment Martha came out of the office and asked Natalie to come with her. Edward stood too, but Martha held up a hand.
— You stay here, young man.
When they turned the corner, Martha began speaking.
— I’m glad the truth finally came out. I haven’t had a peaceful day since all this happened. I had a feeling that little girl wouldn’t stay with us forever. And for what it’s worth, she’s been very well cared for. She’s had therapy, massage, all of it. She’s almost sitting up on her own now. And she smiles — oh, she has the sweetest smile.
Martha walked ahead with the easy confidence of someone on her own ground. When she glanced back and saw tears in Natalie’s eyes, she understood these were not tears of despair but of anticipation. When they entered a room that looked more like a nursery than an institution, Natalie nearly lost her breath. Beside a crib stood a young nurse smiling down at the baby and chatting to her.
— How’s our little girl today? — Martha asked.
— Great. Look how tightly she grips her toy now. You can barely pry her fingers loose.
Natalie moved toward the crib slowly, as if afraid to break the moment. Martha motioned for the nurse to step out.
— Camila… hello, baby girl. Mommy missed you so much, — Natalie whispered. — I’m here now. I’m not leaving you again.
She reached out carefully to touch the baby, and the little girl immediately wrapped her tiny fist around Natalie’s finger and held on.
— She’s beautiful, — Natalie whispered, awestruck. — Can I hold her?
— Of course you can, — Martha said, understanding that one abandoned child had just ceased to be abandoned. — But why Camila?
— After the person who opened my eyes and led me to my daughter, — Natalie said quietly.
By then the baby had relaxed completely and laid her head trustingly on her mother’s shoulder.
— Does she know me? — Natalie asked, even as she knew how impossible the question sounded.
— Maybe. Who knows how babies’ minds work — especially these children. Sometimes when nature takes something, it gives something else back.
By evening the Whitakers returned home with their daughter. Eleanor had already been there, putting the house back in order. The nursery furniture and baby things had been returned to their places. The kitchen table was crowded with bottles, jars, and baby supplies. Flowers stood in vases throughout the house. When she saw Natalie in the doorway holding the baby, Eleanor froze, unsure what to do. Then she looked at the child and suddenly began to cry. She sank down onto the floor and repeated only one sentence:
