And Carmen asked if it was okay if some of the presents were books and Phoebe said that would be fine.

Carmen cuddled and held the child until she fell asleep, and soon afterward Carmen’s parents arrived, and her mother’s heart nearly broke open seeing her wayward girl love her granddaughter, and there were hugs and greetings all around, and Carmen’s dad found the beanbag in the corner of the room, took Phoebe and Jack under each arm, and happily dozed off himself.

IN THE BIRTHING suite, the midwife was not happy with Sofia and was practically shouting at her.

“Come on,” she said. “You really have to push now. This baby wants out, Mum. You have to get on it. Come on.”

Sofia was still wobbling, tearful and wretched. Their mother was standing in a corner, not sure what to do, keeping out of the way. It wasn’t like Sofia to lose it, not at all.

“But this isn’t how . . .” Sofia was wailing. “Federico isn’t here! And it’s too early! And I didn’t get an epidural! And it hurts and I’m so tired . . .”

“You have to,” said the midwife. She turned to Carmen. “Can you get her a bit more motivated?” she said in a low voice. “The heart rate is dropping a little on the monitor. I’d really like this baby out of here before we have to go full blues on everyone.”

Carmen didn’t know what this meant but it sounded bad. She had a plan. “Sofia,” she said.

Sofia was writhing around. “Just . . . I’m too tired,” she said, her voice fading away.

“Well, here’s a thing,” said Carmen. “I’ve just soothed Phoebe to sleep, but she really needs you back and pretty quickly. Because Skylar called her . . . fat.”

Sofia frowned. “She what?”

“Way back in October. The little thing has been worrying herself sick about it all this time.”

“She what?!”

“I knew she was awful all along.”

“Get me off this bed!” said Sofia furiously.

Filled with the energy of molten fury, Sofia channeled her rage, grabbed the bars of the bed, squatted down with her yoga-honed limbs, and new baby boy D’Angelo was born at 2:15 A.M. on Thursday, December 19, surrounded by his loving grandmother and aunt, straight down onto the floor, accompanied by his mother screaming colorful epithets at the ceiling.

Chapter Thirty-Four

The nurse wasn’t kidding about being home for breakfast. As soon as they’d cleaned Sofia up a bit and waited for the placenta, they basically wanted the bed back.

“I’m not driving the baby home,” said Carmen immediately. “No way. I only just didn’t kill you lot.”