For Better or Worse by Delaney Diamond

explain when I get back, okay? There’s a
lot to explain, and I’m in a hurry, so—”
    “Oh, well, you can go then, because I don’t
want to keep you.” Her lips thinned, a clear signal of anger.
    He shoved his feet into his shoes. “Don’t be
like this.”
    Instead of an answer, Cassidy turned on her
heel and marched into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Antonio
followed and turned the knob. Locked.
    “Babe . . .”
    Silence.
    Why was this happening to him? How did he get
caught up in this mess?
    Out of frustration, he punched the door.
“Dammit, Cass, you know I hate it when you do this.” He pounded on the door,
rattling it in the frame. “Open the door.”
    Silence.
    “Open the door. Now .”
    On the other side, Cassidy leaned
against the counter and crossed her arms over her waist. Emergency. Yeah,
right.
    When he pounded again, the loud rapping
almost made her jump out of her skin.
    Finally, he spoke in a more soothing
voice in an effort to coax her out. “Cass, babe, I’m sorry. I promise I’ll be
back as soon as possible, okay? The night isn’t ruined. I just have to do this
really quick, and when I get back, I’ll explain everything.”
    She refused to respond, tears filling
her eyes. He thought he’d fooled her, but he hadn’t. She knew he didn’t want to
spend time with her. His choices made it obvious where his priorities lay. 
    “So that’s it, you’re going to give me
the silent treatment?”
    When she didn’t answer, he hit the door
hard, and then there was silence.
    ****
    Antonio sat in the waiting room of the
hospital hunched over with his elbows on his knees. He should have told Cassidy
sooner. Tonight, he’d explain everything. He knew her hang-ups about men and
could only imagine what she was thinking.
    Her doubts posed a serious problem in
their relationship. She was the most important person in his life, so why
couldn’t she see that?
    Because lately you haven’t been treating
her like she’s the most important person in your life .
    Again, guilt filled him, and he tapped
his feet, anxious to get out of there and back home so he could repair what was
left of the night.
    From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed
Valentina, Emilio, and the doctor coming down the hall. The two women walked
side by side, and Valentina, much calmer now, nodded her head in understanding
as she listened to the doctor’s words. Even though it caused him problems at
home, he was glad he’d come to give her his support because she’d been a wreck
when he arrived at the hotel.
    “He’s going to be fine,” the doctor said
with a benign smile. “First-time parents often panic when their little ones get
a fever, but I’ve thoroughly examined him. There’s no rash, and he doesn’t have
any difficulty breathing. I see no cause for concern. Keep in mind a fever is a
good thing, because it means his body’s fighting an infection.”
    “She said I should make sure he stays
hydrated,” Valentina said to Antonio.
    With a nod, the doctor confirmed the
comment. “Yes, plenty of formula or breast milk if you’re still breast-feeding.
As I explained, his body’s fighting a mild infection. Keep an eye on him. If
you notice any change in his behavior, such as he won’t go back to sleep or he
won’t eat, call me. But based on my exam, you have nothing to worry about.”
    “Thank you. We appreciate it.”
    When the doctor walked away, Antonio
cupped Valentina’s shoulder. “Better?”
    “Yes.” She lifted grateful eyes to his.
“Thank you. I was so worried.”
    “I understand. One day, when Cassidy and
I have children, I’m sure I’ll behave the same way.”
    Turning toward the door, Antonio froze,
cursing under his breath because he saw his brother Ernesto across the lobby
with a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. He hadn’t approached them, for
which Antonio was grateful.
    “Stay here,” he instructed Valentina. He
marched over to his brother, whose gaze remained on Valentina