The good news of Athena's pregnancy lessened considerably the effect of the bad news that had plagued the last lap of the day.
Zane watched as old Mr. Thorne, with tears in his eyes, touched Athena's womb with fatherly awe and love — a look so tender it had Ewan smiling through tears too.
It was understandable, Zane thought, because as of almost two years ago, the old man had given up on having someone bear his last name, someone tied to his blood, someone who carried the legacy of the Thorne lineage.
Now it seemed he was going to have one more.
Zane would feel over the moon too, if he had been in the latter's shoes.
He watched Gianna shake Ewan playfully, the two laughing, and found himself smiling as well, because the gloom that had perforated her face earlier was gone.
The tightness around her mouth had eased. The heaviness in her eyes had lifted. Light had returned to her, and he found himself quietly grateful for that.
