Chapter 14: Marissa's Announcement

"Good evening," Marissa said again, and smiled at the room.

"I want to thank every one of you for the hope you give to the children we serve."

The donors clapped politely, and she waited for them to finish.

"Tonight I have news that is very close to my heart," she said. "Lawson and I are going to be married."

A gasp rolled across the ballroom.

"And in the spring," Marissa said, laying her hand over the pad, "we are expecting our first child."

The room broke into applause.

Women at the front tables stood up and cried out, and champagne glasses rang.

Lawson stepped to her side and took her hand, and for one second I saw him look truly happy.

I stood at the edge of the stage and clapped with everyone else.

At the head table the uncle pushed back his chair and nodded slowly.

"And I want to thank someone very special," Marissa said, lifting her voice over the noise.

"Lawson's wife, Annabel, who has been so gracious."

"Annabel, dear, come up and say a word."

Every head turned toward me.

I walked up the three steps with my hands steady and held them out.

Marissa gave me the microphone with a gentle little smile.

She had no idea.

I looked out over two hundred faces.

I found the woman with the gray hair, who had her camera on me and her thumb on the button.

"Congratulations," I said. "I'm sure you'll both be very happy."

The crowd laughed in relief.

"But before I say good night, I'd like you all to hear something."

Lawson's smile went stiff.

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