William remained at Camilla's side and stroked her hand, squeezing it so that she knew he was still next to her. She squeezed back, looked at him and gave him a wan smile. Although she looked exhausted, her ability to still smile after hours of agony reassured him.
All he wanted to do was curl up against her and weep with relief and fear, to beg her to recover soon so they could raise these children together. He managed, however, to keep himself in check. He told himself sternly that the last thing his wife needed was to see him breaking down in weakness, when she'd had to be so strong already.
