Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

EMERSYN

JESS

he quiet hum of the hospital filled the air as Luke pushed my wheelchair out of Laura's room in the ICU. My heart felt lighter now. Seeing Laura awake, talking-even if she was weak-was a miracle I hadn't dared hope for just hours ago. Josh was at her side, practically glued to her, his hand clutching hers like he was afraid she'd disappear if he let go.

"Take it easy, you big oaf," Laura had teased, her voice hoarse but filled with that familiar sass. "I'm not going anywhere."

Josh just shook his head, tears brimming in his eyes. "You scared me," he whispered. "Never do that again, okay?"

"I'll do my best, but no promises," Laura joked, her lips twitching into a small smile.

Luke had been silent, standing behind me, but his presence was steady, grounding. When it was time to leave, I'd squeezed Laura's hand and smiled through my own tears.

"You scared us all, you know," I said softly.

"Yeah, well," Laura replied with a faint grin, "you've got a baby to think about now, so quit worrying about me."

I didn't know how she could joke, but it gave me hope.

Now, as Luke wheeled me down the hallway, the sterile scent of the hospital seemed less oppressive. EMERSYN

11

best part of today," Luke whispered in

glancing back

shoulder as he steered us into another

hallways blurred past us, a mix of soft colors and quiet sounds, but I barely noticed. My heart was pounding now, anticipation building as we neared the neonatal ICU. Luke stopped just outside the door, leaning down so his face was close to mine. "Ready?" he asked, his voice

swallowing the lump

and we entered a world that was both fragile and breathtaking. The room was dimly lit, with soft beeping from monitors and a gentle hum

on the other side of the

with the smallest cap covering her head. Her little fists were curled up beside her cheeks, and her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. The world tilted for a moment, and I felt Jike I might break into a thousand pieces just

tears spilling

said, his voice thick with emotion. 1288

her. The soft light highlighted the tiniest features I'd ever seen-her button nose, her

arm wrapping around my shoulders as he leaned down to kiss

now.

chuckled softly, his own eyes misty. "Yeah,

him, my heart full, and asked, "What should we

head, considering for a moment. "Something strong. She's already proven she's a

my mind, one that felt right. "What about Emersyn?" I said

raised an eyebrow.

fighting from the moment she came into this world," I explained, my fingers brushing against the glass. "And she won. She's our little fighter." Luke smiled, and the way he looked at me made my heart skip a beat. "Emersyn," he said, testing the