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

whispered in my ear, his warm breath

back

my shoulder as he steered us into

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

swallowing the

that was both fragile and breathtaking. The room was dimly lit, with soft beeping from monitors and a gentle hum from the warming stations. Nurses moved quietly, their voices low and calm. Everything felt sacred, like

the other side

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

whispered, tears spilling

Luke said, his voice thick with emotion.

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

arm wrapping around my shoulders as he

faster now. "She's

own eyes misty. "Yeah, she is. Just like

full, and asked, "What should

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

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

raised an

'brave and powerful. She's been 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 name on his