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

part of today," Luke whispered in my ear, his warm

shivered, glancing back at

lightly on my shoulder as he steered us into another corridor. "You'll

heart was pounding now, anticipation building as we neared the neonatal ICU. Luke stopped just outside the

swallowing the

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

on the other side

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

beautiful," I whispered, tears spilling

voice thick with emotion. 1288

my eyes off her. The soft light highlighted the tiniest features I'd ever seen-her button nose, her delicate lips. My heart

his arm wrapping around my shoulders as he leaned down to kiss the top of my head. "You

though my tears were falling faster now. "She's so beautiful," I repeated, my voice

own eyes misty. "Yeah, she is. Just

to him, my heart full, and

considering for a moment. "Something strong.

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

an eyebrow.

won. She's our little fighter." Luke smiled, and the way he looked at me made