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

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JESS

Walking into Laura's hospital room was like stepping into another world-one that felt suspended in time. The sterile beeping of the machines filled the space, a constant reminder of how fragile everything was. Luke's hand brushed against mine as we entered, our daughter

holding tightly to my other hand, her little fingers wrapped around mine for comfort.

Josh was sitting in the corner, cradling his baby girl. The sight was enough to crack my already fragile composure. He rocked back and forth in the chair, his eyes locked on the tiny bundle in his arms. His lips moved, murmuring something soft and reverent, and it wasn't until I moved closer that I could hear him.

"She's so perfect," he whispered, his voice cracking. He didn't look up, and he hadn't noticed us yet. His entire world was in that child-and in Laura, lying so still in the hospital bed. "She has to wake up. I can't do this without her. I need her. I need her with me." The words were like a punch to my gut. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my own emotions in check.

Luke gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before walking over to Josh. He crouched down beside his best friend and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Josh, you've been here all night," Luke said softly. "Why don't you let me take her for a bit? Go home and have a shower. Eat something. We'll be right here when you get back. I promise."

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his eyes red and puffy, the glaze of exhaustion and despair etched into every feature. He hesitated, clutching his daughter closer for a moment. "I don't want

good to her like this. She's going to need you to be

said finally, standing slowly. He handed his baby girl to Luke with a tenderness that nearly broke me. Watching him relinquish her felt like watching him

the baby effortlessly, his fatherly instincts kicking in immediately. Meanwhile, Josh walked over to Laura's bedside. His movements were hesitant as if he was afraid she might shatter under his touch. He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently,

be back, beautiful," he murmured. "Don't wake

it tightly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. The sight of him-this strong, proud man brought to his knees by

"Call me if anything changes," he said. "I'll

just let him walk out without some kind of reassurance. Reaching out, I took his arm and pulled him into a hug. He stiffened

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to my shoulder. "She's going to be okay," I whispered, hoping-praying-that it was

he finally pulled back, there was a flicker of something in his eyes-hope, maybe, or just the tiniest sliver of strength. He gave me a weak

Laura is sleeping right now, honey," I said softly to my daughter, guiding her toward the bed. "But you

the bed. Her small hand reached out and wrapped around Laura's limp one. Seeing it brought tears to my eyes,

baby. He was so good at this- steady and calm in the face of chaos. It was

said to Josh. This time, I wasn't sure if he was