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

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JOSH

The labor ward felt heavy with a mix of emotions-hope, fear, and exhaustion. I sat in one of the stiff hospital chairs, my sweet baby girl cradled in my arms. She was wrapped in a soft pink blanket, her tiny face scrunched in sleep, her little lips making occasional sucking

motions. She was perfect-every inch of her.

Luke sat beside me, his knee bouncing up and down like a nervous tic. He was waiting, glancing at the clock every few seconds, waiting for Jess and their baby to join us. Jess had been in the theater for an emergency procedure, and Luke had been there with her. But their little boy had been taken for checks and tests, leaving Luke pacing and restless ever since. "You're going to wear a hole in the floor," I said, breaking the silence.

Luke shot me a look, but his lips twitched into a brief smile. "I can't help it, man. I just need to see them both. I need to know they're okay."

"I get it," I said softly, glancing down at my daughter. "Believe me, I get it."

My own nerves were frayed to the breaking point. It had been two months since Laura went into the coma. Two months of

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10:20

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to see her. The doctors had warned

thoughts. Luke shot to his

face was everything-relief, joy, and overwhelming love. He rushed to her side, kissing her forehead and then their son, his

whispered to my daughter, even though my heart felt heavy. "We'll have

that. The doctors had been cautious with their words, never giving me the certainty I craved. Laura had fought off

worse news.

if lingered in my mind, the way the doctor said it when he

like that. Laura

fingers had curled around the edge of her blanket, and her face was so peaceful it almost hurt to look at her. She didn't know it yet, but she was

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288 Vouchers

Asha-it meant

testing the name out loud. It

present. He was laughing softly, holding his baby boy while Jess leaned against