The room was quiet in the way only late evenings could be—when the city finally seemed to pause, when the lights softened, when even the air felt slower.
Marnie lay on the bed, propped up by pillows, one hand resting over her belly. The twins had been unusually calm since dinner, and for once, she wasn’t complaining. Her body was tired in that deep, heavy way that came from carrying two lives at once.
Michael sat beside her, still in his work clothes, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled up. He had just come home from the hospital, and despite the long shift, his attention was entirely on her.
“How are you feeling?” he asked quietly.
She smiled faintly. “Heavy. Sleepy. Hungry again.”
He nodded. “I’ll get you something in a bit.”
She reached for his wrist before he could stand. “Stay firs
