He simply lay there, his little eyelids tight closed and his mouth covered over with a mask, supporting him to breathe.
"Never give up hope," Julian's deep voice came from behind, his strong arm coming down on my shoulder.
"He's so small, Julian." I whimpered, fighting back the tears forming in my eyes.
Julian's lips touched my hair and he whispered in my ear, "He's our son. Our Raphael is a fighter. Our blood runs in his veins. He's here and that's all the matters."
"It kills me seeing all those tubes around him, Julian." I barely whispered to him, "I feel so helpless."
"I know," Julian replied, his breath, but a whisper. "He's in the best hands, Sophie."
We sat with him together, Julian on one side stroking his hair softly as I held his warm tiny foot in my hand. The next day
