As Barbara cradled Calleum closer, her breaths came shallow and uneven. The soothing scent of her baby's milky skin grounded her, but the storm of emotions inside her refused to settle. Jarlon, walking beside her, noticed her trembling hands clutching the baby tighter than usual.
"Hey," Jarlon said softly, casting her a side glance. "I can hear you overthinking from here. Relax, Barb. You've got me, remember? And this little guy? He's got you covered, too. We're a team."
Barbara glanced up at him, offering a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks, Jarlon. I just... I don't know what to expect."
"Expect the unexpected," Jarlon quipped lightly, though his jaw tightened. The effort to keep the mood light was for her sake, but the weight of the situation wasn't lost on him.
Togethe
