I met her eyes, the weight of the truth settling in my chest. “More than I thought possible,” I admitted. “Rose… she’s been through so much, but she’s still standing. Still fighting. And Aurora… she’s changed everything.”
Elliot shifted against the wall, his dark brown eyes meeting mine with a knowing look. “You’ve found your reason,” he said simply.
I nodded. “Yeah. I have.”
Emma’s face lit up again, the moment of quiet reflection giving way to her usual excitement. “I can’t wait to meet her! And Aurora too. Oh, Ethan, I’m going to spoil that baby rotten. Just you watch.”
I laughed, the sound genuine and light. “Something tells me you will.”
As the night wore on, the weight of the day began to settle on me. Emma eventually curled up on the couch, her energy finally dimming, while Ell
