The morning light slanted through the hospital blinds as Erin Walker sat beside Leon's bedside in the transplant unit's private room. He lay motionless, ventilator tubes and monitoring wires surrounding him like a cage. The sonogram blanket she'd made for Luna lay folded on the chair, untouched.
Erin's fingers traced the still curve of Leon's cheek. His skin was pale, lips cracked from the breathing tube. The doctors had warned her: “He's stable… but fragile." Erin felt her chest tighten at every beep of the heart monitor.
Beside her, the door opened, and Dr. Chen slipped inside, her white coat rustling softly.
“How are you holding up?" Dr. Chen asked, setting her clipboard aside.
Erin swallowed. “I'm… scared." She closed her eyes. “Is there any news?"
Dr. Chen placed a gentle hand on
