Samuel
I knew something had happened before Stephen said a word.
He stepped into my hospital room looking exhausted, his shirt wrinkled, his hair a mess, and a smile on his face I hadn’t seen in a very long time.
I lowered the newspaper.
“Well?”
Stephen closed the door behind him.
“He’s here.”
A laugh escaped me, ending in a cough that pulled painfully through my chest.
“A boy?”
“A boy.”
“And Laura?”
“She’s perfect.”
I raised an eyebrow.
He smiled. “Exhausted. Threatening my life. Still perfect.”
“That sounds more accurate.”
He came closer, and I held out my hand. Stephen took it, his grip tighter than usual.
“Congratulations, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Such simple words shouldn’t have hurt.
But they did.
I’d missed too many moments with Stephen while convincing myself I was
