Allison's POV
I held Lily's small hand as we walked through Starlight General Hospital's pristine corridors. Her little fingers clutched my palm with surprising strength for someone so frail.
"Mommy, do I have to get more blood taken?" Lily asked, her deep gray-blue eyes—so like her father's—looking up at me with a mixture of bravery and apprehension.
I knelt down to her level, brushing a strand of dark hair from her forehead. "Yes, sweetheart. Dr. Swift needs to make sure everything is perfect before your operation."
"Will it hurt?" Her voice was small but steady.
"Just a little pinch," I promised, trying to keep my own anxiety from seeping into my voice. "And guess what? I brought Mr. Snuffles." I pulled the worn stuffed wolf from my bag—Lily's faithful companion through
