“Get out,” Ella says, voice sharp.
Beck laughs, hands raised. “Fine, fine. I’m leaving. Get better soon, bro.”
Zane gives me one last look. “Rest. We’ll handle everything else after you’re feeling better.”
“Thank you.”
Jace follows, quieter. “Welcome back, Ryder.”
One by one, they leave the room, and silence returns, but it isn’t lonely. Only it doesn’t last long. Footsteps approach again—lighter this time, hesitant at the edge, like whoever it is doesn’t know if they’re allowed to take up space.
I know who it is before I see her. The door opens slowly, and Kate steps in—barefoot, hair loose around her shoulders, exhaustion carved into the softness of her face. Her eyes are swollen like she’s been crying in private. Julian is bundled against her, wide awake, his dark gaze alert as if he already understands that this room matters.
She stops just inside the doorway, and for a moment, she doesn’t move, and neither do I. The air feels heavy with everything we haven’t said. Then Julian lets out a small sound—half babble, half complaint—and Kate’s expression cracks.
She crosses the room quickly, like she can’t stand the distance anymore. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah,” I nod, my voice rougher than I intend.
Her lips tremble. “You’ve been out for three days.”
“So I’m told.”
A wet laugh escapes her, broken immediately by tears spilling down her cheeks. She looks furious at herself for it, wiping them quickly like she can scrub the fear away.
“Are you okay?” I ask even though I can tell she’s not.
“I’m fine,” she lies, but I don’t call her on it.
She steps closer, and suddenly Julian is right there—close enough that I can see every detail, the curl of his lashes, the familiar seriousness in his eyes that shouldn’t exist in a baby.
My son.
She shifts him higher. “Do you want to hold him?”
I don’t hesitate as my arms lift slowly, limited by soreness, but my body knows what to do anyway. She leans forward, placing him against my chest. The moment his weight settles into me, something deep and locked inside my ribs gives way.
Julian stares up at me with unsettling focus, then he smiles—all wide and gummy happiness.
“Hey buddy,” I murmur, voice cracking around the edges.
His tiny hand lifts, fingers curling clumsily against my shirt. He’s warm, real, and all mine.
Kate’s breath shudders, and I turn to look at her.
“I was so scared,” she admits.
She’s standing there like she’s holding herself together with string—eyes shining, lips pressed tight to keep from falling apart again.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
I keep apologizing to everyone, but I know it’s because I had them all worried. I shift carefully, wincing as pain flares, but I reach for her anyway. My free hand catches her wrist, pulls her closer. “I’m here now, and I’m okay.”
Kate laughs through a sob. “Barely.”
“Still counts.”
Her eyes lift to mine—raw and furious. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
