clasped tightly together as if holding herself together. The

s remained closed. No ne

rried fo

ad just as Mia burst

ith worry as she rushed over, imme

ment she saw her best friend's

er cheeks. "Mia... I

. "I'm here, okay? Wha

.. they haven't come out yet."

clenched.

lancing at her phone. No

n't call

er eyes. But before she could say anythin

d out, his expre

pping Mia's hand for support.

d. That hesitation m

voice was gentle, but the words shattered

s breath

room

g around h

word barely l

her tightened

was too high for too long. His

Mia hadn't been holding he

real. This co

him. He was warm

sob ripped fr

mbrace, whispering, "I'm so so

hing rea

ld had j

s body w

hoed in her head, but

verything

N

wasn't

. He had just been in her arms, warm a

gain, and this time,

shl

g at Mia's arms. She struggled against her g

d to se

d around her tight

ey screamed, fighting w

n as she pushed forward, her

epped forward.

apped, her voice breaking. "Whe

ly, tears blinding her as

y, listen to me," she whispered, voice shaking

ey wasn't

er baby against her chest, the way his tiny ha

ld him. To feel h

bed, her entire body

face drawn with sorrow.

arms lo

ward, her heart slamm

eded her. He

led her do

elt heavier t

d, the only sound her own he

the

or pushed

steppe

ntire worl

e hospital bed, his small bod

move

br

thi

y as she rushed to him, fallin

d, shaking his tiny shoulders. "Mommy's

e, her tears fallin

o c

was alwa

tween hers, trying to bring back the warmth

e was no

ds clutching

ries reachi

y si

lence that crushed

the room behind her, but

ent down, pressing her fo

she whispered. "I

er body wracked with pain tha

't suppose

pposed to p

he had

... he w

crushing scream, grie

ey crumble before her. She wanted to be strong, to pull

nife to the heart. She clung to her baby, rocking h

t leave you..." Her voice was barely above

, pressing a fist against her mouth to stifle

ding near the door with sympat

out, tightening her grip around her ch

ed with a desperation Mi

ard the doctor, but Ashley wasn't

d, her voice barely

olently. "I just need a little mor

. "You're still warm," she whispered. "Maybe if I hold you long enough

stay like this. "Ashley..." She crouched

baby's blanket. "I should have tried harder, Mia. I should have done

. "You did everything you could. Do you hear me? You fought for

eyes distant, lost. "T

words strong enough to

. "Mrs. Carter, we understand your grief,

ntire body

whispered

ed shaking again, her entire world

go," Ashley so

them crying into each other's s

like an eternity, Ashley

her arms, and the second the war

empti

emptiness that told her nothi