My husband had never shown me his baby pictures.
"Mom," my husband said quietly.
She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. Then she crossed the room slowly, her gift bag forgotten on the floor. She leaned over me, looked once at Lily's sleeping face, and her hand flew up to cover her mouth.
Ethan wiped his cheeks with the back of his wrist.
"Mom. She has it."
Sadie's eyes filled. She nodded as if someone were confirming a truth she'd known for decades.
She leaned over me.
I looked between them, holding Lily tighter against my chest.
"Has what? Can someone tell me what's happening right now?"
Ethan moved to the edge of the bed. His hand was shaking when he reached out.
"Can I show you? I promise I'm not going to hurt her."
I let him tilt Lily's tiny head to the side.
I looked between them.
My husband brushed her dark wisp of hair back, exposing the soft skin behind her ear.
There, no bigger than a fingernail, was a pale, triangular birthmark. I hadn't even noticed it.
"That's a birthmark, Ethan," I whispered. "Babies have birthmarks. Why are you both looking at her like she's a ghost?"
He sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.
"Because I had one too. Right there, in the same spot. Mom has a picture of it. It faded before I turned five."
I hadn't even noticed it.
My MIL pulled a chair closer and surprised me by taking my free hand.
"Sweetheart, that mark runs in the family. Just not in Levi's family."
I stared at her.
"What are you talking about?"
Ethan drew in a long, shaky breath. His whole face looked even older than it had ten minutes ago.
