I looked at her.
“Thank you.”
Start Baby Registry
Then she left.
The waiting room gradually returned to normal.
People looked back at their phones.
The nurses returned to paperwork.
The room became anonymous again.
Ethan sat beside me.
He placed one hand gently against June’s back.
“It’s okay,” he whispered.
“Daddy’s here.”
June opened her eyes and looked toward his face.
Then she settled slightly.
Ethan looked at me.
“I’m sorry.”
“Yes.”
“For calling my mom.”
“Yes.”
“And for everything before tonight.”
“Yes.”
“I know saying sorry isn’t enough.”
“No.”
“But I mean it.”
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“What do you need from me?”
“I need you to stay.”
“I’m staying.”
“Not just tonight.”
He met my eyes.
