“She needs a minute, sir. We’ll come get you soon,” the nurse said, blocking my path.
I paced the hallway, replaying every worst-case scenario. My palms were slick with sweat. All I could do was count the cracks in the tiles and pray.
When another nurse finally waved me in, my heart was thudding loudly.
“She needs a minute, sir.”
Anna was there, hospital lights harsh above her, clutching two tiny bundles hidden behind their blankets. Her whole body was shaking.
“Anna?” I rushed over. “Are you okay? Is it the pain? Must I call someone?”
She didn’t look up; she just squeezed the babies closer to her.
“Don’t look at our babies, Henry!” Her voice broke on the words, and then she was sobbing so hard I thought she might fall apart.
“Anna, talk to me. Please. You’re scaring me. What happened?”
She shook her head, rocking the babies like she could shield them from the world. “I can’t… I don’t know — I just don’t —”
