At the time, everything in his life had blurred together.
“You’ve worked with children before?” he asked.
Emily nodded.
“Yes, sir. My younger brothers, mostly. My mom worked two jobs when we were growing up, so I helped raise them.”
Her tone was simple, not dramatic.
Just a fact of life.
The baby grabbed Ethan’s finger tighter, refusing to let go.
Emily smiled slightly at the sight.
“He likes you,” she said.
Ethan almost laughed.
“That would make one of us,” he replied quietly.
Emily glanced at him with mild confusion.
“You’re his father,” she said softly. “He already trusts you.”
Ethan didn’t answer right away.
Trust.
It was a word he rarely thought about.
In business, trust was something people claimed but rarely meant.
Yet the baby’s tiny hand held onto him without question.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Across the room, the other twin stirred in the cradle.
A faint cry followed.
Emily turned immediately.
“Excuse me.”
She washed her hands quickly, lifted the sleeping baby gently, and held him against her shoulder while rocking slowly.
The crying stopped almost instantly.
She hummed softly—some quiet melody Ethan didn’t recognize.
Watching her, Ethan felt something unfamiliar again.
Peace.