Claire bent over him, whispering his name through tears. “He knows me,” she said softly. Her trembling hand stroked the top of his head. “He’s been listening for that heartbeat all along.” Milo licked her wrist once, then turned and walked straight back to Lily’s side.
For a few quiet minutes, the room seemed to breathe as one. Claire smiled at the girl on the bed, at the life that had somehow entwined with her son’s through this loyal creature. The air was thick with understanding, though no one dared speak it aloud.