Page 122 of Halo

My brother’s voice pulls me from my sleep. I lift my head from the side of Rachel’s bed, momentarily confused by the dim room and the ache running from my neck into my shoulder.

They moved Rachel into a quiet, private room after her extended recovery in the PACU. She's still receiving blood and will more than likely get two more units over night, but her coloring has improved.

Nurses have been in and out all evening, checking monitors, pushing medications into her IV, and making sure she's comfortable. Whatever they gave her for the pain finally pulled her into a deep sleep.

I guess exhaustion must've caught up with me, too. I yawn, stretching my back as I push myself out of the chair.

My brother instantly hugs me, holding on so tightly I can feel him shaking. “Thank you,” he whispers into my hair. “Thank you for being here with her. With both of them.”

“Of course.” My throat closes as I squeeze him harder. “You don't ever have to thank me for that.”

He stays there another moment before finally letting me go, and I wipe beneath my eyes. “What time is it?”

“Little after midnight.”

I cover another yawn, looking at my phone.

Two missed calls from COWBOY.

“Wow, y'all made really excellent time.”

“God really put a hedge of protection around us. All of us.” He exhales heavily. “I dropped Mom off at the house because the roads are awful.”

“I'm sure she loved that.”

He chuckles. “She’s already texted me six times about freezer meals and a church meal train and that I need to post something on social media.”

“Priorities, Matthew.” I mimic my mother’s voice as we share a knowing look.

His gaze shifts to Rachel. “How is she?”

“Stable. She’s been sleeping for a while. Have you heard anything about the baby?”

“You mean my baby girl?” Matt's expression softens. “I briefly talked with the nurses. They say she’s doing okay. I decided to drop off my bags and change.”

“So you haven't seen her yet?”

He shakes his head. “I was about to. You ready to go meet her?”

“Me?” I stare at him. “Matt, this is the first time you’re meeting your daughter. I’m not barging in on that.”

“You're not barging in.”

“Yes, I am. Go meet your baby.”

“Lee.” His smile grows. “Seems like the perfect time for her to meet her namesake.”

Everything inside me stills.

“What?”

“We're still deciding on her first name,” he says, suddenly looking a little sheepish. “But her middle name was never really up for debate. We want it to be the same as yours. Grace.”

For once, absolutely nothing comes out of my mouth.

“I don't think you were supposed to tell me that yet.” I finally manage, pressing my fingers to my lips as fresh tears fill my eyes.

“Oh no, that was our deal. That I got to tell you first.” Matt wraps an arm around my shoulder. “So, Aunt Leah. You coming or what?”