He crouched down in front of her and smoothed her hair back from her face. The smile he gave her—I—God, he should smile more often. It changed something in Lilith the minute he did. “Don’t apologize. That’s why I’m here.”
Clenched and tense until that point, Lilith released a breath and took in another deep one behind it, the strain bracketing her mouth softening.
“Something’s not right, Cain. The pain—it’s too early. If he’s born now, his lungs—”
“Shhh, one thing at a time.” He cupped her head and kept her focused on him. “Hospital first. We don’t worry until there’s something to worry about.” Taking her hand, he got her to her feet and guided her just outside the bathroom before scooping her up and tucking her against his chest.
Her arms went around his neck and her head landed on his shoulder, the tears falling freely now. “I’m scared.”
“I know you are, but I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.”
But the words weren’t really true, were they? Because he’d leave.
I held the door and followed him outside to open the passenger door of the truck.
“Thanks,” he said, sliding his sister onto the front seat, buckling her in, and closing the door. “Keep going. I’ll let you know what’s happening as soon as I know.”
“I’m sending them home. You don’t need to be worrying about us up here.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Take care of Lilith. I’ve got this.”
“Thank you,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I closed my eyes, tried not to read too much into it, and took a step back. “No kissing rule. Now go.”