The tension broke the moment the door opened.
"Mama, look!" Claire lit up, eyes landing on the two familiar faces behind Georgia. "Freya! Jonah!"
Before anyone could react, she ran straight to them—arms wide, laughter bubbling up as the three kids collided in a joyful hug.
Georgia stepped in a few seconds later, smiling as she watched the reunion. She met Cassidy's eyes and gave her a brief, tired smile.
"Hey," she said softly.
Cass stood and hugged her. "Hey."
Then Georgia turned to her brothers. "Sandro. Raymond."
"Georgia," Raymond said with a nod.
Sandro gave her a faint smile. "You're just in time."
She glanced at their mother lying still on the hospital bed, then back to them. "Sorry, traffic was a mess."
Raymond waved it off. "You're here now."
For a few seconds, they all just stood there—four grown siblings in one room again, something that hadn't happened in years. The sound of the children laughing in the corner felt like something sacred. Something rare.
