24

***

“How is she?”

“Asleep” I’m a little stiff, my voice raspy from crying, my arm hurts from having to hold her up for so long, we're quiet for a moment.

“Are you okay?” he makes to come in but I shake my head, and my eyes drop to the floor.

“I’ll go put her in bed now.”

Without a word, he steps aside, holding the door open for me, I move slowly so I don’t jostle her, Ivan and Maria must have left at Niko’s return because the hall is empty, were quiet as we go up the stairs, Niko just a few paces behind me as we walk. Take her upstairs.

When I get to the nursery, the light comes on a low setting, Angel, bless his soul is sleeping away without a care in the world, arms and legs spread, I stop in front of the crib beside his, for a second, I worry about putting her down, she might wake up and continue crying from where she left off, but she’s been out for more than ten minutes now, Please God, let that be enough, I send a quick prayer before lowing slowly, my other hand coming up