Chapter 94: First Moments as Parents

I had run a billion-dollar company on four hours of sleep during crunch time. I thought I knew what exhaustion was.

I was wrong.

Day Two in the hospital was a different breed of tired. It was a bone-deep, foggy, delirious exhaustion that made the walls vibrate. I had slept maybe two hours total since we arrived at the hospital thirty-six hours ago, snatching minutes in the uncomfortable sleeper chair while Aria dozed.

"Noah?"

Aria’s voice came from the bed. She sounded groggy.

"I'm here," I said, standing up immediately. My knees cracked. "Do you need water? Pain meds? The nurse?"

"No," she whispered, rubbing her eyes. "Just... is she okay?"

I looked into the bassinet. Emma was awake. Her eyes—dark blue, unfocused—were scanning the room, trying to make sense of this bright, loud world. She wasn't crying. She was just... existing.

"She's awake," I said, awe washing over me again. It hit me every time I looked at her. She's here. She's ours. "She's looking around."

Aria smiled, a tired,