“Yes, absolutely,” I told them immediately, reaching across the table to squeeze their hands.

“Whatever you need, I will do it for you.”

Having my own child made me understand the deep love they were desperate to give, and I wanted nothing more than to make their dream come true.

During the pregnancy, they came to every single appointment at the clinic in Phoenix.

“Does it hurt when they draw blood?” Lucas asked during an early checkup, taking my hand tightly because he knew I hated needles.

“Just look at me, okay?”

“I am fine,” I laughed softly, leaning back against the examination chair.

“You are more nervous than I am.”

Hannah brought a little notebook to every visit, writing down every word the doctor said and organizing all the ultrasound photos.

At the gender reveal party, she rested her palm flat on my belly and closed her eyes in silent gratitude.

“Thank you so much, Nora,” Hannah whispered to me with tears in her eyes.

“You are giving us our entire world.”

“Please stop before you make me ruin my mascara,” I replied with a warm smile, hugging her tightly.

A few weeks before the due date, they had me over for dinner and walked me down the hallway to show me the finished nursery.