The social worker explained that hospital financial counselors could help the family understand coverage, benefits, payment plans, and community resources.

None of those conversations could be resolved with a single reassuring sentence, but neither did they require deciding that Hope’s life was too expensive to welcome.

“I should have asked this before I panicked,” Lucas admitted quietly.

The doctor didn’t comment on his absence from the delivery room.

“Questions are welcome now,” she said.

Afterward we visited Hope.

She slept through nearly all of it, her fists closed beside her cheeks.

Hannah washed her hands carefully and sat near the bassinet.