Slowly was a word I had spent my old life refusing to hear.

Now it sounded like hope.

Clara came running back and grabbed one of our hands in each of hers.

“Come see!”

We walked together to the swings.

Hannah pushed gently while I stood ready to help when Clara asked.

Neither of us tried to take the other’s place.

That evening, after they went home, I sat on the floor of my apartment and opened the notebook I had begun when I first saw the ultrasound.