Garrett’s status as my husband did not require me to admit him to my bedside against my wishes.

Questions about parentage and the babies’ care still had to follow the appropriate records and procedures.

I did not ask anyone to erase him from a file.

I asked them not to let him enter my room or remove a child merely because he demanded it.

The nurse wrote down what I said and explained whom to contact if anything changed.

Later, I woke from a short sleep and reached toward the bassinet nearest me before remembering the other one.