The receptionist’s chair rolled backward as she stood.

A second nurse opened the treatment doors while another crouched beside the wheelbarrow, careful not to frighten the girl.

“Can I pick up the babies?”

The small fingers tightened around the handles.

“Both?”

“Both,” the nurse said.

“We’ll help both of them.”

“Together?”

“We’ll keep them close whenever their care allows.

You won’t have to carry them anymore.”

Only then did the girl let go.

The nurse lifted one baby while her colleague took the other.

The staff could see that both were breathing and that they needed urgent assessment.

Warm blankets arrived.