Morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and golden, painting Daniel's sleeping face in gentle shadows. Lily lay still beside him, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, marveling at how normal this felt after yesterday's chaos.
His arm was draped across her waist, fingers splayed against her bare skin. She could feel his breath against her shoulder, warm and familiar. For a moment, she let herself believe that everything was simple again.
Then her phone rang.
Daniel stirred as she reached for it, his arm tightening around her reflexively.
"Don't answer it," he mumbled into her neck.
But she'd already seen the caller ID. "It's the hospital."
That woke him up completely.
"Miss Martinez?" The voice was crisp, professional. "This is Dr. Chen. Your father is asking for you. He's... he's had a good night, but we think you should come in this morning."
The careful phrasing made her stomach drop. "How long do I have?"
