"Forgive Mama for not being with you, baby," Amelie whispered, pulling Noah tightly against her chest. Her heart ached at the sight of him; his small eyes were puffy and red, and his cheeks were flushed from hours of distress. She showered him with gentle kisses, trying to soothe the tremors still racking his tiny body.
"Noah never cried so much before," Gabriel said, a rare look of exhaustion crossing his face as he ran his fingers through his hair. He looked like he had been through a battle of a different kind.
Amelie rocked Noah, her hand rhythmically patting his back. "Staying with Flora was important, Gabriel. I truly thought he would be okay with you."
