Leo had no idea how long he sat beside Ivy, gently patting her arm.
At some point, exhaustion finally claimed him.
Curled up against her side, still holding her hand, the little boy drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Not long afterward, the door to the ICU room quietly opened.
Xander walked in.
He was still wearing the same suit from earlier that day.
Dark stains of Ivy's dried blood remained on the front of his jacket, yet he hadn't bothered to change.
His eyes immediately fell on the hospital bed.
For a long moment, he simply stood there.
His gaze lingered on Leo, who was sleeping soundly beside Ivy, his tiny hand still wrapped around hers as though he was afraid she would disappear if he let go.
A faint ache settled in Xander's chest.
Edward, who had followed him into the room, quietly sighed.
"I'll take Leo with me," he said softly.
There were countless questions Edward wanted to ask his grandson.
Where had he gone after leaving the hospital?
