Lila perched herself by the window, her small hands clutching her favorite teddy bear, Mr. Fluffles. The world outside was bathed in the golden hues of twilight, yet her thoughts were miles away, inside the hospital where her baby brother lay. "Please be okay, Oliver," she whispered, her eyes fixed on the driveway, waiting for her parents' car to appear.
Every evening was ritualistic. Lila's parents would come home with new stories about Oliver. Lila's mother held up a picture of her tiny brother, wrapped snugly in a soft blue blanket. "Today, Oliver grabbed the nurse's finger so tightly, she couldn't stop laughing," her mother said, her voice a mix of amusement and pride. Lila giggled, imagining her baby brother, who she hadn't yet met, with such strength.
Lila listened, but a part of her couldn't shake the fear that gripped her heart. "Will Oliver ever come home?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her father knelt beside her, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. "He will, sweetheart. He's a fighter," he assured her, his words wrapping around her like a warm blanket.
The days turned into weeks, and Lila found herself looking forward to the stories. Each tale her parents told painted a picture of a brave little warrior, her brother, battling his way to health. "Today, he smiled at the nurse!" her mother exclaimed one evening, her eyes sparkling with joy. Lila clapped her hands excitedly, feeling the warmth of hope fill her chest.
Finally, the day arrived that Lila had been dreaming of. The door opened, and there he was, her baby brother, Oliver, nestled in her mother's arms. Lila rushed to greet them, her heart racing with joy. Her father knelt and gently placed Oliver in her arms. "Meet your little brother," he said softly.
Lila gazed at Oliver, a tiny hand reaching up to touch her face. "Hello, Oliver," she said, her voice full of wonder. In that moment, surrounded by her family, Lila knew that everything would be alright. Their family was complete, and they were ready to face the world together.
