CRYSTAL.
I felt like I was running on fumes. Nothing left in my body but nerves and dread and the thin thread of hope holding me together. But the moment I stepped into Jason's private ward and saw him awake, giggling at something Noah was whispering dramatically beside his bed, every ounce of exhaustion evaporated.
"Honey…" I breathed, rushing to him. "You're out."
He beamed and lifted his little arms for me. I leaned down and kissed him all over his face — his cheeks, his forehead, the warm little spot by his ear that always made him laugh.
And he did laugh — that small, soft laugh of his that always saved me.
"You scared me," I whispered against his hair, blinking back the tears burning my eyes. "But you did so well. Mommy's so proud of you."
He puffed up his chest a little,
