The moment they crossed the threshold, the house immediately erupted into a joyful noise as the chatter of her siblings filled every corner at the sight of the infant.
“Oh my gosh, he’s so tiny!” Coleen squealed, hovering at their mother’s side as she craned her neck to peek at the infant.
“Let me see, ma, let me see!” Cristin bounced on her toes, nearly knocking over a chair as she tried to get closer.
“Careful, Cristin,” Trina scolded gently, though she too leaned in, her eyes softening. “Look at those little fingers… so perfect.”
Their mother chuckled, carefully adjusting the baby in her arms as though she’d been waiting her whole life to cradle him. “He’s beautiful,” she murmured with awe, rocking him lightly as if he belonged there, as if he was already theirs.
The boys weren’t a
