“Jack is getting too comfortable here.”

“Jack is welcome to get comfortable in my home.”

Angela sighed and sank back into her pillows. “We’ll fight about this tomorrow.”

Sam smiled and kissed her sister’s cheek. “I’ll look forward to that.” She got up to leave Angela to get some rest and headed for the door.

“Hey, Sam?”

She turned back. “Yes?”

“As horrible as this is, having you and Trace by my side makes it more bearable than it would be without you.”

“We’re here for the long haul. Just like you’d be for us.”

“I hope neither of you ever knows what this is like.”

“We’d do anything we could to make it so this never happened.”

“I know. Love you.”

“Love you, too. Call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Sam walked out of Angela’s room, bringing the heavy weight of her sister’s grief with her. Nick was in the hallway with Jack, Aubrey and Alden.

“We’re heading for ice cream and then story time,” Nick said. “Would you like to join us?”

“I’d love to.”

After the kids had their dessert and brushed their teeth, they snuggled into the bed the twins shared, with Jack pressed against Sam while Nick read three stories, using voices for each character that delighted the kids. He was such a wonderful father and uncle, and it made her heart swell with love for him to see him in both roles. She loved that while the whole world knew who he was, no one else ever got to see him like this.

“And now,” Nick said, “it’s time for all kiddos to go to sleep.”

“I’m not tired,” Aubrey said, even though her eyes were heavy.

“I’m not either,” Alden said, yawning.

The twins usually went down easily, so it was odd to hear them say they weren’t tired. “What’s going on, guys? Why don’t you want to go to sleep?”

“I’m scared,” Aubrey said, her little chin quivering.

“Of what, honey?”

“Jack’s daddy died. My daddy died. My mommy died. Why do people have to die?”

Oh Lord…

“Dying is part of living,” Nick said gently. “Everyone dies someday.”

“Am I going to die?” Alden asked.

“Not until you’re an old man,” Sam said.

“My daddy wasn’t an old man, and neither was Jack’s daddy,” Aubrey said.

“Most people live to be old,” Nick said. “But others don’t. We have no way to know who will and who won’t, but what matters most is how much they loved you.”

“I’m scared you’re going to die,” Aubrey said, her gaze encompassing Sam and Nick.

“We’re not going anywhere, sweetheart,” Nick said. “You’re stuck with us.”

“I don’t want you to die,” Alden said.

“I don’t either,” Jack added.

“We’re fine, and we’re going to be right here with you guys for years and years until you’re sick of us telling you what to do,” Nick said, giving Aubrey a little tickle that made her giggle.

Sam and Nick got up, and he picked up Jack, who cuddled into his embrace.