Tears fell from Sheila’s eyes. She wiped them away. “Sorry, but this is what I do every year.”

Daniel nodded. Sheila took his hand and led him into the house. Her grip was firm. She wanted him here. “Jim, honey. Daniel’s staying for dinner.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll just go.”

“It’s fine, Daniel.” Jim’s soothing voice reached him as they approached the kitchen. “It’s a tough day—”

Jim was interrupted by a small squealing from the baby monitor that quickly turned into an outright cry.

Sheila sighed. “I just put him down.”

“I’ll go.” Daniel spoke before he thought, and he was moving up the stairs as if he was being pulled up them.

He approached Aaron’s room, which used to be Sara’s room, and went straight to the crib without turning on the light. He picked up the baby and held him close, resting Aaron’s head in that crevice between his neck and shoulder. The baby instantly curled up and calmed down. Daniel paced the small room until he felt Aaron fall asleep. He walked over to the crib to lay Aaron back down, but instead, he held on to the baby, finding comfort in his weight as he rocked in the chair. He shifted the baby into his arms and took in the sheer perfection that was a newborn child.

Aaron’s baby scent engulfed him and sent Daniel tumbling into the past. This time, the burn of tears that built up behind his eyes was welcome, and he let them fall, allowed them to give way to sobs as he grieved for this little baby’s big sister, as he grieved for his Sara.

After some time, it could have been five minutes, it could have been an hour, he felt Sheila’s hand on his shoulder.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” Sheila moved around so she could face him, kneeling down. In the light from the hallway, he could see fresh tears in her eyes.

“I’ve never seen you cry before.” She shook her head, her eyes filled with tenderness. “Must be Annika. She’s good for you.”

“That’s over,” Daniel croaked out.

To her credit, Sheila pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Daniel cleared his throat. “Did we keep her ER band?”

“Yes.” Sheila nodded. If she was surprised at the request, she did not show it. “I have it with a bunch of her things.” She stood and turned to the closet and pulled down a small box. She took off the lid so Daniel could see. A paper heart, a few awards, things she had done in school, and the ER band.

With great deliberation, he lifted his hand and reached in to pick it up, as if doing so might break him. He clasped the small band in his hand.

“Do you want it, Daniel?” Sheila’s voice was soft and kind.