Chloe froze, looking absolutely terrified. She glanced quickly at the front row, where her parents’ heads were beginning to turn at the commotion. “Ethan, no,” she hissed in a panic. “They’ll see.”
“I know,” Ethan said softly. I saw the absolute, terrifying determination locking his jaw. He looked at me, a silent plea for the backup I had promised him that morning.
I took a deep, shaky breath. If you bring her today, will you stay by me?
I nodded slowly at Chloe.
With violently shaking hands, Chloe reached under her cover and transferred the tiny, sleeping infant into Ethan’s waiting arms. He tucked Lily securely against his broad chest. Her small face was barely visible beneath the heavy, blue fabric of his graduation gown, wrapped tightly in her soft pink hospital blanket.
Ethan turned his back to us and stepped back into the center aisle. He began the long, agonizing walk toward the stage.
