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Olivia laughs against my neck. “No more secrets.”

“I love you both,” I murmur, meaning it with every fiber of my being. “Whatever comes next, we face it together.”

“Together.” They echo, and for a moment, everything else falls away—my job, their pasts, all the complications that await us outside these walls. Right now, we’re just three friends, bound by shared pain and unwavering support.

I leanagainst the bathroom door frame, watching Leo bounce and wiggle in front of the mirror while he brushes his teeth. Toothpaste foam drips down his chin as he belts out “Baby Shark” between brushstrokes, complete with exaggerated hip swings that make me bite back a laugh.

“Do do do do do do.” He sings, voice muffled by the toothbrush. His sandy blond hair is still damp from his bath.

“Two more minutes or no story,” I remind him, tapping my watch. “Get those back molars.”

He makes an exaggerated face at me in the mirror, puffing out his foam-covered cheeks like a deranged chipmunk. The sight is so ridiculous I can’t help but laugh.

“You’re such a goofball.” I grab a washcloth from the rack and wet it with warm water. “Come here, you’ve got toothpaste everywhere.”

He dances over, still humming around his toothbrush, and I wipe his chin clean. His blue eyes sparkle with mischief as he deliberately blows a toothpaste bubble at me.

“Hey!” I dodge the foam spray, giving his shoulder a gentle push. “Rinse and spit, you little monster.”

He giggles and turns back to the sink, making exaggerated spitting noises that send more foam flying. I roll my eyes, grateful we picked out light blue towels that won’t show toothpaste stains.

“All done,” he announces, showing me his teeth in an enormous grin. “See? Super clean.”

“Very impressive.” I ruffle his damp hair. “Now pajamas, then we can read one chapter before bed.”

“Two chapters?” He bats those long eyelashes at me, deploying the puppy dog eyes that work far too often.

“Nice try, buddy. One chapter, and only if you get moving now.”

He zooms past me toward his bedroom, nearly tripping over his own feet. “I want the dragon book!”

By the time I make it to his bedroom, Leo bounces onto his bed, his dragon-themed pajamas already on and his favorite book clutched to his chest. He dives under the covers and pats the space next to him eagerly.

“Come on, Aunt Evie! I was quick just like you asked.”

“That you were.” I smile at him, proud that he listened.

He lifts the book and waves it at me. “The dragon’s gonna fight the evil wizard tonight!”

I settle beside him, relaxing into the familiar warmth as he immediately snuggles into my side. His damp hair tickles my arm as he rests his head against me.

“The Dragon’s Last Stand.” I read the title, opening to our bookmarked page. “Chapter seven: The Wizard’s Tower.”

Leo gasps dramatically at each twist in the story, his small fingers gripping my arm during the tense moments. When the dragon breathes fire at the wizard’s magical shields, he makes whooshing sounds under his breath.

“Do the wizard voice again,” he pleads, looking up at me with those earnest blue eyes. “You do it the best.”

I clear my throat and adopt my most sinister cackle. “‘You’ll never defeat me, dragon. My dark magic is too powerful!’”

Leo giggles and burrows closer, pulling his stuffed dragon tight against his chest. His breathing starts to slow as the story continues, his blinks growing longer between each page turn.

By the time we reach the chapter’s end, his eyes are barely open. I close the book and set it on his nightstand, but when I move to get up, his arms wrap around my waist.

“Stay just a little longer?” he mumbles sleepily. “Please?”

I stroke his hair, a familiar ache in my chest. These quiet moments remind me so much of Rose—how she used to read to him every night, no matter how tired she was from the chemo. I hate that she’s missing out on this time with her son.

“Of course, buddy.” I press a kiss to the top of his head, breathing in that sweet little boy smell as he drifts off against me.