Page 62 of The Stars

“Mom and all three babies are doing great,” he said to cheers.

Then he showed them all the photos of Luna, Stella, and Orion. The babies were all snuggled in colored blankets with little hats on their tiny heads.

“When can I see them?” Amy asked her brother.

“Tomorrow. Liz has asked that we get rest for tonight,” Joe responded.

After Joe returned through the doors, everyone dispersed in silence.

While they were joyful about the new life, a shadow of impending danger loomed over them all. They had one month to convince Hope to return to Hidden Creek and to find Prometheus.

An hour later, Dante held her in his arms as they snuggled in his bed together. His hand gently traced circles on her shoulder blade.

“I called my sister today,” he said softly.

“And?”

“She’ll be here tomorrow. I told her Dad was having some health issues.”

She sat up and looked down at him. “You lied to your sister?”

He nodded with a grin. “To save the world? You bet.”

“What about Prometheus?” she asked, laying her head back on his chest.

“Let’s just hope that whoever he is, he is somewhere close by.” He sighed. “For now, at least, Hope is on her way.”

Oddly, it wasn’t as difficult to fall asleep as she’d expected. Not with the clock to the end of the world already ticking. When exhaustion finally took over, her dreams were filled with the faces of her two nieces and nephews. How they had been or would be ten years from now. Their laughter and smiling faces filled her visions.

Thankfully, for the first time in days, her dreams didn’t turn dark. She woke with Dante’s alarm and decided to head down to the hospital early to see her new family. She dressed and drove out of their driveway moments after he did.

After a quick stop for coffee and a short shopping spree, Amy arrived at the hospital carrying a bouquet of soft pink lilies for Liz and three small, carefully wrapped gifts in her arms. The hospital halls were brightly lit but quiet in the early morning.

Stepping into Liz’s room, she was greeted by the warm, sleepy smile of her brother standing beside Liz’s bed. Her sister-in-law was cradling one of the three newborns in her arms. Joe’s grin widened when he saw her.

“Morning,” Joe said softly, careful not to wake the babies.

Amy gave him a quick hug and then walked over to look down at the three tiny bundles.

“I can’t believe they’re here. Congratulations,” she whispered, placing the flowers on the small table by Liz’s bed. “They’re all so perfect.”

She sat down gently on the edge of the bed, her eyes immediately drawn to the three babies, each swaddled in pastel blankets.

“These are for them,” Amy said, handing the bag with the small packages inside to Liz, who carefully unwrapped them. Inside were delicate silver charms—one shaped like a crescent moon for Luna, a star for Stella, and a tiny constellation for Orion.

“They’re beautiful, Amy,” Liz said, her voice full of emotion. “Thank you.”

Amy smiled warmly, then glanced at Joe. “I couldn’t resist. They’ll be able to wear them when they’re older.” She remembered seeing them around each child’s neck.

Earlier, when she was making her way through town and had stopped to get Liz flowers, she stopped by chance at the antique store. When she spotted the charms, she knew instantly that she was the one who had given them to the children.

Liz chuckled lightly. “You don’t have to spoil them already.”

Amy shrugged playfully. “That’s what aunts are for.”

For nearly an hour, she visited, holding each baby in turn. Luna with her sleepy eyes, Orion who squirmed in her arms, and Stella, so calm and peaceful. The world outside faded away as they all savored this new chapter in their family’s life.

Eventually, Liz yawned, exhaustion settling in again from lack of sleep. Amy stood up, brushing a hand through Liz’s hair affectionately. “You rest, okay? You’ve earned it.”