THE LIFE ETHAN COLE NEVER EXPECTED
Chapter 12
A year after the wedding, Ethan’s life changed again.
It began with a hospital room.
A long night.
Rain against the windows.
June exhausted.
Ethan pacing.
Lily sitting quietly in the corner.
Then, just before sunrise, a small cry filled the room.
Ethan stopped.
He looked toward June.
She was holding the baby.
Her eyes were tired.
But she was smiling.
Ethan walked closer.
He stared at the tiny face.
So small.
So fragile.
He reached out.
June carefully placed the baby into his arms.
Ethan held his son.
For several seconds, he couldn’t speak.
Lily approached.
“Is that my brother?”
Ethan smiled.
“Yeah.”
She looked at the baby.
“What’s his name?”
June looked at Ethan.
They had chosen it together.
“Alex.”
Lily smiled.
“Hi, Alex.”
The baby moved his tiny hand.
Lily touched it.
Ethan looked at his family.
His wife.
His daughter.
His son.
He felt something deep inside him shift.
He had once believed that his life was defined by the places he had left behind.
Now he understood.
His life was defined by the people standing beside him.
