Gabriel and Celina talked for a few minutes. He asked if she had slept well, how she was feeling. Celina felt safe with him, even from a distance. There was something grounding about Gabriel, as if he were an anchor in the middle of her storm.

After the call, Celina took another shower. That morning, she had a prenatal appointment. She chose a loose dress patterned with tiny daisies. The light fabric swayed with her every step like a soft dance. She pinned her hair up in a bun and left.

At the