The clock was creeping toward noon. A cold, pale winter light poured into the hospital room. Outside, the sky stayed stubbornly gray. The IV dripped slowly on its metal stand; a thin blanket covered Celina’s body; machines beeped at steady intervals. Thor was there, watchful, hollow-eyed, his body running on no sleep. He hadn’t closed his eyes once all night.

Every time a nurse came in he straightened, alert, demanding to know each procedure, every detail.

“Is she okay? And the baby?”

He asked