Back at the station, the guys made jokes.
“Maybe she’s psychic.”
“Or maybe you’re a secret dad.”

I laughed. But it didn’t sit right.

Something about her… felt familiar. Like I was meant to be there.

The next day, I went to the hospital. Just to check on her—or so I told myself.

“You Came.”

A nurse led me in. The girl—Ava—was sitting up in bed, coloring quietly. When she saw me, her eyes lit up.

She whispered, “Liam…”

I smiled softly. “Hey there. Feeling better?”

She nodded. “You came.”

I chuckled. “Of course. I carried you out, remember?”

“No,” she said gently. “Mommy told me if I was ever really scared, to call for Liam. And he’d come.”

I felt my heart stop.