Near the crib, Karina and Maggie were softly admiring the newborns. Rosalynn, propped up on the hospital bed, looked radiant with a postnatal glow.

Sanford looked different. He was no longer confined to a wheelchair; he sat beside the others.

Thanks to ongoing treatment, Sanford was now able to stand, though his steps remained slow and unsteady.

Full recovery would take time, but the simple act of standing on his own brought a deep sense of relief and hope.

In that moment, he was just as spirited as Brian.

Both Brian and Barlow were in high spirits— Brian, glowing with pride over his newborn twins, and Barlow, grinning in anticipation of his upcoming wedding.

"Rosalynn, Karina, Maggie," Tilda greeted them warmly as she stepped inside, then turned to say hello to the men.

"Hello, Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Hughes." Reggie followed suit, nodding respectfully.

Rosalynn's eyes lit up as she smiled and propped herself up to welcome the visitors. "Tilda, Mr. Potter. Thank you for coming."

Karina and Maggie hurried over to support Rosalynn as she shifted to sit up more comfortably, one adjusting her pillow and the other fluffing the blanket.

Brian stood to shake Reggie's hand, then introduced him to Barlow and Sanford.

Reggie exchanged a few words with the men before taking a seat.

"How funny that Tilda and I ran into each other while visiting the same friend," Reggie said, glancing at Tilda as she moved to Rosalyn's side. "Wow, what a small world," Brian commented. "Tilda, did you come alone?" Rosalynn asked gently.

Her once delicate face had filled out slightly, and her eyes glowed with the softness of new motherhood.

She glanced toward the door, noticing the absence of both Lyndon and Sheldon.

Tilda offered a faint smile. "Lyndon's busy, and Sheldon just stepped out to use the restroom."

Lyndon was busy? Too busy to visit a close friend and her newborn twins with his wife?

That didn't quite add up.

Still, Rosalynn said nothing, though her eyes lingered on Tilda for a moment longer.

Tilda, sensing the pause, quickly redirected the conversation. "Let me see the babies."

She walked toward the crib, where the newborn twins lay in peaceful slumber. Their cheeks were full and pink, their tiny fists curled beside them like little dumplings.

Unlike most newborns, who tended to look more squishy than sweet, these two already had soft, delicate features—clearly inheriting the best from both parents.

Tilda gazed at the two tiny infants, her thoughts slipping back to Sheldon's newborn days.

He had been just as small and adorable at the time.