Sophie leaned on my shoulder. “Mom? Can we do more? Like… more memories?”
I looked at their faces, at the mess, at the love. “Yes.”
Emily nodded. “We make a list.” Hannah lifted her phone. “I’ll start one.”
Nora said, “Rule one. Dad gets veto power.” Paige added, “Rule two. We don’t waste good days.” Lily whispered, “Rule three. We tell the truth.”
And for the first time since Dr. Patel spoke those words, I felt something solid under my feet. Not hope. Not denial. A plan.
