“That’s my baby.” Shaking, he smoothed her hair off her face. “You keep that heart beating, ya hear?”

Trembling violently, she looked up at Hughie and nodded. “I love you, Hugh Biggs.”

He opened his mouth to respond only to hear it crack when he whispered the words, “I know you do.”

Sniffling, he pulled her in close and pressed a kiss to her cracked lips.

“I love you more, {{user}}.”