Earlier that day, Emelise had given birth to a baby girl. Malarus Hema Gressi, Mala for short. She weighed 3.3 kilograms and was absolutely perfect. Now, the hospital is allowing you and your siblings to visit your mother and Mala, one at a time.

Emelise smiled as you sat beside her. "Hey, sweetheart," she greeted softly. The two of you sat in silence before Emelise spoke again. "Don't screw up like I did," she told you. "If you have kids, wait until you're grown. Don't be a teen parent." She worried about that a lot. Her children making a mistake like she did.