The next day, Ryley was finally cleared to leave the hospital.
Clyde should have felt nothing but relief. And he did—at least on the surface.
He watched Ryley smile down at their newborn, eyes bright, hands careful and loving, as if the rest of the world had faded away.
The sight filled Clyde with warmth, enough that he almost believed it could cover everything else.
Almost.
He told himself Ryley wouldn't notice how quiet he had become, how his words came slower, how his eyes kept slipping away whenever their gazes nearly met. Ryley was too absorbed in the baby, too happy.
But he noticed. Of course he did.
"Clyde…"
The soft call stopped him mid-motion, his hands still hovering over the baby carrier. He turned just in time for Ryley to reach out and take his hand, grounding him with the familiar warmth.
