On this particular day, Liam sat beside Oliver’ bed, sharing one of those moments. Within the muted hues of the hospital room, Liam leaned closer to Oliver, sharing whispers of recent heart-to-hearts with his girlfriend Lisa. They had just moved in together and were discussing the next steps in their relationship. Lisa had always wanted to become a mother and felt ready to embark on the journey of raising children with Liam.
His heart swelled as he began unveiling this chapter of his life to Oliver. “You’ll be an uncle,” he murmured, a grin lighting up his face. But just as the words left his lips, a fleeting shadow across Oliver’s face stopped him cold. Was that… a twitch? An involuntary muscle spasm? It couldn’t be. For a decade, Oliver hadn’t so much as stirred. Liam blinked, grappling with disbelief, his heart racing as hope and doubt waged war within him.