The hospital was quiet.

Emily sat by the bed, holding the baby who had fallen asleep after playing. The little girl was curled up next to her mother, also sound asleep.

“My son is very naughty. He cries whenever someone else holds him, but you managed to calm the little devil to sleep,” the young mother said, lying peacefully on the bed with an IV drip slowly feeding cool fluids into her veins.

With both children asleep, Emily spoke softly, “Maybe it’s because I like kids.”

“You ...