Lyle

I sent the word down myself. All clear. Come up. It’s over.

Kieran came out of the doors first at a dead sprint. He saw his mother, launched off the top step, and Dayanara caught him out of the air and went down on both knees in the yard dirt to hold him. She shut her eyes and didn’t let go for a long time. My chest finally loosened, watching them.

Ember came galloping out next and went straight for Gunnar, who put the little one up on his shoulder. Somewhere above us Ciera laughed, ...