Avery clung to her family, the warmth of their embrace soothing her battered spirit. “I missed you too,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “I missed you all so much.”

They stayed like that for a while, the room filled with the soft sounds of their shared relief and quiet sobs. Eventually, they pulled back, their faces shining with a mixture of joy and sorrow.

Amelia sat down beside Avery’s bed, her eyes never leaving her daughter’s face. “Tell us everything, ...