That night, I sat in the hospital chair watching Grandfather Lorenzo sleep peacefully. His breathing was steady now, no longer the shallow gasps from a week ago. He looked younger somehow, like having family around had given him new life.

I pulled out my phone and stared at photos of Kai and Solana. Two little faces that looked up at me with complete trust and love. They deserved stability. They deserved a real family.

"Grandfather," I whispered, even though he was sleeping. "I've made my ...