I know his name, but that's all. He didn't leave us anything else. But, baby, none of this is your fault. You're good. You're pure. You're mine. And I love you more than anything I've ever had in this world.
There's something else, sweetheart. I'm sick. The doctors say I don't have much time left.
I'm recording this now because I want you to know the truth someday, when you're old enough to understand. I'm hiding it in your bunny because I know you'll keep him safe."
"The doctors say I don't have much time left."
I couldn't stop crying as Nora's final words reached across time to comfort her son.
"If Uncle Ollie is loving you now, it means you're exactly where you're meant to be. Trust him, baby. Let him love you. He's family. He'll never leave you. I'm so sorry I won't be there to watch you grow up. But please know you were wanted and loved. You always will be."
The screen went black.
"I'm so sorry I won't be there to watch you grow up."
I sat there frozen, tears streaming down my face. Nora was dying. She'd known her time was running out even before the accident took her. And she'd carried that burden alone, just like she'd carried so many others.
"Ollie," Amelia said softly, wiping her eyes. "If Leo has this hidden, he must be terrified of what it means. We need to talk to him before he wakes up thinking we'll love him less."
We found Leo curled up in his bed. When he saw us standing in the doorway, his eyes went straight to the bunny in Amelia's hands. His face drained of all color.
"No," he whispered, sitting up fast. "Please, no. Don't…"
