Tears welled up in Nicholas’ eyes. Lily reached out and poked his cheek with her fist. He
pulled her close to him and held her tightly before she started to fuss.
There was a knock of the door. “Nicky?” his mom said. “Why is this door locked? Can
you come out here for a sec?”
Nicholas hugged Lily even closer and breathed in her baby smell.
His mom banged on the door again. “Nick? If you won’t come out here to talk, can you
at least set Lily free?”