When 3 turns into 4

Finding Normal

One week later

The house still smelled faintly of lilies. A vase of them sat in the kitchen window — a quiet nod to Isla that no one moved or dared throw out.

Bella was still in the NICU, stronger every day but not yet ready to come home. Elenora counted down feeds and weight gains instead of days.

But today wasn't about Bella. Or Isla.

Today was about them.

Lucia sat on the kitchen bench swinging her legs, half-dressed for school, hair only brushed on one side. Eli sat on the floor by Ric's feet, clutching his backpack straps like a shield.

"C'mon, bug. Arms up."
Elenora gently tugged Lucia's shirt over her head while Ric knelt to tie Eli's shoes.

"Do I have to go?" Lucia mumbled, her bottom lip out. "What if Bella misses me?"

"She'll hear all about your day when you get back," Elenora promised, smoothing her curls down and kissing her forehead. "She needs you to tell her stories. Okay?"

Lucia didn't look convinced. But she nodded.

⸻

In the car

Eli pressed his face to the window, watching the trees blur by. Lucia hummed softly beside him, hugging her lunchbox.

"You can tell your teacher if you feel sad," Elenora said softly from the front. "Or they'll call Daddy or me and we'll come."

Eli's voice was so quiet she almost missed it.

"Will they ask where Isla is?"

Ric glanced at Elenora. She swallowed hard.

"If they do, you can tell them she's a star now," she said gently. "One that watches over Bella and you."

Lucia perked up suddenly. "We should draw her tonight. And stick her on my ceiling!"

Eli nodded, a small smile cracking through. "Okay."

⸻

At the school gates

Lucia bolted straight for her friends — a burst of glittery hair and pink sneakers and tiny brave laughter.

Eli lingered, one hand still curled around Elenora's sleeve.

"You got this, champ," Ric whispered, ruffling his hair.

"Promise you'll come if I need you?"

"Always."

Eli let go and joined the line of kids.

And just like that — the world pulled him back in.

⸻

Back in the car

The quiet was heavier than before.

Ric rested his hand on Elenora's thigh as she stared at the empty booster seats behind them.

"You okay?"

She shook her head. "No."

He squeezed gently. "Me either."

But when they pulled into the hospital car park twenty minutes later, ready to sit by Bella's side again, Elenora exhaled.

"They went to school, Ric. Even with broken hearts. They're so brave."

He kissed her knuckles. "They get that from you."

Bella's incubator hummed gently, a soft glow wrapping her tiny body in warmth. She wore a preemie-sized hat Lucia had picked out, pale pink with tiny stars.