“Can you hear it?”

G.O’s hand gently brushed his sister’s tummy. His fingers were cold against the warm skin. Timidly, his ear lightly scratched the surface. He made sure the fake diamond piercing wouldn’t harm her. He pressed once his position allowed him to. He analyzed the gentle curves with his palms and caressed her stretch marks with his thumb. He tightly closed his mouth and forgot to breathe for a few seconds. He had to avoid as many sounds as he could.

“Can you hear? Is it beating?”

A small thump-thump broke the silence.

Another.

There were two hearts.