The Promise

The room held its breath.

Jax looked at Liam's photograph.

Then he looked directly into Emma's tear-filled eyes.

"He said one thing," Jax whispered.

Emma's fingers tightened around the picture frame.

Jax swallowed hard.

"He said, 'If something goes wrong, don't let Emma be alone.'"

The words seemed to break something inside her.

A sob escaped her lips.

Jax reached into his vest and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"It came through military communications before they lost contact with his unit."

His hand trembled as he unfolded it.

The note was short.

Written in Liam's unmistakable handwriting.

If our son decides to arrive early, tell Emma she's stronger than she thinks. Tell her I already trust her with both our lives. Tell her to come back home to me.

Emma pressed the note against her chest.

The fetal monitor sounded again.

Sharper this time.

More urgent.

The obstetrician stepped forward.

"Emma, we don't have much time."

Tears streamed down her face.

She looked around the room.

At the nurses.

At the doctors.

At the men Liam called brothers.

Then she reached for the pen.

Her signature shook across the page.

"Save my baby."

The doctor nodded.

"We will."

Within seconds, the surgical team rolled her bed toward the operating room.

As the doors swung open, Jax called after her.

"Emma!"

She turned.

"You've got all of us waiting for you."

For the first time that night, she smiled.

Then the doors closed.