The clinic was located in a quiet medical park surrounded by pines.

I sat in my SUV, watching the rain hit the windshield.

A small blue hatchback pulled into the space next to mine.

Maren got out, holding a large black umbrella.

Noah and Lila followed her, huddled close under the shelter of the canopy.

My heart ached when I saw them.

Noah wore a yellow raincoat, and Lila had a bright red backpack.

They looked so much like the photos Maren had shown me, yet seeing them in person made my chest tighten.

I opened my door and stepped out into the damp air.

Maren caught my eye and gave a small, tense nod.

“Hello, Adrian,” she said.

“Hi, Maren,” I replied.

I looked down at the children.

“Hi, Noah. Hi, Lila.”

Noah looked at me with curiosity, his eyes scanning my face.

Lila hid slightly behind her mother’s leg, clutching Maren’s coat.

“Is this the doctor who’s going to check our ears?” Noah asked.

“Just a quick cheek swab,” Maren told him, her voice steady.

We walked inside the clinic together.