When I woke up hours later—exhausted, aching, overwhelmed—there were flowers by my bed. Beside them sat a simple note: Get well soon, and congratulations.

I cried harder than I had in months.

The day I was discharged, he came back. He said he just wanted to make sure we got home safely. He carried my baby as if she were something sacred, installed the car seat with quiet care, and noticed my fridge was nearly empty. Before leaving, he stocked it.