Chapter 12 - A Mother’s Heart ReclaimedIn the sheltered alcove of the depot office, the warmth of Noah’s patrol vehicle engine hummed nearby. Noah had secured Marcus in heavy cuffs, leading him to the secondary transport unit as federal backup sirens wailed faintly in the distant snowy passes.
Elena sat on an equipment bench, refusing medical attention until she had checked every inch of Leo’s hands, face, and chest.
"I lost my shoe, Mom," Leo whispered, burying his face in her neck, his tears warm against her frozen skin. "When they pulled me out of the car, my shoe came off in the snow."
"It's okay, baby," she sobbed, kissing his matted brown hair over and over. "We will buy a hundred pairs of shoes. You're here. You're safe."
Julian walked over, carrying infant Thomas in his portable carrier, wrapped securely against the winter draft. He set the carrier beside Elena.
Leo pulled back from his mother’s shoulder, looking down into the carrier with wide, wondrous eyes. "Is that him?"
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"That’s your brother, Leo," Elena smiled through her tears, smoothing Thomas's cheek with a trembling finger. "This is Thomas."
Leo reached out, his dirt-smudged finger gently touching the baby’s tiny fist. The infant stirred slightly, curling tiny fingers around Leo’s knuckle. "He’s so small," Leo whispered reverently. "I won't let anyone hurt him, Mom. I promise."
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