In a quaint, suburban town, a peculiar silence lurked in the darkened corridors of the Peterson household. The clock's persistent tick echoed through the empty halls, punctuating the stillness of the night. The soft glow of the moon seeped through a crack in the curtains of a room where a young man named Derrik lay wide-awake, staring at the ceiling. His twin brother, Aaron, mirrored his insomnia in the bed across the room, his mind racing with thoughts that seemed to grow more and more tangible as the night deepened.

A shared, unspoken tension grew between the two brothers, a secret desire that had been festering for months. Tonight, it reached a desperate point that could no longer be ignored. The object of their obsession: their younger sister, Amy, who lay sleeping in her room just a few feet away. Her gentle snores and the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest seemed to beckon them closer, invading their thoughts with a mix of guilt and overwhelming lust.

With a silent nod, they both slipped out of their beds, tiptoeing to her door. Derrik carefully turned the knob, ensuring not to make a sound. The door cracked open, revealing the soft luminescence of a nightlight, casting a warm glow across Amy's peaceful face. She lay there, unassuming in her innocence, her long brunette hair fanned out on the pillow. Their hearts raced, but their intentions were clear.

They entered the room with the grace of shadows, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. Aaron's gaze fell upon her, his cock stirring with anticipation. He approached the bed, his eyes fixated on the outline of her plump lips. Derrik, equally aroused, hovered near the bed. The room smelled faintly of her sweet perfume, mingling with the scent of fresh laundry.

"Look at those curves," Derrik whispered, his eyes tracing the silhouette of Amy's body beneath the thin sheet. "She's so fucking hot, isn't she?"

Aaron nodded, his gaze lingering on the swell of her breasts and the curve of her hips. "I've been hard since I saw her in that mini skirt when she got home from her class," he murmured.

They both took a moment to appreciate the beauty of their sleeping sibling. The way her chest gently rose and fell with each breath, the soft curve of her stomach, and the way her legs were slightly parted, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what lay beneath. "Look at her tits," Aaron whispered, his voice thick with desire. "They're perfect."

Derrik couldn't help but agree. "Her ass too," he added, his voice quivering slightly. "It's like a perfect peach." He took his cock out and started to stroke it from base to tip.

Aaron leaned over her, his breath hot against her neck. "I need to taste her skin," he murmured, the words barely audible. He gently pulled the sheet down, exposing her naked body to the cool night air. Goosebumps prickled her skin, but she remained asleep, lost in the comforting embrace of unconsciousness.

With trembling hands, he peeled back the thin sheet, revealing the fullness of her breasts, the pale pink of her nipples standing at attention. He leaned in, his mouth watering as he took in her scent. The tip of his tongue darted out, tracing the edge of her light tan areola before flicking over the peak of her pink nipple. A soft moan escaped her lips, but she didn't stir. Encouraged, he took her nipple into his mouth, sucking gently, feeling it harden against his tongue.

Derrik watched with envy, his own cock throbbing in his hand. He slid down the bed to the apex of her thighs. The sight of her bare pussy made him bite his lower lip. He hovered there, his warm breath caressing her skin, feeling the heat emanating from her core. She smelled divine, like a soft, sweet, musky scent. He gently parted her pussy lips that glistened in the light. And then ever so slowly, slipped a finger inside her, marveling at how wet she was, even in her sleep. He began to pump slowly, his movements measured and deliberate, watching as her body reacted to his touch.

Amy's breathing grew heavier, her chest rising and falling faster, but she remained asleep. The sensation was exquisite, a mix of intrusion and pleasure that she had never experienced before. Unaware of the source, her body responded naturally, her hips beginning to rock with his rhythm.

Derrik watched his sister's reaction, his eyes glazed over with desire. He leaned in, his face mere inches from her glistening pussy, and took a deep breath, inhaling her sweet, musky scent. He spread her legs wider, his tongue darting out to taste her. The softness of her folds was like nothing he had ever felt, and the sound of her wetness filled the room, a symphony of desire that only fueled his passion. He licked her from bottom to top, teasing her clit with gentle strokes, savoring the way she quivered against his mouth.

Her body responded to his touch, her legs moving restlessly, her hips bucking slightly. He could feel her getting closer to the edge, and he knew he had to be careful not to wake her. The thrill of the forbidden act only added to his arousal. He flicked her clit rapidly, feeling it swell under his tongue, and slipped a  second finger inside her. Her inner walls clamped down, her body silently begging for more. He added a third, curling them upward to hit that sweet spot deep inside her.

Aaron watched, his cock jutting out from his boxers, demanding attention. He whispered, "Careful, don't wake her up." His voice was a mix of excitement and caution. He knew that if they were caught, there would be hell to pay, but the risk only added to the thrill. He slid his hand down his boxers, took his cock in his hand, stroking it as he watched Derrik's head bob between her legs.

As Derrik's ministrations grew more intense, Aaron eyes locked on Amy's breasts, which bounced slightly with each of her unconscious moans. He took one of her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it gently as he leaned in to kiss the other. The taste of her skin was intoxicating, and he couldn't help but suck harder, eliciting a muffled gasp from her parted lips. Her body arched slightly, pressing her chest closer to his face. He took the hint, switching to the other nipple, his tongue dancing around the tight peak.

Aaron felt his own need growing. He began to stroke himself faster. He pushed his boxers down. He stroked his hard, hot cock from base to tip, feeling the velvety skin slide against his hand. He squeezed his balls, the pressure adding to the building tension. His thumb circled the head of his cock, spreading the pre-cum that had beaded there.

The thought of her waking to his cock in her mouth was too tempting. He gently nudged her face with his shaft, leaving a trail of his pre-cum across her upper lip. He watched as the sticky fluid shimmered in the moonlight, a silent invitation. He leaned closer, his breath hot and ragged against her skin.

Derrik looked up from in between his sisters parted thighs, his lips covered in her arousal and watched as his brother run his hard, pulsing cock along his sisters slightly parted lips. "Dude, you're gonna wake her up!" He hissed.

Ignoring his brother's warning, Aaron's hand trembled with anticipation as he aligned the tip of his cock with her mouth. He held it there, his heart thundering in his chest. The head of his cock was just millimeters away from her mouth, the heat from her breath warming it. The tension in the room was palpable, the only sounds were the soft slurps from Derrik's mouth and the muffled moans of their sister.

Suddenly, Aaron could no longer take it. He thrust forward, and with a muffled gasp, Amy's mouth was filled with his hard length. She jolted awake, her eyes flying open. For a brief second, she was confused, but the sensation was undeniable. She felt something thick and hard pushing against the back of her throat, and the taste of something salty coating her tongue. Instinctively, she began to suck, her eyes focusing on the shadowy figure above her.

To both brothers' surprise, they're sister moaned around Aaron's cock as if instead of being appalled like they'd assumed she would be, she was just as eager for them as they were for her.

Derrik, noticing the sudden change, took this as a cue to move on to the other part of his sister he was aching to taste. His eyes never left  Aaron's cock disappearing and reappearing in the dark cavern of his sister's mouth. His cock leaked while taking in the view of Aaron's cock disappearing between her lips. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. But he had his own plan.

With a grin, he leaned in and once again took her clit into his mouth, his tongue flicking it with renewed vigor. He felt her body tense, a soft moan escaping around Aaron's cock. He knew she was fully awake now, but she remained still, allowing them to continue. Derrik's hand slipped down, his middle finger tracing the line from her pussy to her asshole, teasing it lightly.

Amy's eyes widened as she felt Derrik's finger at her back entrance. She'd never been touched there before, and the sensation was shocking, yet oddly tantalizing. Her moans grew louder, muffled by Aaron's cock, as her body began to accept the new sensation. Her mind swirled with confusion, but the pleasure was undeniable.

Aaron's eyes searched hers, looking for any sign of fear or rejection, but instead, he saw something else - a flicker of excitement. Encouraged, he pushed deeper into her mouth, his hand tangling in her hair to guide her movements. He watched as she took him in, her cheeks hollowing out with each suck, her eyes fluttering closed in ecstasy. His hips began to move of their own accord, setting a rhythm that she matched eagerly.

Derrik, feeling the urgency built in the room, decided it was time to explore. With his breath hot against her tight puckered asshole, he paused, savoring the moment before he touched his tongue to her, tracing the tight ring of muscle.

Amy's eyes snapped open, a silent gasp escaping around Aaron's cock as she felt the new sensation. She had never been so thoroughly touched, so intimately invaded, and the realization of what her brothers were doing sent a shiver down her spine. But the sensation was too intense to ignore, and she found herself pushing back against Derrik's tongue.

Her body responded to their touches in ways she never knew possible, the line between fear and pleasure blurring into a haze of sensation. The feel of Aaron's cock in her mouth was foreign, yet oddly comforting, and she found herself eager to please him, to make him feel as good as they were making her feel. She took him deeper, her tongue swirling around the head, her cheeks hollowing with each bob of her head.

Meanwhile, Derrik's tongue probed at her ass, slipping in and out with a gentle insistence. She could feel him testing her limits, pushing the boundaries of what she knew she liked. Her breath grew shallower, her moans around Aaron's cock growing more urgent. The two brothers had become a symphony of desire, each movement calculated to drive her closer to the edge of pleasure.

As Derrik's tongue penetrated her ass, she felt her pussy clench around his fingers, her orgasm building. Aaron's eyes never left hers, watching the pleasure play out across her features. He could feel his own climax approaching, the tightness in his balls a sure sign he wouldn't last much longer.

With a sudden surge, he pulled his cock from her mouth, the wet pop echoing through the quiet room. "I need to be inside you, Sis" he pleaded.

Her eyes, glazed with arousal, searched his. She felt a strange mix of fear and excitement, but the need was too strong. She nodded, her voice a breathy whisper, "Okay."

Amy shifted her body, moving onto her hands and knees, presenting herself to Aaron. Her breathing grew erratic, her heart hammering in her chest as she felt his cock, slick with her saliva, nudge against her wet entrance. He pushed in slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. The feeling of fullness was intense, and she let out a soft whine as he filled her up. She watched Derrik wipe her arousal from his mouth as he took in the sight of his twin slide in her pussy.

Derrik leaned forward, his cock bobbing with excitement. He grabbed her face and lined himself up with her mouth. "Take it," he whispered, and she did, her lips parting to accept him. His cock was warm and thick, and she tasted the saltiness of his pre-cum.

Aaron gripped her hips tightly, his knuckles white as he pulled her back onto his cock. Each thrust was deep and deliberate, filling her completely. She gagged slightly as she swallowed Derriks cock, between his large size and the way Aaron's thrusting forced his brother's cock down her throat it took a minute to get her bearings. She was being spit roasted by her older twin brothers! She'd only seen the act in porn videos. The sensation was overwhelming, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she started to rock back, meeting Aaron thrust for thrust. Her walls clenched around him, her body moving with a will of its own, while she took Derrik as far down her throat as she could manage.

The room was alive with the sound of skin slapping and muffled moans. Aaron's strokes grew more erratic, his breathing ragged, as he approached the edge of his orgasm. He watched as his cock slid in and out of his sisters tight, wet pussy, the sight of her taking both of them so eagerly pushing him closer.

Derrik's eyes rolled back in his head as he felt the warmth of her mouth enveloping his cock. Her cheeks hollowed out with each deep-throated suck, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer. The taste of her juices was still on his tongue, making him even more desperate to cum.

"You like that, don't you?" he groaned, his voice thick with lust. "You like having your brothers' cocks in your mouth and pussy, don't you?"

Amy couldn't form words, but she nodded, her eyes watering slightly from the pressure on her throat. The pleasure was intense, and she felt herself getting closer to the brink with each thrust.

Derrik's hand moved to her throat, his grip firm but not painful. He began to face-fuck her, his cock sliding in and out of her mouth in time with Aaron's rhythm. The feeling of being used, of being completely at their mercy, sent a thrill through her body. She had never felt so alive, so filled with want and need.

Her eyes watered as she took him deeper, her throat convulsing around his thick shaft. The salty taste of his precum mixed with the drool that began to trickle down her chin. "Look how much you like it," he murmured, watching the droplets fall onto her heaving breasts. "You're such a good little slut for us."

Aaron's grip on her hips tightened as he picked up the pace, his cock plunging into her with a ferocity that was both painful and exhilarating. Suddenly she jolted as she felt a smack to ass. And then another. Each slap of his hand against her ass echoed through the room, leaving a red hand print on her pale skin. "You're so tight," he groaned, his eyes squeezed shut in pleasure. "So fucking tight."

Derrik watched, his own climax approaching as he felt the tension building in his brother's body. "Aaron," he murmured, his voice a low growl of lust. "Finger her ass. She loves it." He stared into Amy's watery eyes as his cock slid down her throat he was still gripping in his large palm. 

"Don't you?" He said to her, ramming his cock down until she gagged, "You like having your tight little hole stretched?"

Amy could barely nod as the drool dribbled down her chin.

Aaron took Derrik's advice, his own curiosity piqued. He slid one finger along her wet folds, feeling the slickness of her pussy juices coating his finger. He watched as she took Derrik's cock, her eyes watering but never breaking contact with his. He pushed his finger in gently, feeling the resistance of her tight hole. She moaned, the sound vibrating around his cock, sending waves of pleasure through him. He began to pump faster, his finger moving in sync with his hips.

The sensation of fullness grew more intense as Aaron pushed his finger into her ass, her body tightening around both his cock and finger. She whimpered around Derrik's cock, the pressure building inside her. The feeling of having her brother's cock in her pussy and another in her ass was unlike anything she'd ever felt. It was as if they were claiming her, making her theirs, and the taboo nature of it all only heightened her arousal.

The room was filled with the sounds of their hushed breathing and the slap of skin on skin. The smell of sex grew stronger, a potent mix of sweat and arousal that seemed to coat the air.

Amy felt her orgasm building, her body responding to the dual invasions. Aaron's cock filled her completely, his finger in her ass sending sparks of pleasure shooting through her body. Derrik's cock in her mouth was huge, stretching her throat, but she took it willingly, eager to taste her brother's cum. The sensations were overwhelming, and she knew she couldn't hold back much longer.

Her pussy tightened around Aaron's cock, her ass clenching around his finger. She moaned, the sound vibrating along Derrik's length. He took the cue, his grip on her throat tightening as he began to thrust faster. The head of his cock hit the back of her throat, and she gagged, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she pushed back, taking him even deeper.

The pressure in her ass was unbearable, but in the most delicious way. She felt like she was being split in two, but instead of pain, it brought an intense pleasure that washed over her like a tidal wave. Her pussy clenched around Aaron's cock as she felt the first spurt of Derrik's hot cum fill her mouth. She swallowed instinctively, the taste of his seed coating her tongue. The twins gazes met over their sisters curves, they couldn't resist smiling at bumping fists. The fantasy they had shared for so long was actually happening.

Aaron watched as Derrik's hips jerked, his brother's hand gripping her hair tightly as he came. The sight was too much for him to bear, and with a final, powerful thrust, he too reached his peak. His cock pulsed inside her, filling her up with his hot seed. Amy felt her own orgasm crest, her body trembling as she took her brothers' combined pleasure.

Her pussy spasmed around Aaron's cock, her ass clenching around Derrik's finger. The sensation was indescribable, a mix of pleasure and pain that washed over her in waves. She could feel their warmth inside her, their cum mixing with her own juices. It was a feeling she had never experienced before, and it was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Aaron's thrusts slowed, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he leaned over her, his hand still gripping her hip. "Fuck, sis," he whispered, his voice thick with lust. "That was... that was amazing."

Derrik pulled out of her mouth, his cock glistening with her saliva and his own cum. He leaned down to kiss her neck, his breath hot and heavy against her skin. "Good girl," he murmured, his deep voice rumbled in his chest.

Amy's body was still trembling from the intensity of the orgasm that had ripped through her. She felt used, but in the best possible way. Her mind raced with the reality of what had just happened, the taboo nature of the act and immense pleasure warring within her. Yet, she couldn't deny the satisfaction that washed over her as she felt them both inside her, filling her completely.

She collapsed onto the bed, her body limp with exhaustion and pleasure.

Amy felt her orgasm building, her body responding to the dual invasions. Aaron's cock filled her completely, his finger in her ass sending sparks of pleasure shooting through her body. Derrik's cock in her mouth was huge, stretching her throat, but she took it willingly, eager to taste her brother's cum. The sensations were overwhelming, and she knew she couldn't hold back much longer.

Her pussy tightened around Aaron's cock, her ass clenching around his finger. She moaned, the sound vibrating along Derrik's length. He took the cue, his grip on her throat tightening as he began to thrust faster. The head of his cock hit the back of her throat, and she gagged, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she pushed back, taking him even deeper.

The pressure in her ass was unbearable, but in the most delicious way. She felt like she was being split in two, but instead of pain, it brought an intense pleasure that washed over her like a tidal wave. Her pussy clenched around Aaron's cock as she felt the first spurt of Derrik's hot cum fill her mouth. She swallowed instinctively, the taste of his seed coating her tongue.

Aaron watched as Derrik's hips jerked, his brother's hand gripping her hair tightly as he came. The sight was too much for him to bear, and with a final, powerful thrust, he too reached his peak. His cock pulsed inside her, filling her up with his hot seed. Amy felt her own orgasm crest, her body trembling as she took her brothers' combined pleasure.

Her pussy spasmed around Aaron's cock, her ass clenching around Derrik's finger. The sensation was indescribable, a mix of pleasure and pain that washed over her in waves. She could feel their warmth inside her, their cum mixing with her own juices. It was a feeling she had never experienced before, and it was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Aaron's thrusts slowed, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he leaned over her, his hand still gripping her hip. "Fuck, sis," he whispered, his voice thick with lust. "That was... that was amazing."

Derrik pulled out of her mouth, his cock glistening with her saliva and his own cum. He leaned down to kiss her neck, his breath hot and heavy against her skin. "Good girl," he murmured, his deep voice rumbled in his chest.

Amy's body was still trembling from the intensity of the orgasm that had ripped through her. She felt used, but in the best possible way. Her mind raced with the reality of what had just happened, the taboo nature of the act and immense pleasure warring within her. Yet, she couldn't deny the satisfaction that washed over her as she felt them both inside her, filling her completely.

She collapsed onto the bed, her body limp with exhaustion and pleasure.

The twins looked at each other, their chests heaving with exertion. The grins on their faces were mirror images of pure satisfaction. They had never felt so alive, so powerful. The thrill of taking their sister, of sharing her like this, was indescribable. They had crossed a line that could never be uncrossed, but in that moment, they didn't care.

Derrik leaned over, kissing her gently on the forehead. "You were amazing," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "So beautiful."

Amy blushed, her cheeks red with more than just exertion. She had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable, yet also so desired. She looked up at them, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions she couldn't quite sort out. "What have we done?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Aaron stroked her hair, his eyes filled with concern. "It's okay, Amy, don't freak out" he said, his voice soothing. "It was just... something that happened. It doesn't have to mean anything more than that."

But even as he said the words, he knew they were a lie. They had all felt the connection, the raw, primal need that had driven them to this point. It was a bond that couldn't be broken, not now. They had shared something that was both beautiful and twisted, and it had changed them forever.

"We can't tell anyone," Derrik said, his voice low and urgent. "This is our secret."

Amy nodded, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement. "I know," she whispered. "But... what happens now?"

The brothers shared a knowing glance. They had taken the first step into the dark abyss of incest, and there was no going back. They had to be careful, to keep their desires hidden from the outside world. But in the safety of their shared room, they could indulge in the taboo fantasy that had consumed them for so long.

Derrik leaned down and kissed Amy softly, tasting his own cum on her lips. "We'll figure it out," he assured her, his voice filled with a comforting tenderness that belied the rawness of their actions. "But right now, let's just... enjoy the moment."

The room was silent except for their heavy breathing and the sticky sound of their bodies parting. They all lay there, panting, their hearts racing in the aftermath of what they had done. The air was thick with the scent of sex, a heady aroma that seemed to cling to their skin.

Amy was nestled between them, her head resting on Aaron's chest, one hand tangled in Derrik's hair. Her body was a warm, wet mess of cum and sweat, but she felt a strange sense of comfort in their embrace. They were her brothers, the only family she had ever known, and in that moment, she felt a deep connection to them that went beyond the mere physical.

Their hearts beat in sync, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the night. The only light was the soft glow from the moon outside, casting a silver sheen over their tangled limbs. It was a moment frozen in time, a secret shared that would bind them together forever. And in that moment, that was all that mattered.

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Tom felt the crunch of ice beneath him before the world turned white. A sharp pain shot through his leg, and his skis clattered away into the distance. The quiet mountain air was pierced by his agonized cry. He lay sprawled out on the snow, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Mandy heard the commotion from the deck of the lodge, her heart skipping a beat as she heard her brother's name being yelled. People were shouting saying he'd been hurt. She had been enjoying a cup of hot chocolate by the outdoor fireplace, her thoughts lost in a book about ancient civilizations. Now, she was racing through the snow in her boots, her gloved hands clutching the poles of her skis as she slid down the hill towards the scene of the accident.

Her eyes widened as she saw the twisted shape of Tom, lying awkwardly in the snow, surrounded by a group of concerned skiers. One of them, a burly man with a beard, was speaking into a radio, calling for the ski patrol. Mandy shoved her way through, dropping her skis and falling to her knees beside Tom. His eyes were tight with pain, and his breath was shallow. She gently touched his cheek, whispering his name, trying to reassure him that she was there.

Tom's leg was bent at an unnatural angle, and she knew immediately it was broken. The sight made her stomach churn, but she swallowed hard, pushing down her fear. The others had formed a barricade to keep the gawkers at bay, giving Mandy a moment to process the gravity of the situation. Their parents were miles away, enjoying a much deserved getaway, and she was the only one here to take charge.

The ski patrol arrived with a flurry of red jackets and skis. They moved with calm efficiency, assessing Tom's condition and strapping him onto a stretcher. The sound of their radios crackling with medical jargon filled the air as they secured him for the bumpy ride down the mountain. Mandy followed close behind, her cheeks stinging from the cold wind and her heart thudding in her chest.

At the hospital, Mandy sat in the waiting room, her fingers tapping a nervous rhythm on her knee. The smell of antiseptic filled her nose, and the sterile white walls seemed to close in around her. The doctor eventually emerged, his expression grim. He explained that Tom had a compound fracture and would need surgery. The words felt like a punch to the gut, but Mandy nodded, her eyes never leaving her brother's.

The hours ticked by as she waited for the surgery to end. She called their parents, the tremble in her voice belying her attempt at calmness. Mandy felt the weight of responsibility heavy on her shoulders. This was her brother, her charge, and she was determined to make sure he was well taken care of.

When the doctor finally came out, he was reassuring, but the lines around his eyes spoke of the seriousness of the situation. Tom would need to stay in the hospital for at least a week, followed by several weeks of home care. Their vacation plans were shattered like Tom's leg, and Mandy knew she'd have to step up. She nodded, taking in the instructions, her mind racing with the logistics of the coming days.

The hospital room was small and stark, the only color coming from the dull blue curtains that surrounded Tom's bed. He was groggy from the pain meds, his leg elevated and wrapped in a heavy cast. Mandy tried to smile, but the sight of his pale face and the beeping of the machines made her want to cry. Instead, she took a deep breath and vowed to be strong for him.

"Hey, Tommy," she said, her voice shakier than she'd like. "You're going to be okay."

Tom's eyes fluttered open, and he managed a weak smile. "Mandy," he croaked, his throat dry from the surgery. "You're here."

Mandy rushed to his side, her eyes glistening. "Of course I am," she said, her voice strong despite the tightness in her chest. "You're going to be okay. You're going to have to take it easy for a while, though."

Tom's smile grew a little wider, and he reached out for her hand. "You're the best, Mandy."

Mandy squeezed his hand firmly. "And don't you forget it. Now, let's get you comfortable." She adjusted his pillow and fluffed the blankets around him, trying to ignore the ache in her own legs from the long day of skiing and the subsequent rush to the hospital.

The following days were a blur of hospital routines and paperwork. Mandy juggled her schoolwork with visiting Tom, her days stretching into long nights as she sat by his side, reading to him or playing his favorite games on her phone. She'd never felt more grown-up, more responsible. And despite the situation, she found a strange sense of pride in being the one he needed.

When the day came to bring Tom home, Mandy had transformed his room into a mini-hospital suite. She had moved his bed closer to the door to accommodate the wheelchair, and stocked the nightstand with water, snacks, and his favorite books. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic, a stark reminder of the challenge ahead.