Anne slipped her hand into Javi's again as they walked toward the exit, their fingers locking together instinctively.
"It's alright," she said softly, as if repeating it made it truer. "We caught it early. That's what matters."
Javi nodded, blinking up at the high windows where pale daylight filtered in.
"Yeah," he said. "Yeah… it is."
As they stepped outside, the cool spring air hit his face. Javi paused for a second, breathing deeply, then looked up at the sky. Quietly, so softly Anne almost missed it, he whispered a thank you. Not to anyone in particular. Just gratitude. That he had listened. That he had come. That his son had pushed him until he did.
They walked on together, hands clasped tightly, ready to face what came next.
* * *
