The soft hum of the hospital filled the air as Jared carefully adjusted the straps of Lilo's tiny bag. Sophia smoothed a hand over her daughter's hair, her touch lingering as if to reassure herself that this was real—that Lilo was truly well enough to leave. As they were about to depart she carefully smoothed out the wrinkles in Lilo's favorite dress that she had now worn with insistence.
"There we go," Sophia murmured, pressing a kiss to Lilo's forehead. "All ready to go home, sweetheart."
Lilo blinked up at her mother, her big squirrel eyes still heavy with sleep. "Can we have pancakes when we get back?" She said rubbing her eyes.
Jared chuckled, scooping her up into his arms. "Absolutely. Extra syrup, just like you like them."
Ein stood by the doorway, watching the scene with a quiet smile. "All the paperwork is settled," he said warmly. "She just needs a couple of days of rest, and then she'll be back to her usual energetic self."
Sophia turned to him, her expression softening. "Thank you, Doctor. And please, thank Dr. Mey for us as well. We know how hard she's been working."
Ein nodded. "I'll pass along your gratitude. She asked me to come in her stead, to convey her sincere thanks for your invaluable assistance with the research and for allowing Lilo to be the first to undergo the new treatment. She had hoped to thank you personally as well, but…"
Jared waved a hand dismissively, a gesture that was both casual and sincere. "There is no need for such formalities. We know she is extremely busy these days. I understand she made an agreement with His Highness. Do you anticipate that she will meet this deadline?"
"She will likely be ahead of schedule," Ein replied, offering a faint, reassuring smile. "But its best we avoid discussing that too openly."
Jared shifted Lilo in his arms, his voice light but sincere. "I understand. Tell her we'll stop by soon to check in. Maybe bring some of those cinnamon rolls she likes from the bakery near our house."
Lilo perked up at that. "The ones with the icing?"
"The very same," Jared confirmed with a grin.
''SUPER YUM!!" Lilo said throwing her head back and raising her arms to the sky. Her signature move. Everyone chuckled at that adorable scene.
Sophia reached out, brushing a stray curl from Lilo's face. "You've been so brave, my love."
Lilo giggled sheepishly. As they stepped out into the sunlight, Lilo squinted against the brightness before burying her face in Jared's shoulder. Sophia looped her arm with Jared. They walked happily toward the exit, relieved to leave.
"It's good to have you back, princess," Jared murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of Lilo's head.
With the discharge complete, Ein watched as the family left the hospital, Lilo cradled securely in her father's arms. As the weight of the moment settled over him, a faint sense of hope rose within him. The treatment would indeed alter the course of the epidemic. He recalled how, when Dr.Mey first proposed the idea of plasma treatment, many had scoffed himself included, questioning the viability of such a novel method. Yet now, they stood on the precipice of something truly groundbreaking.