INT. ICU ROOM — NIGHT

The room is dimmer now.

Jo sleeps.
Her breathing is shallow but steady.
Oxygen tubing resting beneath her nose.

Link sits at her bedside, phone in his hand.

He types.
To his mom.
Something loosens.
No hesitation this time.

TEXT 
Jo’s extubated.
Breathing on her own.
Did skin-to-skin with Baby A.
Both girls are steady.
Baby B’s still fragile but improving. 
Tell Luna and Scout I love them.

Sent.

He lowers the phone.
Watches her chest rise.
Counts without meaning to.
Lets himself believe it.

A nurse adjusts a line quietly, checks the monitor.

NURSE
She’s settling.
She’ll likely sleep most of the night.
(a beat)
You should get some sleep, Dr. Lincoln.
 
Link nods.

He leans in close, careful not to wake her.

LINK
(soft)
I’m going to go say goodnight to the babies.

He looks at the nurse.

LINK (CONT'D)
I’ll be in the on-call room after.
Call me if— 

NURSE
I will.

The nurse meets his eyes. A Soft smile.

NURSE (CONT'D)
We got her.

Link smiles back. Quiet.

He smooths the blanket once. Instinctive.
Watches her again.

She’s breathing.
On her own.

He stands.
One last look.

Then he steps out.

The door closes softly behind him.

The monitors continue their steady rhythm.
Jo sleeps.

FADE OUT.