I settled them into the corner of the couch, made sure her arm was around him just right. He was fussing a little, squirming, but nothing alarming. I grabbed my phone to snap a few pictures. The lighting was great. Her smile looked so proud.

That’s when I noticed him flinching.

At first I thought it was just a newborn twitch. But then I saw her left hand—tucked just out of frame—digging hard into the fabric of his onesie. Not playfully. Her tiny nails were clenched.