The warm afternoon sun made everything feel just a little brighter as Joelle and Jey walked back to the car after their lunch. Despite the worries that still lingered over her heart, Joelle couldn't help but feel lighter, even if just for a little while. Jey's presence had made all the difference, and the moments of peace they shared had given her the space to breathe, even if only for a short time.

As Jey started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, he glanced over at Joelle. Her eyes were already far away, and he could tell she was still carrying the weight of everything going on with Malachi.

"Hey, how about we make one more stop before heading back?" Jey said, breaking the silence with his warm voice.

Joelle turned her head toward him, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Where?"

Jey grinned mischievously. "The toy store."

Joelle looked at him, surprised. "The toy store?"

"Yep," Jey replied with a wink. "You're never too old for a little fun, right?"

Joelle's lips curved into a small smile, the first real one she'd had all day. She shrugged. "I guess I could use some fun."

"Exactly," Jey said, making a turn onto the street leading to the shopping plaza. "Let's go pick out something cool. You never know when you might need a new toy."

Joelle couldn't help but laugh a little. "What are we gonna do with a toy?"

"We're gonna buy something fun. Maybe a little something for Malachi to cheer him up while he's in the hospital," Jey said, his tone light. "Maybe something for you too, to remind you that you don't have to be so serious all the time."

Joelle felt a tug of surprise in her chest. She had been so focused on being the strong big sister, that she hadn't allowed herself to have fun in a long time. The idea of doing something silly, even for a few minutes, felt strangely comforting.

When they arrived at the toy store, Joelle hesitated at first, but then she followed Jey inside, feeling like a weight had lifted just a little more. The store was filled with rows of brightly colored toys, action figures, stuffed animals, board games, and puzzles. The cheerful atmosphere was a stark contrast to the sterile, quiet halls of the hospital. It was the kind of place where things didn't feel so heavy.

Jey immediately headed toward the aisle with action figures, his eyes scanning the shelves with an exaggerated seriousness. "Okay, if you're gonna pick something for Malachi, we need to make sure it's something with the coolest action figures. The more muscles, the better."

Joelle snickered at his over-the-top tone. "I'm not sure Malachi cares about muscles, Jey."

"Trust me," he said, pulling down a small action figure of a superhero with enormous muscles and a cape. "Every kid loves superheroes, especially the ones with muscles like this. Plus, I can teach him how to do cool superhero poses."

Joelle smiled, the warmth in her chest growing. "Okay, I think he'll like that one."

Jey handed her the action figure, then glanced at her curiously. "What about you? Are you gonna pick something, or are you just here for moral support?"

Joelle bit her lip thoughtfully, scanning the shelves of toys. Her eyes landed on a soft, plush stuffed animal-a giant, floppy-eared bunny that seemed to smile up at her with a friendly face. It wasn't something Malachi would want, but she felt like she needed it. She had always found comfort in stuffed animals when she was younger, and maybe, just maybe, this one would help her, too.

After a moment's hesitation, she picked it up and turned it over in her hands. It was soft, comforting, and for some reason, it felt like the right choice.

Jey raised an eyebrow. "A bunny, huh? That's for you?"

Joelle nodded slowly, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Yeah. It's... silly, I know. But I think I need something to hold onto. A little reminder that I can still have some comfort, even if everything's scary."

Jey's expression softened, and he reached over to give her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Hey, if it helps, then it's not silly at all. Sometimes you just need something to hold onto. I get it."

Joelle smiled faintly, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks, Jey."

With their toys in hand, they made their way to the checkout counter, where the cashier rang up their items. Joelle felt a little lighter as she handed over the money for the stuffed bunny and the action figure. It wasn't much, but the small act of picking out something for herself, something to hold on to, felt like a step in the right direction.

When they were back in the car, Jey turned to her with a smile. "You ready to head back to the hospital?"

Joelle nodded, holding the stuffed bunny close. It wasn't the solution to everything, but it was something-a small moment of joy in a time filled with so much uncertainty. She felt a little more grounded, a little more hopeful, and she knew that she could face whatever came next with the support of her family by her side.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Joelle said, her voice a little steadier now. "Let's go."

And with that, they drove back toward the hospital, the weight of the world still hanging in the air but, for the first time in a long while, a little lighter to carry.