Emma sat on the couch with Mom and Dad. They had big smiles. "Emma, you're going to be a big sister!" Mom said. Emma's eyes grew wide. A baby? She jumped up and down. "When? When?" she asked. Dad laughed. "In a few months," he said. Emma couldn't wait. She hugged Mom tight. This was the best news ever! She imagined playing with her new brother or sister every day.

Emma helped paint the nursery yellow. "The baby will love this," Mom said. Emma picked out soft blankets and tiny clothes. Everything was so small! Dad built a crib. Emma handed him the tools. "You're a great helper," Dad said proudly. Emma smiled big. She felt important. At the store, Emma chose a stuffed bunny. "For the baby," she told the cashier. She couldn't wait to meet her new sibling.

The phone rang early one morning. Grandma came to stay with Emma. "Mom and Dad are at the hospital," Grandma said. Emma's tummy felt funny with excitement. Hours later, Dad called. "You have a baby brother! His name is Max." Emma squealed with joy. At the hospital, Emma held Max carefully. He was so tiny and perfect. "Hi Max, I'm your big sister," she whispered.

The house felt different with Max home. He cried a lot. Emma covered her ears sometimes. Mom rocked Max and fed him. Dad changed diapers. "Can I help?" Emma asked. "You can sing to him," Mom suggested. Emma sang a gentle song. Max stopped crying! His eyes looked at Emma. "He likes you," Dad said. Emma felt proud. Maybe being a big sister was special.

Mom fed Max again. Dad burped Max again. No one had time for Emma's drawing. "Look what I made," Emma said quietly. "In a minute, sweetie," Mom said. But a minute never came. Emma went to her room. She felt sad and alone. Max got all the attention. At dinner, Emma pushed her food around. "What's wrong?" Dad asked. Emma shrugged. She didn't want to say.

That night, Dad sat on Emma's bed. "Being a big sister is hard sometimes, isn't it?" he asked. Emma nodded. Tears filled her eyes. "I miss you and Mom," she said. Dad hugged her tight. "We love you so much, Emma. Babies need lots of care, but you're important too." "Really?" Emma asked. "Always," Dad promised. "How about we have special Emma time every day?" Emma smiled. That sounded perfect.

Every morning, Emma and Dad made pancakes together. Just the two of them. Emma cracked the eggs. They laughed when flour spilled. Mom read books with Emma before bed. They snuggled close. Emma picked the stories. Max slept in his crib nearby. "See? You get special time," Mom said. Emma hugged her. She felt much better now. Maybe having a brother wasn't so bad after all.

Max was getting bigger. He grabbed Emma's favorite doll. "No! That's mine!" Emma shouted. She pulled it back. Max's face crumpled. He started to cry. Mom came quickly. "Emma, babies don't understand yet," Mom explained gently. Emma felt bad. She found a rattle instead. "Here, Max," she said softly. Max smiled and shook it. The jingly sound made him giggle. Emma giggled too. Sharing wasn't easy, but Max's happiness made her feel good.

Max sat in his high chair. He looked right at Emma. "Em!" he said clearly. Everyone froze. "Did he just say Emma?" Dad asked excitedly. "Em! Em!" Max repeated, reaching toward her. Emma's heart felt so full. His first word was her name! She ran over and hugged him. "I love you too, Max!" Max patted her face with his chubby hands. Mom and Dad took pictures. Emma was the most important person to Max.

Emma showed Max how to stack blocks. "Like this," she said patiently. Max knocked them down. Emma built them again. Max clapped his hands. She taught him to wave bye-bye. Max waved at everyone now. Emma read him simple books, pointing at pictures. "Dog," she said. "Dog!" Max tried to say. Emma was a wonderful teacher. "You're so good with him," Mom said proudly. Emma beamed. Being a big sister meant she could help Max learn.

At the park, a big dog ran toward Max. Emma stepped in front of him. "Stay back!" she told the dog firmly. The owner called the dog away. "Sorry!" they said. Emma picked Max up. He felt safe in her arms. "It's okay, Max. I've got you," she whispered. Max hugged her neck tight. Mom smiled at Emma. "You protected your brother. That's what big sisters do." Emma felt brave and strong. Max needed her.

Emma tucked her blanket around Max at naptime. He held her hand through the crib bars. "Em," he said sleepily. "I'm here, buddy," Emma whispered. She remembered feeling left out before. Now she couldn't imagine life without Max. Yes, she had to share her toys and her parents' time. But Max loved her most of all. They would play together forever. Being a big sister was the best surprise ever. Emma kissed Max's forehead. "Sweet dreams, little brother."