July 2 2019
The sun was mellow and golden as Dave secured Mateo's car seat into the back of AJ's brand-new matte black G-Wagon. The baby, swaddled in soft beige and white, was fast asleep—his tiny chest rising and falling in calm rhythm.
AJ (peeking in from the passenger side)- He's good?
Dave (double-checking the straps)- Snug as ever. Ain't going nowhere, not on my watch.
AJ smiled and slid into the driver's seat. She gently placed her hand on the steering wheel, still not over the fact that this luxurious tank of a car was hers.
*AJ- Mateo's first real outing.
Dave (smirking)-He better be. Maria's probably already baking like five different things just for him.
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#At Maria and Daniel's House**
They pulled up to a cozy, Dominican-style home wrapped in flower beds and warm brick. The front door opened before they could even knock.
Maria (excited, arms out)-¡Dios mío! Is that my grandbaby?!
AJ (laughing)-Girl, relax, you gon' make me drop him!
Maria- Let me see him, AJ—por favor.
Dave carefully lifted Mateo from the car seat and passed him to Maria. She cradled him like she'd been waiting for this moment her whole life.
Maria (cooing)- Hola Mateo... mí precioso niño. He looks just like jAJ
Daniel (stepping out)- But he's got dave's eyes. Strong. A little serious already."
Dave (grinning)- That's the 'don't mess with me' face. He get it from his mama.
They all headed inside, where the table was already covered in food—empanadas, arroz con pollo, sweet plantains, fresh fruit, and of course, **Maria's famous flan**.
AJ (eyes wide)-abuela! I thought we were just coming to visit, not feast!
Maria- You bring the baby, I bring the feast. That's the rule."
Dave took Mateo back from Maria and laid him in the bassinet they brought along. He stirred just a little, then settled with a soft sigh.
Daniel (watching him)- He's calm. Peaceful. That's rare in newborns.
AJ (smiling proudly)-He's been like that since day one. Mateo's just... gentle.
They all sat at the table, laughing, telling stories, sharing memories. Maria insisted on feeding AJ an extra plate, saying she needed strength "for the milk and the moods." Daniel pulled Dave aside to talk father-to-father.
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**Later That Evening**
As the sky turned soft lavender outside, Maria walked AJ to the living room where Mateo slept.
Maria (softly)-You're doing amazing, AJ. You and Dave... this boy is lucky.
AJ (emotional)-I'm the lucky one. He's already taught me more than I ever thought I needed to know.
Maria (kissing her cheek)-Motherhood fits you. Your mama would be proud of you
AJ looked down at Mateo, then turned to Dave who was joking with Daniel in the kitchen.
AJ- It fits us.
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As they packed up and said their goodbyes, Maria slipped a tiny wooden bracelet into AJ's hand.
Maria- It's for protection. I blessed it for Mateo. Old tradition.
AJ (touched)- Thank you. He'll wear it always.
They placed Mateo back in his seat, and the G-Wagon pulled away under the stars, the hum of the engine a gentle promise of more memories to come.
Mateo slept the whole way home—peaceful, loved, and surrounded by the warmth of family.
The G-Wagon purred gently into the driveway, its matte black body catching the moonlight. Dave parked while AJ peeked back at the car seat.
AJ (whispering)- Still asleep.
Dave (smiling)- That boy don't play when it comes to his naps.
They stepped inside the house, lights dim, air cool and calm. Luke gave a small nod from the front hallway, ready to turn in.
Luke- Everything good?
Dave- Yeah. Thanks for staying close.
Luke- Always.
He disappeared down the hall, leaving the little family alone. Dave gently carried Mateo upstairs to the nursery, laid him down in the crib, and AJ stood beside him, both of them just watching their son.
AJ (quietly)- He's really ours.
Dave- Wild, right? He been here just over a week and got the whole house in check.
They smiled in silence for a moment. Then AJ leaned into Dave's side and laid her head on his chest.
AJ- Today was good. Abuela was so happy. I forgot how loud and warm her house feels
Dave- I think Mateo needed that. I think *we* needed that.
AJ- You mean the food. You had three plates, babe.
Dave (grinning)- Guilty. But also—just seeing them light up when they held him? That did something to me. We really started something.
They quietly left the nursery, leaving the door slightly cracked, and made their way downstairs. AJ curled up on the couch with a blanket while Dave brought two mugs of tea—hers with honey, his straight.
AJ- This... right here? I could do this every night.
Dave (settling beside her)- This is everything I ever wanted. Just me, you, and that little bean upstairs.
AJ- Mateo.
Dave (chuckling)- Mateo the peaceful.
She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes for a second.
AJ- I was scared... before he got here. That maybe I wouldn't be enough.
Dave turned, brushing her locs from her face.
Dave- You are more than enough. You're everything, AJ. You're already the best mom he could ever have.
AJ (quietly)- Thank you for today. For the car. For giving me the space to be me and the strength when I forget I have it."
Dave- You don't ever have to thank me for loving you.
He kissed her forehead.
Dave (softly)- But you *do* have to admit that G-Wagon was fire.
AJ (laughing)- Okay, okay. It's fire.
They sat in peaceful silence for a moment, the soft hum of the baby monitor and the tea steam rising between them. Mateo stirred once upstairs, then fell right back into his calm sleep.
AJ (smiling)- He's really the calm in our chaos.
Dave- He's the peace I didn't know I needed.
They sat there on the couch, wrapped up in love, soft laughter, and the stillness of this new chapter.
Just AJ, Dave, and Mateo.
