September 12 2019
Saturday Afternoon — AJ and Dave are heading out for a short lunch date, their first real break in weeks.
AJ paced the living room while Dave tried to calm her nerves.
AJ (worried)- Are you sure he'll be okay? Mateo's nap schedule's been weird and he might get fussy and—
Martin (cutting her off)-AJ. It's me. I used to keep a Tamagotchi alive for months. I got this.
Dave (smirking)- That's not a great comparison.
Martin (shrugging)-Close enough.
AJ-Okay, okay. Emergency numbers are on the fridge. Pediatrician's number is starred in my phone. His giraffe pacifier is the only one he likes—
Martin (saluting)-Operation Mateo is a go. Leave with confidence, parents.
Dave (grabbing AJ's hand)-Let's go before she unpacks the diaper bag again.
As they leave, Martin turns to Mateo, who's chilling in his baby swing with his big eyes watching everything.
Martin-Alright, little man. It's just us now.
---
**Hour 1: Smooth Sailing**
Martin lays on the floor next to the playmat while Mateo kicks and gurgles.
Martin-You know, I think we're vibing, bro. I might be your favorite uncle for real.
Mateo kicks and lets out a tiny laugh.
Martin (grinning)-That's what I thought.
He pulls out his phone and snaps a photo:
📸 *Caption: "Uncle duties in full effect. He already got jokes."*
---
**Hour 2: Things Fall Apart (A Little)**
Mateo suddenly scrunches his face, and the warning signs are clear: a storm is coming.
Martin (noticing)-Wait... wait—oh no. No no no—
*Cue wailing.*
Martin frantically picks him up, gently rocking side to side.
Martin (panicking)-Yo, what do I do?! Where's the pacifier? The giraffe, the giraffe—WHERE'S THE GIRAFFE?!
He digs through the diaper bag like it's a defuse-the-bomb moment.
Mateo is full-blown crying now.
Martin (talking fast)-It's okay, we're okay, you just miss your mama. I miss her too sometimes. Deep breaths—us, not you.
He finally finds the giraffe pacifier and pops it in.
Mateo silence
Martin-Yo... it worked?
He blinks in shock, then throws a fist in the air.
Martin-UNCLE. MAGIC.
---
**Hour 3: Unexpected Bonding**
Later, Martin lies on the couch with Mateo asleep on his chest, both of them knocked out from sheer emotional exhaustion.
AJ and Dave return quietly. They stop in the doorway, seeing Martin gently snoring, arms protectively around Mateo, who's nuzzled under his chin.
AJ (softly)- Oh my god...
Dave- He survived.
AJ-He did amazing.
She took a photo, whispering to herself:
AJ-He's gonna be Mateo's favorite forever now.
---
Martin Wakes Up
Martin stirred as they gently lifted Mateo off him.
Martin (sleepy)-Wait... he's alive? I did it?
Dave (laughing)-You did more than that. You crushed it.
AJ (smiling)- Thank you for loving him like that.
Martin blinked, then smiled.
Martin-He's easy to love. He's got your heart.
