November 20 2019
AJ & Dave's Living Room | 11:42 AM
The cartoons on the TV were too loud, and the toddler on the couch wasn't interested in them.
Mateo squirmed in Dave's lap, bundled in his dino blanket, still a little tired but already bored of being a patient.
Dave murmured- Buddy
trying to keep him still as he adjusted the cold compress under his little beanie.
Dave - That brain of yours just got a tune-up. You gotta chill.
Mateo giggled and wiggled anyway.
Dave smiled despite himself.
Then—**the cavalry arrived**.
---
Kitchen – Moments Later**
Carla, soft-voiced and steady, came in carrying a container of soup. Maria, wearing her favorite blue shawl and sensible heels, followed close behind with a bag of plantains, a small jar of vapor rub, and zero patience for excuses.
Carla- We're not here to hover
Carla said sweetly.
Maria We're here to *take over*
Dave didn't even argue.
Dave -Thank God.
---
The Couch Turns Into a Nest
Carla settled on the floor with Mateo, pulling out board books and slowly narrating stories with her soft Tennessee twang. Mateo was half-listening, half-snacking on mango slices she'd cut into tiny stars.
Maria bustled around the living room, fluffing pillows, straightening the playmat, adjusting the humidifier like she was leading an ICU team of her own.
Dave finally collapsed into a nearby chair, watching the two women with quiet awe.
Dave - You both doing okay?
Carla smiled up at him.
Carla- We've raised a few babies between us.
Maria grunted.
Maria - You included.
---
Kitchen – Dave Has a Moment
While Mateo napped and the women cleaned up lunch, Dave stood at the sink, staring out the window. The silence hit him. Not hospital silence—but *home silence*.
Still, it made him anxious.
Carla stepped up beside him.
Carla - It's okay to breathe, you know.
Dave- I know
he said quietly.
Dave-Just... I don't want to miss anything. He twitches in his sleep and I start checking vitals.
Carla laid a gentle hand on his back.
Carla - He's here. He's okay. And you're doing more than enough.
Dave swallowed hard.
Dave - I don't know how AJ does this and then walks into brain surgery like nothing happened.
Maria, overhearing from behind, walked up and tapped his shoulder with a wooden spoon.
Maria -She doesn't
Maria said firmly.
Maria -She carries every second of it with her. She just walks anyway
Dave blinked. Then nodded, eyes stinging.
---
Later That Afternoon – Mateo Wakes Up
Maria was humming again, rocking gently in the chair beside the couch. Carla had dozed off on the rug, book in hand.
Mateo stirred, his small fingers reaching up.
Dave knelt beside him.
Dave - Mama will be back soon. She's at work, saving people. Like the doctors who helped you.
---
Outside, the world was still loud. Fast. Uncertain.
But in this house—**three generations held one little boy in absolute safety**.
And for the first time since the hospital, Dave believed it was going to be okay.
