November 28 2019
Maria's House – Late Afternoon
The scent of roast turkey and cinnamon filled the air. Laughter echoed from the kitchen. AJ had Mateo balanced on her hip, the little one dressed in a soft tan sweater with "My First Thanksgiving" stitched across the front.
His curls were extra wild today. His cheeks were sticky from candied yams.
Mateo squealed when Maria came by with a spoonful of arroz con leche.
AJ -Mi niño lindo
she cooed.
Aj - You eat like your mamá.
AJ chuckled, brushing a kiss to his forehead.
Dave came up behind her, hands warm on her shoulders.
Dave He's loving this chaos.
Just wait 'til the pie comes out
AJ murmured.
---
The door creaked open. Luke stepped in, fresh off his final security shift. Still in uniform. Tired eyes, but present.
Luke Sorry I'm late,
he said, pulling off his jacket.
Like - There was traffic on the way here and I didn't want to come empty handed
Maria, from the kitchen, shouted,
Maria - oh you didn't have to
Luke laugh- it's the least that I can do ma'am m
AJ turned, her eyes immediately softening.
Aj - You made it.
He nodded.
Luke -Wouldn't miss it. Mr Daniel i see you watch the came
Daniel - of course we just have to see who gonna win the giants or the chiefs
Mateo spotted him and instantly reached his arms out—"
Luke grinned.- Well, I guess someone missed me.
---
Luke took Mateo into his arms, lifting him easily. The baby wrapped his hands around Luke's neck, content.
AJ watched them with something unreadable in her eyes.
AJ - Luke You hungry?
she asked. Luke glanced at Mateo.
Luke- I think this guy's gonna eat for me.
Dave - He already had three servings of mashed potatoes,
Dave added, smirking. Luke laughed.
Luke - That's my dude.
They moved into the living room, Luke sitting cross-legged on the floor with Mateo in his lap, spoon-feeding him small bites of pumpkin pie.
No cameras. No fanfare.
Just quiet love.
Tony, Daniel , Maria, Jasmine and Martin were in full storytelling mode around the table. Carla and David Sr. shared old baby photos of Dave and teased AJ about wedding plans.
But it was Luke—quietly keeping Mateo laughing on the floor, playing peek-a-boo with a napkin—who caught AJ's eye over and over again.
Later, when the lights dimmed and the house quieted, AJ found herself standing by the doorway, watching Luke tuck Mateo into a playpen in the corner.
AJ -You're good with him
she said softly. Luke didn't turn around.
Luke - He's easy to love.
She smiled, then whispered,
AJ - Thanks for being here.
Luke finally looked at her.
Luke - Always and thank you for inviting me it was just going to be me and my tv for thanksgiving.
---
### **Closing Lines**
As the night wound down and family began to leave, Maria handed Luke a plate of leftovers wrapped in foil.
Maria - For your shift tomorrow
she said with a wink. Luke took it, then leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Luke -Gracias, señora.
Before he walked out the door, he turned one last time—just as Mateo,half-asleep
Luke smiled- Night, little man.
And then he was gone.
Not part of the family picture... but always in the frame.
