November 30 2019
The house had finally gone quiet.
Down the hall, Martin snored. The dishwasher hummed. But in the softly lit mateos room, it was just AJ, Dave, and Mateo.
She sat in the rocking chair by the window, sweater slipping off one shoulder, Mateo nestled against her chest, nursing in soft gulps. His tiny hand clung to her shirt, his breathing slow and rhythmic.
Dave stood at the doorway, quiet.
AJ- You can come in
she said softly.
He walked over, crouched beside her, one arm resting on the armrest. He didn't say anything at first—just watched his son, safe and sleepy, curled into AJ's arms.
Dave - You always look like a storm when you're working
Dave whispered
Dave - But when you're holding him... you're just calm.
AJ chuckled under her breath.
AJ - He's the only one who gets me quiet like this.
Dave brushed a hand gently across Mateo's soft curls.
Dave - That's not true and you suffocating my son with your big ass titties
She chuckled
AJ - he's fine
AJ looked down at him, then at Dave.
AJ -You okay?
He hesitated.
Dave - I've been thinking about Luke
he admitted.
Dave- And everything you've been holding in since the Ron thing. Since long before me.
She didn't flinch. She just kept rocking.
Dave- I didn't know how much you were carrying until this week, And I guess it hit me that... loving you means knowing I'm not the only man who helped you feel safe.
AJ looked down at Mateo, then back at Dave.
Aj- That doesn't make you less. That makes you the one I chose.
Dave's voice cracked a little.
Dave - But are you still choosing me... every day?
She reached out, touched his jaw.
AJ - Yes. Even when I'm exhausted. Even when I'm scared. Even when I see Luke and feel all that history that we have—*I still choose you.*
Mateo shifted, pulling away. AJ gently adjusted, cradling him as he drifted into sleep.
AJ - You didn't just give me a future. You gave me *this*. This family. This safety. This quiet.
Dave kissed her hand.
Dave - I love you
he whispered.
AJ - I know
she replied, smiling softly.
AJ - You're the only person I've ever trusted to see me like this. All of me.
They sat in silence for a moment—her holding Mateo, him holding her.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't dramatic.
But it was *everything*.
