December 11 2019
7:42 p.m. – Guest Room, Sanchez Home
Lexie sat on the edge of the guest bed in one of AJ's spare T-shirts and a pair of borrowed sweats, staring at her phone. She had several unread texts from Park and Ben, but she ignored them.
Downstairs, she could hear the murmur of AJ and Dave's voices. A soft laugh. Mateo's sleepy babble.
Lexie pulled the blanket tighter around herself.
This house was too... safe. Too quiet. Too kind.
And she didn't know how to exist in that.
---
The Next Morning – Breakfast With the Chaos Crew
December 12 2019
Lexie came downstairs to the smell of abuelita Maria's café de olla, Carla singing in the kitchen, and the low hum of David Sr., reading the paper and Daniel reads he's papering Spanish, Jasmine was at school
It was *a lot.*
Then came *Tony, AJ's older brother, carrying a box of fresh pan dulce. He nodded at Lexie.
Tony - You the intern?
Lexie blinked.
Lexie - Uh. Yes. Lexie.
Tony- Looks like you survived my sister. That's rare.
Lexie half-laughed, awkward.
Lexie - Barely.
Then Mateo was placed in her arms.
By AJ. Lexie froze.
Lexie - Oh—I don't—
She looked around, panicked. "
Lexie - I'm not really—uh, I've never held
AJ -He's just a baby, not a live grenade
AJ said with a tiny smirk.
Mateo blinked up at her, one little fist balled against her shirt, gurgling happily.
Lexie looked like she'd been handed a bomb, but her arms adjusted. Her body softened. And then...
Mateo sneezed on her.
Everyone laughed.
Lexie stared down at the baby.
Lexie -You planned that, didn't you?
---
8:32 a.m. – Coffee on the Back Steps
AJ joined her outside, two mugs in hand.
Lexie was sitting on the back steps, Mateo in a little bouncy chair beside her, kicking wildly.
AJ - You okay?
AJ asked. Lexie nodded. Then hesitated.
Lexie - I didn't grow up like this. People close. Talking over each other. Handing me kids
AJ -Feels foreign?
Lexie-Feels like... a planet I didn't know existed.
AJ sat beside her.
AJ- It's not always this peaceful. But it's real. And you're welcome here.
Lexie looked at her.
Lexie - Why?
AJ smiled- Because someone once made room for me when I didn't think I deserved it. Now it's my turn.
---
9:12 a.m. – Leaving for Work
As AJ packed her bag to head back to the hospital, Lexie stood in the doorway, baby spit-up on her borrowed shirt, her hair a mess, and a pan dulce in one hand.
Mateo giggled at her from the bouncer. She smiled back.
AJ - Want to come with me?
AJ asked, slinging her coat on.
Lexie - To the hospital?
AJ - To *your next lesson*.
Lexie stood straighter.
Lexie -Yes. I do.
Aj - Good. But we're stopping for espresso first. You've been inducted into this family. You'll need the strength.
