August 20 2020
It was late afternoon, and golden sunlight poured through the hospital windows.
AJ was still in her surgical scrubs, slightly wrinkled and smelling like antiseptic and adrenaline. The successful trauma surgery had left her both buzzing and bone-tired.
She stepped into the family room on the pediatric floor — a quiet, cozy space Luke had secured for them to reunite post-surgery. Dave stood by the window with Mateo, who was playing with a soft stuffed bear that AJ had brought back from Bora Bora.
She paused in the doorway, unseen for a second.
Mateo was sitting on the low couch, sturdy now at nearly 2 years old, babbling to the bear and patting its face like he was diagnosing it.
Dave turned when he saw her.
Dave -Hey, doctor of the year. Your patient wants a second opinion.
AJ chuckled softly and crossed the room.
AJ - You two causing trouble without me?
Mateo looked up at the sound of her voice.
He stared at her.
Blinking.
Processing.
And then, with a huge grin breaking across his face—
Mateo -Hi... Mama!
AJ froze.
She blinked, sure she had misheard him, but Dave's jaw dropped too.
AJ - Say that again
she whispered, crouching to his level.
Mateo giggled, his little hands reaching for her.
Mateo - Hi... Mama!
She scooped him into her arms, burying her face into his neck, overwhelmed.
AJ - You said it
she whispered.
AJ -You really said it.
Dave - That's not just a babble, right?
Dave asked, stunned.
Dave - That's an actual word?
AJ nodded, her voice thick.
AJ - That's my name.
---
MOMENTS LATER
Luke stepped quietly into the doorway, stopping when he saw AJ cradling Mateo, both of them glowing in the golden light.
Luke-Everything okay?
he asked gently.
AJ turned, eyes bright with tears, her arms full of everything she'd ever fought for.
AJ-He said his first word
she whispered.
AJ- He said 'mama.'
Luke smiled — a rare, soft smile.
Luke -Of course he did.
Mateo waved at him with a big grin.
Mateo - Hi, Mama!
he repeated like it was a magic spell.
Dave laughed and pulled them both into his arms.
Dave - Kid's got timing. He waited until you were done saving someone.
AJ - He always waits for me
AJ murmured.
Aj - Just like I'll always come back to him.
