September 8 2020
HOSPITAL DAYCARE, MID-MORNING
The hum of monitors and the distant echo of intercom pages barely reached the hospital's cozy daycare wing. Inside the glassed-in toddler room, AJ Brewster leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes fixed on one little boy.
Mateo.
1 year old. Curious, bright-eyed, babbling in a mix of squeals and half-formed syllables. He was kneeling by a low bookshelf, pounding his palms against a soft wooden block.
Dave knelt beside him, holding out a little plush elephant.
Dave - C'mon, buddy
Dave coaxed with a soft grin.
Dave - You gonna take that step today? You got this.
AJ exhaled, her forehead creasing slightly.
AJ -He's late
she murmured.
Dave- He's not late
Dave replied.
Dave - He's just... selective.
AJ - Selective doesn't fly in neurodevelopment, David
she muttered.
AJ - I've seen the charts. We did the scans. His tone is fine, but—
Dave- He's fine
Dave cut in gently.
Dave - You're just used to solving every crisis with a scalpel. This isn't a surgery, AJ. It's a baby.
She gave him a withering look, but it softened quickly.
AJ - He's been pulling up, cruising. But he won't let go. Not yet.
Dave leaned back on his heels, just watching Mateo grip the side of a play table with determination.
Dave - You know... maybe he's just waiting for the right audience.
---
DAYCARE WINDOW, MINUTES LATER
Camilla -Well well,"
came a voice from behind them.
Camilla- Look at the Brewsters on a baby stakeout.
AJ turned to see Camilla, her best friend since med school, dressed in her OB coat and holding a coffee in each hand.
Camilla - Is this what the world-renowned Dr. AJ Brewster does now?
Camilla teased.
Camilla - Watches a baby wobble?
AJ - My baby
AJ deadpanned.
AJ - And he's not wobbling. He's *calculating.*
Camilla handed her the coffee and joined her by the glass.
Dave - He's almost there.
Dave nodded.
Dave - AJ thinks we need to call in PT.
Camilla - AJ thinks too much
Camilla said without missing a beat.
Camilla - Hey—Ssh
Camilla said suddenly, pointing.
Camilla- Look.
---
INSIDE THE ROOM
Mateo had let go.
Just for a second.
One hand released the table, then the other. His little legs quivered beneath him. Wide brown eyes blinked at the empty space between him and Dave.
He didn't fall.
He took a step.
Then another.
AJ - Oh my God
AJ whispered. Dave was frozen, eyes wide, arms out.
Mateo giggled — then collapsed into his father's arms.
Dave- You saw that, right?
Dave laughed, eyes misting.
Dave - That *counts*!
AJ turned to Camilla, stunned.
AJ - Did you see—?
Camilla - Girl, I *live* in labor and delivery. And that just beat every birth I've seen this month.
AJ was already on the floor, scooping Mateo into her arms, pressing kisses all over his soft hair and chubby cheeks.
AJ - You waited until I was watching. You brilliant little thing.
Mateo squealed in delight, proudly slapping his feet against her knees.
Dave looked at Camilla, grinning.
Dave-You think we're getting soft?
> "No," Camilla said, smiling. "I think you're getting better."
---
### **SCENE — LATER THAT DAY, AJ'S OFFICE**
There was a picture now, printed and pinned next to her OR schedule. Mateo's first steps, caught on the daycare's internal camera. AJ Brewster stared at it for a long time between consults.
And for the first time all day...
She didn't mind being interrupted.
---
**End of Chapter**
Would you like to follow with:
* 👩⚕️ A heart-to-heart between AJ and Camilla about motherhood and medicine
* 🔬 The interns reacting to the video (and how Parker secretly cried)
* 📋 AJ struggling to balance a tough surgical case while thinking about Mateo walking
Let me know what you'd like next!
