November 26 2020
The city was cold, but the Brewster apartment was warm, buzzing with voices, laughter, and the smells of roasted turkey and arroz con gandules.
AJ had insisted — none of her interns would spend Thanksgiving alone. "Work is family," she'd said in that commanding tone that made it impossible to argue. But now, standing in her home, Gabriel realized AJ was more than just the steely head of Neuro. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother — all the parts of her life he'd never been allowed to see.
Maria -Come in, come in!
AJ's grandmother Maria waved them toward the long dining table, her Dominican accent wrapping every word like a hug. Daniel, her abuelo, followed behind with a smile, already offering drinks.
Simone whispered
Simone -Okay, I did *not* expect Medusa to have such a cozy grandma. She's adorable."
Camilla - Don't call her that here
Camilla hissed.
In the kitchen, Carla and David Sr. — Dave's parents — worked alongside AJ, sliding dishes into place. Dave himself was uncorking wine, sleeves rolled up, looking every bit the perfect husband.
And then the siblings appeared.
Tony, older than AJ, clapped Gabriel on the back like they'd been friends for years.
Tony - You're the intern, huh? Brave kid. She used to boss *me* around too.
Martin, AJ's college-age brother, was setting out extra chairs, teasing Jasmine, the youngest, who was running around with boundless energy.
Jasmine froze mid-sprint when she spotted Gabriel's sister, Ana, standing nervously beside him. Ana was only eleven, clutching the strap of her backpack like a shield.
Jasmine -Hi
Jasmine said brightly.
Jasmine - Wanna sit with me? I'm stuck at the kids' table.
Ana's face lit up with relief.
Ana-Sure.
The two disappeared toward the corner, already chatting about favorite shows.
Gabriel exhaled slowly. He hadn't realized how much it mattered that Ana felt comfortable here — that she wasn't just the tagalong little sister while he played doctor.
At the head of the table, AJ carried out Mateo, now dressed in tiny suspenders, giggling as she bounced him on her hip. The whole family cheered when he banged his little fist against the table like he was part of the toast.
AJ was laughing — a real laugh, not the polite half-smile she wore at work. She leaned against Dave, whispered something in his ear, and he kissed her temple without hesitation.
Gabriel's chest tightened.
Camilla, of course, noticed. She slid into the chair beside him, smirking.
Camilla- Careful, golden boy. You're staring again.
Gabriel - Camilla—
he whispered sharply.
Simone, across the table, raised an eyebrow knowingly.
Simone - Medusa strikes again.
Jasmine - Medusa?
Jasmine piped up from the kids' table, overhearing.
Simone almost choked.
Simone - Uh—nothing! It's... a hospital joke.
AJ looked over, brow arched.
AJ - What's a hospital joke?
Everyone froze.
Parker jumped in, waving his fork.
Parker - Uh... just that... your job turns people to stone sometimes.
AJ narrowed her eyes at her interns, but then Mateo let out a squeal and stole her attention again.
Dinner went on, full of stories — Maria telling old Dominican folktales, Daniel recalling how AJ had taken apart radios as a child, Tony embarrassing her with teenage stories, Martin cracking jokes, Jasmine and Ana giggling in their own corner.
Gabriel sat there, surrounded by the warmth of AJ's family, and felt something he hadn't felt in years: belonging.
But at the same time, it hurt. Because no matter how much he admired her brilliance, no matter how much his heart raced when she smiled...
AJ Brewster's world was already full.
A husband. A son. A family.
And Gabriel Luiz was just an intern with a crush, watching from the edge of the table.
