April 12 2021
The interns weren't supposed to be anywhere near AJ's office. But after rounds, Simone lingered in the hallway, peeking through the cracked door.
What she saw made her jaw drop.
AJ Brewster—the terrifying, no-nonsense head of Neuro—was sitting at her desk with a toddler curled up against her chest. She wasn't charting, wasn't scowling. She was humming softly, brushing a hand through his curls as he slept.
Simone gasped.
Simone - Oh my god, he's adorable.
The others—Jackson, Luca, Parker, and Gabriel—quickly crowded behind her to peek.
---
Simone, braver than the rest, knocked lightly.
Simone - Dr. Brewster?
AJ's head snapped up, her mask of authority sliding back on.
AJ - Why are you lurking outside my door?
Simone - We weren't lurking
Simone blurted, cheeks flushing.
Simone - We just... noticed you had company. He looks so much like you
AJ hesitated, then gave a curt nod.
AJ - say hello Mateo.
Mateo - hi
He giggled. Simone's eyes lit up.
Simone -He's beautiful. Um... would it be totally unprofessional if I asked to hold him?
The other interns stared at her like she'd lost her mind.
AJ blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, she looked ready to snap. But then she saw Simone's earnest expression—and against her better judgment, she nodded.
Simone carefully stepped in, lifting Mateo into her arms. The toddler stirred, blinking sleepily, then giggled as Simone bounced him gently.
The room softened. AJ wasn't the terrifying Medusa anymore—she was a mother.
---
Gabriel lingered at the back, guilt heavy in his chest. Finally, he cleared his throat.
Gabriel - Dr. Brewster
he started awkwardly.
Gabriel - I... I need to say something.
AJ raised a brow.
AJ - This should be good.
He swallowed.
Gabriel- What I said about you—that you were a bitch, that you didn't have emotions—I was wrong. Completely. And it was cruel. I should never talk about women like that. About anyone like that. I was frustrated, and I lashed out, but... it was inexcusable.
The room went still. Simone hugged Mateo closer, watching carefully.
AJ's eyes narrowed, studying him. Then, after a long pause, she said quietly,
AJ - You're right. It was inexcusable.
Gabriel's shoulders sagged.
AJ - But
AJ continued
AJ - the fact that you can own it now means maybe you'll grow into the doctor I need you to be.
Gabriel nodded quickly.
Gabriel - I will. I promise.
AJ didn't smile. But for once, her gaze softened.
---
When Simone handed Mateo back, the interns exchanged glances. They'd seen a side of AJ Brewster no one else had—the side that hummed lullabies, the side that loved fiercely, the side that bled just like anyone else.
And for the first time, they didn't see her as just their terrifying chief. They saw her as human.
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