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Jo’s breath hitched the moment they stepped inside the store. Something felt off, she just couldn’t point out what. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting long shadows on the sparse shelves. Her pulse throbbed in her ears, a mix of unease and an inexplicable sense of foreboding. Lucas was beside her, calm on their mission to get ice for the hospital. Then, suddenly, they hear the front door of the store. Loud voices.
A hooded and masked man, wild-eyed and desperate, brandishing a gun. His voice was harsh, demanding. “Open the register. Now!”
Jo’s stomach clenched. The cashier, a woman with fire in her eyes, refused to comply. Words were exchanged, sharp and tense. Jo’s heart hammered as she watched the tension escalate. Then…
A gunshot ripped through the air.
The cashier screamed, clutching her bleeding arm. Jo’s breath caught in her throat. Panic surged, her mind spinning with raw emotion. Fear, helplessness but also something stirring inside her. She was a doctor. She had to help. She took an oath.
But her hands trembled, her body flooded with adrenaline and hormones. Pregnancy making every feeling sharper, every thought louder. So she moved.
Lucas reached for her arm, trying to pull her back. But Jo shook him off. She couldn’t stand still. Not now. Not when someone was hurt.
The man’s gun immediately swung towards her. Her heart slammed against her ribs. She turned away, breath shallow, mind racing for a way out. Then, on impulse, she blurted, “I’m doctor Jo Wilson. I’m a mom to a little three year old girl and I’m sixteen weeks pregnant with twins. I’m an OB and general surgeon from Grey Sloan. Please let me help Gladice. She’s bleeding. She’s losing too much blood.”
Hoping this would stop him. Change his mind. There was a flicker of hesitation in the man’s eyes. Jo dared to hope.
But then suddenly, a movement. A man’s figure jumping between Jo and the gunman. A shot. And the sound of someone falling.
Jo spun around just in time to see the gunman escape but her eyes kept moving.
There, on the floor in front of her, a man she never expected to see like this. Alex. Blood started to pool beneath him, dark and spreading too quickly. His face pale but eyes alive, meeting hers.
She immediately dropped to her knees beside him, hands pressed desperately against the wound in his abdomen. Her fingers trembled as she tried to stem the bleeding.
“Lucas! Call an ambulance! Now! And call Warren, we need them ready when we arrive.” Her voice cracked but carried the command.
Alex’s eyelids fluttered open again. A weak, crooked smile tugged at his lips.
“Sorry we have to meet like this again.”
Jo’s throat tightened. Tears blurred her vision. “Shut up. Not here. Not now. I’ll scream at you later. Right now, focus. We have to keep you alive.”
His voice was faint but teasing. “Your hair looks beautiful.”
She blinked back a tear. “Could you please stop talking?”
He chuckled softly, pain flickering in his eyes as they draw to her stomach. “I always knew you’d look great with a bump. Looks cute on you. Suits you. That’s why I wanted to knock you up for so long.”
Jo swallowed hard, heart breaking with every word. “Alex…”
He pressed on, delirious but clear. “I wanted a little one who looked just like you, with maybe a little bit of me. I’d have shown them off, bragged about all the cool things they did. They would have been just as smart as their mom.”
She couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. The future he had dreamed of. The family they once had imagined.
“Can I touch it?” His voice was softer now. He still looks at her belly, then back to her face. “Hey, you’re crying.” He reached up, wiping her tears with a shaky hand. “I’m the one dying, but at least I know you’re safe. Both of you.”
Jo’s fingers trembled on this chest as he touched her belly, feeling the tiny lives inside. “Three.”
He smiled faintly. “I knew it. Something always told me we’d end up with twins. And we did. Just not the way I thought.” A weak chuckle escaped him.
More tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I know,” she whispered.
“Do you love him? Their dad?”
Jo nodded silently, unable to voice the truth while the man she had once called her soulmate was literally dying under her hands.
“Happy for you. You deserve it after I so royally fucked it up.”
“Save your energy.”
He sighed, voice barely above a whisper. “Last time I was shot, I hallucinated about my ex-wife. This time, I’m glad she’s here and I’m not just imagining you. Sorry we have to meet like this again. Sorry for everything. I regret how I left you. I’ve been miserable every day since. But at least I can die happy now.” His eyes closed briefly. “Always wanted to die in your arms.”
Jo’s scream tore from her throat. “Where the hell is that ambulance?”
“Two minutes out,” Lucas called, rifling through the poorly stocked first aid kit he found, looking for anything that could save them time.
“You’re not dying, Alex. I still need to scream at you.”
“Do it now, princess. I don’t think I’ll make it…”
“No. No, no, no. You’re not dying. Not on my watch.” She pressed harder, desperation fueling her strength.
“Don’t exhaust yourself, princess.”
“I’m not.”
He chuckled weakly. “Stubborn as always. Knew you wouldn’t slow down once you’re pregnant. Always imagined you working till your due date.”
The sirens grew louder, hope piercing the chaos.
“Before they get here and take me away from you, I need you to know I never stopped loving you, Jo. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you for loving me. I’m sorry it ended the way it did. I’m sorry for leaving, princess. You deserved better. I hope those babies bring you so much joy.” His voice faded. “Don’t miss me too much once I’m gone for good.”
“Stop saying you’re dying. You’re not. You have kids to live for.”
“I love you, princess.”
“I love you, too.”
“Ma’am, please move back so we can examine him.”
Jo’s voice was fierce. “I’m literally holding all his remaining blood inside of him. I’m not moving until someone has their hands over mine.”
“Ma’am, you’re not wearing gloves. Please move and let us work.”
“It’s not ma’am. It’s doctor. Doctor Jo Wilson from Grey Sloan. Move faster!”
“She had plenty of my bodily fluids on and in her. I wouldn’t be concerned.”
“Alex!”
He chuckled, then groaned in pain.
“Don’t laugh.”
“Okay, Doctor Wilson, you can move your hands now.”
She slowly withdrew, eyes never leaving his.
“Don’t leave, princess.”
“I’m not.”
He reached for her hand. She held it tight as the paramedics swarmed around them.
—
The ambulance jolted as it sped through the city streets, sirens wailing, lights flashing. Jo stayed glued to Alex’s side, her hands never leaving his. Every bump, every turn sent a fresh wave of fear crashing through her. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm, to be the steady presence he needed.
At Grey Sloan, the chaos of the emergency room swallowed them whole. Nurses and doctors rushed Alex inside, voices sharp but focused. Jo followed as far as they’d let her, heart pounding in her chest. She stood just outside the trauma room doors, watching them work on Alex’s almost lifeless body, the reality crashing down on her like a tidal wave.
Then, without warning, a sharp cramp seized her abdomen. Her breath caught as warm fluid trickled down her leg.
Dr. Bailey appeared beside her, her calm authority grounding Jo’s spiraling panic. Gently, she helped her, guiding her to a nearby bed.
“I… I’m pregnant.”
“Okay, Jo, let’s make sure you’re fine too,” Bailey said, her voice steady but kind as she rolled the ultrasound machine closer and began her exam.
Jo nodded, eyes fixed on the ultrasound screen as the image flickered to life.
“The placenta looks great, no abruption. And we have a strong heartbeat, right there.” Bailey assures her even though she can see it all herself.
“What about the other?” Jo asked, hope and fear warring in her voice.
“There’s another one?” Bailey raised an eyebrow.
Jo’s heart leaped as she nodded.
“Let me see. There it is. Beautiful.” Bailey smiles before she asks more seriously. “It’s just those two, right?”
“Yes as far as I’m aware.” A small smile lifted Jo’s lips, but it faded instantly when her gaze caught Alex being rushed into the elevator. Winston almost on top of him, giving chest compressions, urgency etched into every movement.
“Aaahhhg.” Jo gasped, clutching her stomach as another cramp hit.
“Okay, let’s get you to OB,” Bailey said gently, steadying her.
Jo’s mind spun, torn between the fear for her babies and for Alex. He had literally saved her life… and theirs. If he hadn’t put himself between her and that bullet, it would have probably hit her belly and the lives inside her.
“Jo, you need to try and calm down a little,” Bailey urged.
Jo shook her head, voice trembling. “I can’t until I know everything is okay.”
“That’s understandable,” Bailey replied softly, “but your babies are going to be fine.”
Jo’s eyes filled with tears. “I need someone to tell me how Alex is.”
“Jo, he’s in good hands.”
“He was shot, Bailey. Because of me. He put himself between me and that gun. He saved me and my babies. I need to know he’s going to be okay. If he dies…” Her voice cracked. “I don’t think I could ever forgive myself. A tiny piece of me will die with him. And I don’t know if my mental health is strong enough for that this time.”
Silent tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Oh my God, Jo.” Link appeared beside her, concern etched deep in his features.
“You need to go...”
“What? I’m not going to leave you.”
“I need you to go and find out how Alex is.”
“Alex is here?”
“He saved me... us.” Jo placed a trembling hand on her bump. “I need to know he’s alive.”
“Jo... I…”
“If you don’t go find something out,” she said fiercely, “I will do it myself.”
Link nodded, swallowing hard. “Okay. Okay, I’ll try my best.”
“Now you really need to try and calm down a little,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “Let’s take some deep breaths.”
Together, they inhaled slowly. One breath, two breaths. Trying to steady the storm raging inside Jo’s head.
—
Carina's eyes were gentle but focused as she examined Jo.
“Jo, with all the stress and everything, your cervix has already opened about 18 millimeters. I would recommend a cerclage to help support this pregnancy and keep it healthy.”
Jo nodded firmly. “Yes. Okay, let’s do it.”
Just as Carina was about to begin, Jo’s voice rang out, “Can someone please find Link?”
“Do you want him with you during the procedure?” Carina asks gently as she looks at her protegee.
Jo shook her head. “No. I need to know if Alex is alive.”
“Oh, your ex-husband Alex?”
“He literally caught a bullet for me today.”
“Is that an American idiom?”
“Yeah, but he actually caught the bullet for me. He threw himself between me and that gun and got shot.”
Carina smiled knowingly. “Wow.”
At that moment, Jules entered the room.
“Dr. Wilson, Dr. Hunt sent me to let you know that Dr. Karev is alive and currently in surgery. Also, Dr. Karev wanted me to tell you and I quote ‘Don’t worry too much, princess.’”
Jo smiled softly. “Thank you, Millin.”
“That was a lot of doctors in one sentence,” Carina joked. “You need more time. Or can we start now?”
“We can start.” Jo took a deep breath and laid back. Trying to calm herself by staring at the white spackled ceiling.
“Was princess his nickname for you?” Carina's voice cuts through Jo's thoughts.
“It was. At first, it was to tease me, but over time it became… something else.” Jo swallowed, tears starting to well in her eyes. “I still hate it when he called me that, but also…” She exhales, holding back tears again, “It’s so stupid.”
“It’s not.” Carina said softly.
“I never had a nickname growing up. I was just Brooke. Everyone called me that, a name I had no connection to. Someone at that fire station, where I was left, gave me that name. I always hated it. Then I became Brooke Stadler, which was even worse.” Jo took a breath. “When I left and changed my name, I wanted one with an obvious nickname. I loved when people called me Jo. Then this douchebag attending showed up and started calling me princess. I hated it, but I loved it.”
“He was the first to give you a nickname despite your already existing one.” Carina nods.
“Yeah. He had a lot of new nicknames for me, and after he left, I was just Jo again.”
“But now you have a little blonde girl calling you the best nickname in the world.”
“Yeah. She calls me all sorts of names. Mom, mommy, moms, mom mom. Recently, she started calling me ‘moom’ because I call her ‘Moon,’ so she calls me ‘moom.’”
They both laughed softly.
“He’s the reason I have her…”
“How so?”
“When he left, he left me his shares of the hospital, which I sold to have the money to fight for Luna and make her mine.”
“So he really is your knight in shining armor?”
“Yeah.” Jo smiled softly. “Also, great use of an American idiom.”
“My wife’s gonna be so proud.”
“Oh, I bet.” Jo chuckled.
She fell silent.
“Okay, we’re done.”
That’s when the tears finally started to fall, all the emotions of the day crashing down on Jo at once.
“Hey.”
“I guess the whole day is just catching up with me.” Carina hugged her gently. “I was held at gunpoint. I almost died today. My ex-husband, who abandoned me, came back and saved my life. I almost lost my babies. My ex-husband almost died. I just…” Her voice broke. “I’m sorry.”
“No. You’re allowed to feel this. You’ve been through so much today.”
“Let’s get you to a room so you can relax a little.”
Jo nodded gratefully.
“Can someone…”
“I’ll make sure Dr. Millin knows where to find you for updates.”
“Thank you, Carina.”
—
Jo lays in the sterile hospital bed, the rhythmic beep of the monitors a hollow echo against the pounding in her chest. She was physically stable, but inside, her mind was a tempest. Millen had updated her two hours ago when Alex got out of surgery. He was alive. But alive still felt too fragile.
Just four hours ago, he was lying there, almost bleeding out under her hands. The image was seared into her memory, raw and relentless. Every detail haunted her. The slick warmth of his blood, the desperate pulse beneath her fingers fading, the stubborn refusal to shut his mouth just for one second.
And now? She gripped the thin hospital sheet as if it could anchor her thoughts. Her heart ached not just for him, but for the babies growing inside her, the tiny lives she was trying to hold it together for.
She was exhausted, but when she closed her eyes, the images of the day just kept replaying. The store, the gun, his blood. The sterile chaos of the ER, the frantic hands of surgeons, the sight of him on that gurney with Indugu on top of him while he flatlined. She swallowed hard, trying to push the images away, but they seemed to stick.
Then the door creaked open and Millin entered, a wheelchair in hand.
“I got the order to take you on a little ride to a different floor,” Millin said softly. “Someone was just moved from the ICU to the normal floor.”
Jo’s lips curved into a fragile smile. Moving meant progress. Slowly, carefully, she sat up and lowered herself into the wheelchair, Jules steadying her.
As they wheeled down the hall, Jo’s mind was a jumble of relief and fear until they stopped outside Alex’s room. The door opened and there he was. Awake, breathing, alive.
“Hi, beautiful,” Alex’s voice was rough but unmistakably his.
Jo’s breath caught, tears prickling behind her eyes again. “You scared me to death.”
“Same,” he whispered, a weak smile flickering.
Instinctively, she hit him lightly on the arm. “Auu, stop hitting me. I was literally dead for twenty minutes.”
“Happy you’re back,” she breathed.
Her eyes flicked to his gaze, searching for the man she once loved beneath the exhaustion and pain.
“Why are you in a hospital gown?” Alex asked, a serious note creeping in.
Jo’s voice trembled. “I was bleeding and having contractions.”
His face immediately tightened. “Are you okay? Did something happen to your babies? Are they okay?”
“No. Yeah, we’re fine. I had a cerclage.”
“Were you dilating from the stress?”
“Yeah.”
They shared a bitter chuckle. “We both had a very crappy day today.”
“Yeah.” Jo rested her head on his arm, needing to feel his warmth, his presence.
They sat in a fragile silence, the kind that only two people who practiced it for years can share. Alex’s fingers began to stroke her hair, slow and soothing. A habit he hasn’t seemed to have forgotten.
“I’ll fall asleep if you keep going,” she murmured.
“You need sleep,” he said softly. “I know you haven’t relaxed for one second today.”
Jo looked up at him, the weight of the day pressing down on her. Slowly, she shifted, climbing into bed beside him. He pulled the blanket over them, a small sanctuary from the chaos outside.
“Won’t your boyfriend get a heart attack when he finds your room empty?” Alex teased.
Jo smiled faintly. “I haven’t seen him since I sent him looking for an update on you.”
“He wasn’t with you during your procedure?” Alex’s voice held surprise but also… anger.
“I had Carina there.”
“That’s not the same, Jo.”
“I know. Let him have a little heart attack. Maybe it’ll teach him a lesson.”
Alex chuckled. “Oh, I can tell you one or two things about those lessons.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. Never get your wife all hot and ready to then leave for work.”
“One of your most important lessons,” Jo teased, a small spark of humor breaking through.
“I know.” He chuckled again. “Also never decide that your best friend or any friend can come and live with you, without talking to your girlfriend first.”
“Oh yeah.”
He continued, “Never leave your wife with a letter and ignore her texts and calls. It will ruin your life.”
“You had your reasons.”
“I still should have called or talked to you. The way I left was not fair at all. I should have talked to you.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
“You know I’m very sorry how everything went down, right?”
“I know.” Her voice is soft but also filled with exhaustion, “Now stroke my hair. Someone told me to relax and that topic is not relaxing at all.”
“Sorry.”
“You said that before.”
Alex’s fingers returned to her hair, gentle and steady.
“Are you comfortable?”
Jo nodded, her eyes closing as exhaustion finally claimed her. In the quiet of the hospital room, two broken souls found a fragile peace in each other again. If only for a moment.
—
The hospital room was quiet, the fragile peace between Jo and Alex holding them. But it was gone as soon as the door bursted open and Link dashed in.
“Jo, what the fuck. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Jo’s eyes snapped open. She glanced at the clock beside the door as she sat up carefully, voice sharp with a mix of exhaustion and disbelief. “Only took you four hours to find me.”
Link’s breath was ragged, his face tense. “I got pulled into a surgery…”
“Sure,” Jo cut in, her tone icy.
“Will you let me talk?” His voice rose, the tension in the room thickening instantly.
Alex’s gaze hardened. “Listen, man, you either calm down real quick or you’ll have to leave my room.”
Link ignored him, his eyes fixed on Jo. “What are you even doing in his bed?”
Jo’s heart clenched. The question was a dagger wrapped in accusation. But it also let her blood boil.
“Jo, how are you? How did the presitor go? How are the babies? Are you in pain? I’m sorry I was gone for so long without saying anything.” Her voice cracked, vulnerability bleeding through the anger. “All of those are normal things a person would ask or say to their partner.”
His eyes narrowed. “I would, but what am I supposed to think when I find my girlfriend cuddling with her ex-husband?”
But Jo’s voice was calm, “He saved our lives.”
Link’s frustration boiled over, his voice nearly a scream. “A normal person would say thank you and leave, not cuddle up with their ex and take a nap together.”
Alex immediately interrupts, voice steady but with an edge that brooked no argument. “I’m saying this one last time, Lincoln. Either calm the fuck down or leave this room right now.”
Link only laughed bitterly. “And leave her here with you? Yeah, that’s exactly what you would want. I’m taking her back to her room now.” He shoved the wheelchair closer and grabbed Jo’s arm.
Before the situation could spiral further, security entered the room and quickly escorted Link out. The door closed with a definitive click.
Alex watched Jo’s face carefully. The look she gave him was one he hadn’t seen since Paul had wandered these hospital halls. Haunted, distant. He knew instantly she was having flashbacks of that day and even worse.
Without hesitation, he pulled her close again. Her body trembled as silent tears spilled down her cheeks.
Safe in his arms she barely registered when Alex called a nurse to page Carina DeLuca. Only when Alex gently urged her to take a few deep breaths did she notice the other doctor wheeling in a heart monitor and fetal heart monitor.
“Jo, bella, can I connect you to these so we make sure you and your babies are safe?” Carina’s voice was soft, steady.
Jo nodded, letting Carina attach the machines.
Her mentor studied the monitors. “Okay, babies’ heartbeats look good. Yours is a little elevated. I really need you to try and relax now, si?”
Jo nodded again, swallowing the lump in her throat.
Alex still watching her, awe and tenderness mingling in his gaze.
“Would you be more comfortable in your room?” he asked gently.
“No, I’m staying here.”
“Jo…”
“No, Alex… I can’t.” Tears gathered again, threatening to spill.
“Okay, deep breaths, bella. If we push a second bed in here, can you promise me to relax and take it very easy for the rest of the day?”
“Yes.”
Minutes later two nurses wheeled a second bed into the room, the space thankfully large enough. They helped Jo settle in with all the wires connecting her to the monitors.
She thanked the nurses quietly and turned to watch Alex. Their eyes met, unspoken understanding passing between them.
“You have names for them?” Alex asked softly.
Jo smiled faintly. “I’m sixteen weeks.”
“So?”
“Let’s say I have ideas. I want them to be short and meaningful.”
Alex grinned. “I suggest Alex.”
She laughed, the sound light and real. “Of course you do.”
“It’s a great name for either gender.”
Jo teased back, “Yeah, I remember you like chicks with boys’ names.”
“Do you know what you’re having?”
“Like I said, I’m sixteen weeks.”
“I heard moms have this special feeling.”
“I really don’t.” Jo’s voice softened. “I always thought I was a boys’ mom. Turns out I was wrong.”
Alex looked at her, confused.
“I have a little girl, Luna.”
“You’re a mom?”
Jo nodded, eyes distant. “She’s three and my whole world.”
“Do you have a picture of her?”
“I left my phone in my room.”
Alex hesitated, voice barely a whisper. “Is she… were you… were you pregnant when I left?”
Jo shook her head. “No, I adopted her. Her mom was my patient. When she died, I decided to adopt Luna.”
“Luna.” Alex repeated the name softly.
“She grew on her mom’s liver. She was as big as my hand when we got her out at twenty-five weeks.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “Wow. She grew outside of her mom’s uterus.”
Jo nodded. “Yeah. An abdominal ectopic pregnancy.”
Alex smiled wryly. “I would have fought you for that surgery.”
“Not only you.” Jo laughed.
The door opened again and a nurse came in to check their vitals. Carina joined, reviewing Jo’s monitors.
“This looks way better. No more stress, bella.”
Jo glanced at Carina. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Can you wheel me to daycare?”
Carina smiled warmly. “How about I bring your little bambina up here for some cuddles?”
Jo’s face softened, a genuine smile breaking through as she nodded.
–
Carina returned quietly only a few minutes later, a little blonde on one hand and a small backpack and jacket in the other.
“I have a visitor,” the Italian announced softly.
“Mommy!” Luna’s voice was an instant burst of sunshine as she climbed onto the bed and curled up against Jo, burying her face in her mother’s shoulder.
Carina gently helped Luna slip off her shoes and placed her backpack and jacket on the chair in the corner. “I’ll check on you in an hour,” she said with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Carina.”
“Love you, Auntie Rina,” Luna whispered, her eyes sparkling.
“Love you too, picolina,” Carina replied before quietly leaving the room again.
Jo looked down at her daughter, who was already turning her attention to Alex.
“Luna, this is my friend Alex.”
“I knows,” Luna said confidently. “Auntie Rina said he has an owie too.”
“He does,” Jo smiles, her voice gentle. “He had surgery for his owie.”
“You need cuddles too, Ally?” Luna’s eyes brightened, waiting eagerly for his answer.
But Jo was quicker. “His owie is on his tummy, so you have to be very careful if Alex wants some cuddles, okay?”
“I would love some cuddles, actually,” Alex admitted with a grin.
“Ally wants cuddles, moom,” Luna reminded her mother with a cheeky smile.
Jo chuckles softly at the nicknames, the warmth in the room growing.
“Very careful, okay, moon?”
“I pomise.” Luna nodded as she climbed into their middle to snuggle into Alex’s side, before she shifted slightly to grab and hold her mom’s hand.
Jo turned to her side, spooning her daughter gently. Her hand slipped under Luna’s, resting against Alex’s side. They settled into the quiet comfort of each other’s presence.
“Alex, is she…”
“Asleep? Yeah,” he whispered.
Jo smiled, brushing Luna’s hair back. “My moon.”
“She’s perfect, Jo.”
“She really is.”
—
Half an hour later, Luna was wide awake again, full of energy and stories from daycare. She eagerly showed them the pictures she had painted, her little fingers pointing at each scribble with pride.
She then peppered them with questions about the machines around their bed, her curiosity endless.
Alex answered every question with patience and warmth, and Jo just watched them in awe. Nothing could have prepared her for the surreal, beautiful feeling of seeing her daughter and her ex-husband interact with such ease.
“Mommy, does your owie hurt?” Luna asked suddenly.
Jo shook her head, trying not to make this a bigger deal than it was.
But Alex immediately notices the tears glistening in Jo’s eyes too. “Hey, you okay?”
“More than okay,” Jo replied softly.
“Why are you crying then, moom?”
“These are happy tears, bug. Don’t worry.” Jo stroked her daughter’s hair.
“You’re happy?” Luna looked puzzled.
“Yeah.” Jo nodded. “I love that you two get along so well.”
“Oh, Jo.” Alex’s hand found hers.
“Of course, mommy. He’s Ally. He’s my bestest friend.”
“I thought Scout was your best friend?”
“Yeah, my bestest little friend, but Ally is my bestest big friend.”
“Got it,” Jo smiled.
“You’re my best little friend too, Miss Luna,” Alex said gently.
Luna gasped. “You heard mommy?”
“I did.” Alex smiled, wiping away a tear from Jo’s cheek.
—
A knock at the door about an hour later interrupts their moment. Carina enters, dressed in her regular clothes, a diaper bag slung over her shoulder and little Liam perched on her hip.
“Ciao, just wanted to check on you one last time before heading home.”
“Liam!” Luna’s face lit up, which Liam responded with delighted giggles.
Carina sets the little boy down next to Luna, right between Jo and Alex on the double bed. She placed the diaper bag down and checked Jo’s vitals once more.
Looking at the monitors, she smiled. “That looks way better. Do you feel any pain?”
Jo shook her head. “There’s a little pressure when I walk to the bathroom, but other than that, no.”
“Perfecto. Then this shouldn’t be necessary anymore.” Carina began removing the heart rate monitors from Jo’s belly.
“I still want you to relax, get a good night’s sleep and have the nurses monitor you overnight.”
Jo nodded.
Another knock and Maya stepped in.
“Auntie Maya!” Luna squealed and Liam responded happily to seeing his other mom.
“Auntie Maya is here to pick us up for a sleepover. How does that sound?” Carina asked Luna before she looked at Jo for approval.
The little blonde gasped, “Can I, mommy?”
“If you want to.”
“I want.”
Luna hugged and kissed her mom and siblings goodnight, then gathered her things. She slipped on her shoes, coat and backpack.
“There should be a change of clothes in her backpack. If you need anything else, just use your spare key.”
“Don’t worry, Jo. We’ve got her.” Maya smiled, adjusting Liam on her hip.
“Thank you for taking her overnight.”
“There’s no need to thank us. We love having her over. I’ll bring her back tomorrow morning before my shift starts for some morning cuddles and then take her to daycare.” Carina added.
“Thank you.”
Jo nodded, her heart full.
“Alright, are we ready?”
“Wait!” Luna dashed around the bed to Alex’s side and climbed up, hugging him carefully.
“I almost forgot, Ally.” She claimed as she jumped off the bed again.
“Good night, Miss Luna.”
“Bye, Ally. Bye, Mommy. Bye, babies. I love you…”
“To the moon and back,” Jo finished gently, their little phrase echoing softly in the room.
—
The DeLuca-Bishops left and the room was quiet again. Just Jo and Alex.
Jo’s tears started again, silent and seemingly unstoppable.
“Hey…”
“I meant what I said earlier. I love that you two get along so well.”
“How could we not? She’s amazing, Jo. So sweet and full of joy.” Alex’s voice softened.
“She’s usually shy with new people, but with you around, she’s completely herself. It makes my heart so happy.” She pauses. “It almost made me forget about the crappy day we had.”
“Totally.” He agreed.