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Andrea Reyes feels a little bad about the way she is going about this. She knows that Carlos won’t be with TK when she gets to the hospital to visit him, but she wanted some time to talk to the man, alone. She meant what she said when she told Carlos that she loves TK, her and Gabriel both, but that doesn’t mean that she won’t go a little mama bear and try to protect her son. Honestly, she likes to think of it as protecting TK too, she hasn’t known the man for long, but she can tell that he longs to be loved the way she’s seen Carlos love him, and the way she loves him. The man is longing for family and a place to belong so bad, that she can tell he’s terrified to accept it. So she’s here to help make sure he knows that he’s always loved, that a mother’s love is unconditional, and that forgiveness is part of being a family.
She has checked in with Carlos several times over the last week; doing her best to make sure he takes care of himself. If she knows her boy at all he’s likely to forget to eat or sleep in favor of making anyone, but especially TK, feel better. She was overjoyed that in Carlos’ last report TK was improved enough to be moved from the ICU and placed in a regular room. She has thanked God many times over for bringing TK back to them and for the healing that seems to be taking place. She also knows from Carlos’ last report that he is back to work today after having taken this time off to be with TK in the hospital. Hence, why she is here now.
Walking into the hospital and navigating her way to the fourth floor where she finds room 412 is easy. Seeing her second son still lying in a hospital bed is hard. He’s looking away from her, focusing on the window, where the warm Texas sun is shining brightly again. She takes a moment to breathe and takes in the fact that he is alive and whole before she taps lightly on the doorframe in an attempt not to startle TK.
He’s still surprised, head whipping in her direction, eyes wide and widening even further upon seeing who has entered his hospital room. She watches him carefully as he attempts to pull himself up to sit a little straighter; at the same time pulling his emotions back inside, behind the invisible wall she used to be privileged to see behind.
“Mrs. Reyes” his voice is still lower than normal and scratchy, likely from the time he spent on a ventilator, and she tries not to wince as she thinks about it. She frowns at the formality of his words. They’re long past the need for any of that. She opts for a lighter topic to start though, or at least a more joyful one.
“It’s good to see you looking better. How are you feeling?” She asks him softly as she walks over to stand next to the bed, her hand unconsciously reaching up to brush a stray piece of hair back from his forehead.
His eyes go wide at the action, but she sees the subtle way he leans his head closer to her, soaking up the touch. As she pulls her hand away he clears his throat, whispering a quiet, “thank you, I’m good” before falling silent again.
Instead of pushing it, she looks to the bedside table as she sits down on the chair next to the bed. Sitting on the table are a variety of cards, flowers, and well wishes left for the man sitting in front of her. She’s not surprised. He’s a good man, and he deserved all of that and more.
Even as she continues to keep her eyes trained on the table next to him, she can tell that TK is watching her closely, his hands fidgeting in his lap, fingers twirling around a loose string on the thin hospital blanket. She makes a mental note to bring him a thicker one the next time she comes to visit.
She lets them sit for a moment in silence. The way she’s always done with her own children. Letting them know that she’s there, but that there is a serious conversation coming. Andrea’s honestly surprised when TK starts talking first, in all the time they’ve spent having small chats on the ranch she’s always needed to probe him when it’s a more heavy topic.
“I’m so sorry.”
His voice is fragile as he says those words, but gains strength as he continues talking, even as her gaze shifts to him and he looks her in the eyes. “I know you must hate me for what I did to Carlos, but I just need you to know how much I regret it and that I promise it won’t happen again. I understand if you can’t forgive me, I know Carlos is your son, and I..” he stutters, tears building rapidly in his eyes. She watches as he breaks eye contact looking down and blinking rapidly. “I’m just so sorry.”
Her heart swells at the sincerity she hears in his voice and simultaneously breaks at having her thoughts confirmed. TK may have broken her son’s heart, but he broke his own in the process and after digging up more of the details surrounding their break-up she also knows that this was not a one-sided problem.
It was a bittersweet occurrence that such heartbreak had given her a chance to talk to her son about communication in a relationship and the importance of making decisions like he did together. She knows in her heart that Carlos was truly just trying to show his love for TK in the best way he knew how, but she tried to communicate with him that sometimes the ways we want to show our love aren’t the ways that our partner needs to receive it. Sometimes it is better to listen than to jump.
She leans forward in her chair, carefully taking one of TK’s hands in her own, watching as it causes his eyes to snap up to hers from where they were staring intently at his lap. His eyes are swimming with tears and any thoughts of having a serious conversation now have fled her mind. She realizes now he doesn’t need to hear any of that. When he’s healed she’ll make sure they have a talk, but right now, body and mind still in such a fragile place she knows he just needs warmth.
“I understand mijo, and while I wish you and Carlos would have discussed the situation, you're not the only guilty party here, but there will be time for all that later, thank God for that.”
TK begins to shake his head vigorously before stopping abruptly and bringing his free hand to gently rub at his temple.
Andrea brings her hand up to his head to run soft fingers through his hair in a way she knows soothes him, “TK, are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry” TK’s voice rasps with tears and emotion, “Just dizzy.” he explains, glancing up at her again after a minute. “The doctor’s say it’s normal, my body is going to take some time to adjust.” He shrugs as a sad look passes over his face.
“No need to apologize. Take all the time you need, we’re just happy you’re here.” Sitting back in her chair she remembers the contents of her bag that she brought with, “Oh, I brought something for you.” she says, leaning down to grab the container.
TK looks curiously at her as she places it on his tray table and opens the lid. Steam billows out from the hot food inside and TK takes a deep breath as a bright smile takes over his features.
“Matzo ball soup?” his voice wavers on the question, tears shining again.
She smiles softly back at him as she answers, “Your mom gave me the name of the restaurant that she said makes the best in Austin. I didn’t have time to make it from scratch, but I am looking forward to trying the recipe she gave me.”
TK’s hand shakes as he wipes the tears that have now spilled over onto his face, “thank you.” he whispers with such sincerity she doesn’t know what to do with it other than to pass him the spoon she has brought before pulling out her own portion. He glances at her as she does, a questioning look on his face.
“I decided I needed to taste this before trying to make it myself. Tasting the food will help me get a better feel for the ingredients.”
TK’s laugh is bright and light, “you sound just like Carlos, or well I guess he sounds like you.” he muses happily, taking another bite of the soup.
They eat in comfortable silence until TK leans back in the bed, with clearly waning energy. His eyes begin to stay closed longer between blinks and a yawn breaks through despite his obvious effort to silence it.
“Sorry,” he mumbles, “I still haven’t been able to stay awake for that long at a time.”
She cleans up the table and stands up to tuck the hospital blanket around him more securely, “think nothing of it TK, you rest, it was good to see you.”
“You too Andrea.” he responds softly even as his eyes fall shut and she smiles at the small win in earning back this ease with him for now. She stays until she’s sure he is asleep. The gentle rise and fall of his chest is a comforting sight. Placing a gentle kiss on his head before she quietly slips out of the room, feeling lighter and making plans to return in a few days.
She does return, just the next day, bringing with her the warmest blanket she can find. If it just so happens to be a family one that she relishes in sharing with TK so be it. The sight that greets her today is much happier than the day before. Carlos sits on the side of the bed, dressed in his uniform, soft smile on his face as he cups TK’s cheek in his palm.
She watches as he leans down slowly to place a gentle kiss on the other man’s lips, the kiss lingering for a moment, before he stands and turns. He startles as his eyes catch her standing in the doorway, a hand flying to his chest, “Mami. Dios, how long have you been standing there?”
She tuts at her son as she catches TK’s eyes behind Carlos and TK actually winks at her. The playful action causes a laugh to burst out of her, “I think you should ask your boyfriend, Carlitos.”
Carlos turns an accusatory, but soft look to TK, before leaning down to place another kiss to his temple. Andrea makes her way into the room then, taking over the chair Carlos is leaving. Carlos turns to her pulling her into a tight hug, she knows he’s silently thanking her for being there. She knows both of her boys are struggling with the days in the hospital and Carlos doesn’t like to leave TK alone.
Carlos begins to step away, turning to look at TK as he says, “Be safe babe, love you.”
“Love you too.” Carlos says softly, stepping out of the door.
TK stares after him for a long moment, only turning towards her as she begins to spread the blanket she’s brought over him on the bed. He smiles at her as his fingers begin to run over the patterns on the fabric.
He hums softly, “Thank you for coming, Carlos feels much better leaving me when he knows I have company.”
She smiles at him as she finishes tucking the blanket around him and settles onto the chair next to the bed. “Of course TK, but you know I come because I enjoy seeing you, not just to make Carlos feel better.” The need to reassure him that he’s important is strong.
He doesn’t answer, not that she expected him to, it seems that they’ve got some work to do to get back in the comfortable space they filled before.
His face looks thoughtful as he clears his throat, hand reaching for the water cup sitting on the table in front of him. He takes a long drink and she remains quiet, sensing that he is gearing up to say something and she is proved correct when as soon as he places the cup on the table his eyes meet hers and he begins talking.
“I know you said we’d talk about it later, but I feel like I need to tell you again that I’m sorry and that I swear I have no intentions of hurting Carlos again like I did.” His voice is steadier than it was yesterday and the sincerity of his words is clear.
She nods her head, “I know mijo.”
“It was so stupid, the whole situation was just so, well stupid.” TK rambles and she can see him beginning to spiral and get emotional again. She’s sad about it, because she doesn’t want her visits with him to become only about him feeling the need to continue to apologize and prove something to her. They’re past that now.
“Shhh, mijo just listen for a moment. Carlos explained what happened and he and I had a talk about communication in a relationship. A lot like the talk you and I need to have, but not now. Now I want you to know that we’re here for you. We love you the same as we always have, you are family TK, no matter what.”
TK’s eyes shine with tears and they gather more as she talks, finally spilling over by the end. His free hand hastily wiping them away.
“I missed you,” he admits softly. “I had grown fond of our chats on the ranch.”
This causes her to laugh lightly, joy jumping in her heart that he would also cherish something she has grown to love.
“As soon as you are well enough, you will come visit so we can continue our chats.” She tells him pointedly, and he ducks his head bashfully, knowing what she’s implying. A small smile playing on his lips all the same. “For now has Carlos told you about the new horses that we’ve taken on boarding at the ranch? He’s fallen in love with one of the mares.”
TK smiles as he shakes his head and Andrea is happy to launch into the whole detailed story about the horses. She talks until he falls asleep again, and then she stays reading the book she brought along for just this purpose. She’s happy to be there for her son and show him all the love he deserves.