She handed Miguel a bottle of water and a package of wipes. “Clean your hands.” Then she took out baby formula, a small bottle, a plastic spoon, fever medicine, and even a thermometer. Her movements were quick, without unnecessary words. Sofia watched as his hands opened the package, poured in the formula, and added warm water from a thermos. David shook it well, dripped a little on her wrist to test the temperature, and then carefully gave it to her.
First, Lucas held the baby’s neck and fed him a small spoonful at a time. Lucas sucked slowly. His eyelids fluttered. Mateo watched and moaned between his breaths. Miguel turned away, but couldn’t stop watching. Daniel swallowed and then exhaled. “Daddy, you can’t keep doing this forever. Daddy is doing the right thing right now,” David replied calmly. He put down the spoon and checked the baby’s temperature with a thermometer. “Moderate fever, drink more water.”
He opened another bottle, brought the rim to Mateo’s lips, and tilted it very slightly. Mateo took a sip and then swallowed. Sofia watched, disbelief and excitement growing simultaneously. “Do you know how to feed a child like that? I’ve done it before,” David said simply, then looked at Miguel. “Grab a warm towel and wipe Lucas’s forehead.” Miguel hesitated for a moment and then took the towel. His movements were clumsy. His hand was shaking, though he tried to hide it.
That’s fine. Yes. David nodded. Gently. Daniel gave a soft chuckle. You’re wiping it clean like a screen. Shut up, Miguel said. But his voice had lowered. Softer. Mateo slowly calmed. Lucas’s breathing became more regular. His small hands clutched David’s wrist. Sofia blinked rapidly to hold back tears, then whispered, “Thank you.” David capped the bottle, put the spoon and container back in the bag. Now let’s go somewhere safe, and then we’ll call a doctor.
Miguel frowned. “Where are you planning on taking them?” “Home,” David answered without hesitation. Daniel straightened. “Whose house? Mine.” David started the engine. The answer was brief, definitive. He left no room for his children to argue. The car sped through the intersections. Sofía held Mateo in silence. From time to time she glanced at Lucas in David’s arms, as if afraid he might disappear. Inside the car, the faint smell of milk mingled with the sterile scent of hand sanitizer.
Miguel looked at the children and then at his father. “You know what this will bring, right?” “I know,” David said, his eyes still on the road. “And I’ll do it anyway.” Daniel exhaled deeply and leaned his head against the glass. Perfect. Just another ordinary day in Los Angeles. Sofia spoke timidly. “I don’t want to upset you. If you change your mind tomorrow.” She paused. Her voice shrank as if she were afraid of her own words. “Please give my brother one last meal.”
The car slowed down. Ahead lay the parking garage beneath a glass tower in downtown Los Angeles. David drove to his private spot and turned off the engine. In the sealed silence, Sofía’s words hung like a scratch that wouldn’t fade. Miguel turned away, no longer smiling. Daniel stopped joking. They both looked at the girl at the same time and then at her father. The elevator doors opened in front of them. Sofía hugged Mateo tighter… TO BE CONTINUED
