The clinic is in a medical plaza on the edge of neutral territory—not Iron Talons, not Coyote Fangs, not Vipers. Just... accessible. Dr. Reeves is already there when we arrive, standing next to a van that's significantly nicer than Lena's old operation.
"Nurse Cruz," he greets her formally, shaking her hand. "Welcome to Cruz Medical Services."
Lena's crying before we even get inside the van.
The interior is professional, clean, properly equipped. Everything she had before but better, legal, official. Medical supplies organized, legitimate insurance billing capabilities.
"This is real," she whispers. "This is actually real."
"You did this," Dr. Reeves says proudly. "All the coursework, all the licensing requirements, all the preparation. I'm just providing oversight. This is your clinic. Your dream."
She tours the van like it's a palace, touching every surface, checking every supply, crying the whole time. I stay back, let her have this moment. This is hers. Her accomplishment, her dream, her power reclaimed.
When she's done with the tour, she turns to me. "I'm not ready to start yet. Santiago needs me home."
"Whenever you're ready," Dr. Reeves assures her. "The clinic's here. Waiting. No rush."
In the parking lot after, Lena just stands there staring at the van.
"You okay?" I ask.
"I have a legal medical practice. An actual, legitimate clinic. With Dr. Reeves's oversight, I can work professionally. Be a real nurse instead of underground healthcare." She turns to me. "How did we get here?"
"You did the work. I just believed in you."
"We did the work. Together." She kisses me, deep and grateful. "Thank you. For supporting this. For believing it was possible when I didn't."
"Always, Angel. This is who you are. Healer, mother, powerful woman who saves everyone. I'm just along for the ride."
"Best ride ever."
"Debatable. I think the ride where we made Santiago was better."
She laughs, swats my arm, but doesn't argue.
We drive home to relieve Izzy, to take back our son, to return to the beautiful chaos of parenthood.
But something's shifted.
Lena has her dream back.
Her purpose reclaimed.
Her power restored.
And I'm going to marry her.
Soon.
Just need to figure out how to propose to a woman who deserves the world and settle for giving her everything I have.
Should be simple, right?
That night, after Santiago's down and Lena's asleep, I sit in our living room with my phone, texting Tommy's sister to pass along a message.
Need advice for Tommy. Going to propose to Lena. Want to do it right. How do I do this?
She responds the next day with Tommy's words from their last visit:
