INT. GREY SLOAN MEMORIAL – PRIVATE ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON

The late sun spills warm gold across Link’s new room.

He looks exhausted from PT, but calmer — Jo’s presence anchoring him.

Jo sits beside him on the bed. The drawings the kids made are taped to the wall behind him, and their wedding photos — along with other pictures — are placed around the room.

A long, fragile moment passes.

LINK
(quiet)
Ok, let’s call them…

Jo turns to him — surprised, but gentle.

JO
Okay.

Link swallows, nodding slowly.

LINK
Just for a minute.

Jo smiles softly and opens her phone.

JO
I’ll keep the camera high. Just your face.

Link exhales shakily — grateful.

LINK
Thanks.

Jo taps the screen.

The FaceTime rings once—
twice—

Then Luna’s face explodes onto the screen, all smiles and missing teeth.

LUNA
DADDY!!!

Link’s breath catches. His eyes shine instantly.

LINK
(soft, emotional)
Hey, bug…

Scout appears, practically climbing over Luna, hair wild.

SCOUT
Daddy!! Daddy hi!! Daddy look!!

He shoves a drawing into the camera — a blue weird-looking dinosaur that barely fits on the page.

Link laughs — weak, breathy, but real.

LINK
Buddy… that’s amazing.

Luna squints at him through the camera.

LUNA
Daddy, you look tired.

LINK
I’m okay, sweetheart.
Just resting so I can come home soon.

Scout bounces.

SCOUT
Are you coming home tomorrow??

LINK
(soft, smiling)
Not tomorrow…
But soon.

Luna leans close to the phone until her whole face fills the screen.

LUNA
We made you drawings!
Did Mommy bring them??

Link glances at the wall behind him — the drawings proudly displayed.

LINK
I got them.
They’re right behind me.
They’re my favorite part of the room.

Luna beams.

Behind them, Maureen and Eric step briefly into frame — warm, supportive, not intrusive.

MAUREEN
Hi, sweetie.
We’re so glad to hear your voice.

ERIC
(smiling)
Your little monkeys have been pretty restless — in a good way. Keeping us on our toes.

Link smiles — shaky, emotional, grateful.

LINK
Thank you both…
for taking care of them.

MAUREEN
Just focus on you now.
We’ll stay as long as you need us. 

They step back out of the way, leaving the moment to Link and the kids.

Luna leans close again.

LUNA
Do your ouchies hurt?

Link breathes carefully.

LINK
A little.
But talking to you helps a lot.

Jo’s eyes warm.

Scout suddenly gasps dramatically.

SCOUT
Granny and Jo said you fell down the stairs!
Daddy, don’t run down the stairs again!

Jo chokes on a laugh. Link’s eyebrows lift.

LINK
I’ll… try not to, buddy. And neither do you. 

The kids giggle.

LUNA
Daddy, when you come home, can we make pancakes?

LINK
Yeah, baby.
We’ll make all the pancakes you want.

Scout claps his hands.

SCOUT
Daddy come home!

Link’s voice shakes — emotion swelling fast.
Jo senses it and steps in gently.

JO
Okay, loves… Daddy’s going to rest now.
Say goodnight.

Luna nods seriously.

LUNA
Okay…
Goodnight Daddy.
I love you so, so, so, soooo much.

SCOUT
Me too!
Goodnight Daddy!!

Link closes his eyes briefly — the love in their voices overwhelms him.

LINK
I love you too. So, so much.

Luna blows a kiss. Scout copies.

JO 
I am going home in a bit. I’ll see you soon. Be nice with Granny and Grandpa.

Jo ends the call gently.
A warm silence settles.

Link lets out a shaking exhale, something inside him finally unclenching.

LINK
(quiet, raw)
I hate being stuck here.

Jo leans her forehead lightly against his temple — a soft grounding touch.

JO
I know.

Link closes his eyes, soaking it in… then his breath catches, just slightly.

He looks away a moment too quickly.

Jo notices.

JO
(soft, checking him)
Are you okay with me going home?

Link swallows, then nods — but it’s stiff, guarded, his pride talking.

LINK
Yeah.
Go.
I’m okay.

Jo studies him — sensing something she can’t quite name.
She leans in and kisses him carefully, tender.

Link kisses her back, but there’s a flicker — the way his hand hesitates before settling on hers.

When she pulls back, he forces a small smile.

JO
I’ll be back first thing tomorrow. 

Link nods again, but this time he can’t quite meet her eyes.

LINK
You don’t have to rush.
It’s not like I’m going anywhere…

A soft attempt at humor — but it lands heavy, hollow.
Jo hesitates for half a second… then leaves quietly.

The door closes.

Link watches her go, eyes soft and conflicted.

The moment she’s gone, something in him collapses inward.
Not because she left —
but because being alone forces him to confront what he’s trying to outrun:
Gratitude tangled with shame.
Love tangled with helplessness.

Needing her… while hating needing anything at all.

He hates being stuck like this.
Hates that he can’t go home.
That anger has nowhere to go
except inward.
For the first time since waking up, his body feels lighter— but his chest feels heavier.

FADE OUT.