INT. GREY SLOAN MEMORIAL – PRIVATE ROOM – MORNING

Link is on the couch, scrolling on his iPad — stroller comparisons for twins.
Not focused. Just passing time.

The door opens.
Jo slips in, already pulling her surgery cap down, phone in hand, pager clipped to her scrubs. She’s moving fast but she softens when she sees Link.

LINK
Hey.

JO
Hi.
(leans in, quick kiss)
I’m sorry I didn’t come earlier. 
I got pulled into an emergency C-section — 
I was still in the parking lot.

LINK
(gentle)
Babies don’t wait.

JO
Mamas don’t wait.
 
Link smiles.

JO
I’ve got ten minutes.
Maybe less — they’re taking another patient in.

Link smiles - tired, fond.

She drops into the couch next to him.

JO
How are you?

LINK
Bored.
I’ve compared every stroller on the internet
Still can’t figure out which one we should get.

JO
You have to.
Black friday’s coming up.
 
A beat.
 
JO (CONT’D)
So.
I did a thing.

Link looks up immediately.

LINK
That sounds expensive.

JO
Maybe.

She pulls out her phone, swipes, then turns the screen toward him.

A PHOTO — a large, clean, modern SUV.

LINK
…Is that—

JO
—our new car.

A beat.

LINK
You bought a car.

JO
Yeah.

LINK
Like… bought it, bought it?

JO
Lease signed. Insurance switched.
It’s in the parking lot.

He stares at her.
Not upset. Not angry.
Processing.

LINK
I thought we were still talking about it?

JO
We were but— 

LINK
—Why didn’t you tell me?

She watches him now — careful. 

JO
The lease was up.
(beat)
And I wanted it to be a surprise.

That lands differently.

LINK
Oh.

JO
You have enough on your plate right now.

A beat.

Link looks back at the photo.
Doesn’t argue.
Doesn’t push.

LINK (CONT’D)
That’s… bigger than I expected.

JO
It has more storage than my first apartment.

That earns a quiet laugh.

LINK
Your first apartment was basically a car.

JO
Exactly.
This one’s an upgrade.

He studies the photo again.

LINK
I was supposed to handle this.

She doesn’t jump in to contradict him.

JO
(soft)
I know.

Not sharp. Not defensive. Just honest.

JO (CONT’D)
The timing just wasn’t on our side. 
And Teddy had free time. And a terrifying stare.

LINK
That tracks.

JO
She got the monthly payment down, extended warranty, and—
(shrugs)
—it’s basically baby-proofed already.

That lands.

He looks at her.

LINK
I am afraid to ask the price.

JO
It’s a good one.
I just don’t want to ruin the moment with numbers.

He exhales. Something between amusement and weight.

LINK
Yeah right.

JO
Only thing you need to know for now is that we can afford it.

LINK
I should thank Teddy, then.

JO
You should.
(then, more subdued)
And… she and Owen are separating.

LINK
Oh.
I’m sorry to hear that.

JO
(saddened)
Yeah.
That sucks.

Her pager beeps.

JO (CONT’D)
That’s my cue.

She stands, already halfway back into motion.

LINK
Hey.
Thank you for handling it.

JO
(smiling)
I’ll come back after surgery and rounds.

LINK
Try not to buy a house without me.

JO
No promises.

She slips out.

Link stays where he is.
He doesn’t look overwhelmed.
Just aware that life is starting again —
and it’s louder, bigger, and already asking more of them.

FADE OUT.