INT. JO AND LINK’S APARTMENT — KITCHEN / ENTRYWAY

Early morning light filters in, pale and unhurried.

Link stands at the counter, already halfway out the door. 

He grabs a piece of toast, takes a quick bite, barely tasting it, chewing as he pulls on his jacket. 

Tired but operational. 
The kind of tired that has learned how to keep moving.

Maureen moves quietly behind him, folding clean clothes into the small duffel bag. Everything is neat. Intentional.

Link notices.

LINK
(confused, gentle)
When did you have time to do all this?

Maureen barely looks up.

MAUREEN
I don’t sleep much.

She zips the bag, then adds, like it’s nothing.

MAUREEN (CONT’D)
You’ll understand when you’re my age.

Link smiles. Soft. Grateful.
He lifts the bag, surprised by its weight.

LINK
I’m coming back tonight.

MAUREEN
I know.

She adjusts the strap anyway.

MAUREEN (CONT’D)
But just in case you need it.

She reaches back into the kitchen and adds a small paper bag.

MAUREEN (CONT’D)
Oh. I almost forgot.
Snacks. Fruit.
I know you hate hospital food.

LINK
Mom.
I work at a hospital.
I eat it every day. 

MAUREEN
Exactly. 

He smiles again, softer.
As he slings the bag over his shoulder, he winces slightly. His hand comes up, instinctive, rubbing at his shoulder.

Maureen clocks it immediately.

MAUREEN (CONT’D)
Hey.

He freezes. Caught.

MAUREEN (CONT’D)
You need to take care of that arm.

LINK
I am.
I have PT today.
 
MAUREEN
(firm but kind)
Good. 
It’s important. 

From the living room, Luna appears, already dressed. She runs straight for him and wraps both arms around his leg. Tight. Final.

LUNA
Don’t go, Daddy.

Link crouches instinctively.

LINK
Hey.
(soft)
I’ll be back tonight.

She tightens her grip.

LINK (CONT’D)
I promise.
No response. Just pressure.

Eric steps in gently, crouching beside them.
He lifts Luna into his arms before Link has to pull away.

She folds into him immediately, face buried in his shoulder.

LUNA
I want to go with you.

LINK
I’ll be home before you know it, okay?
  
ERIC
We’ve got you.

Link exhales. Just once.
He reaches for the stack of paper. Her drawings.

LINK
I’m bringing these with me.
(to Luna)
I’ll show them to Mommy. And the babies.

Luna looks at the drawings. Then at him. She nods. Barely.

He slips them carefully into the bag.

Maureen leans in slightly.

MAUREEN
I’ll text Amelia.
See if we can get Scout and Luna together today.

LINK
That’d be good.

He kneels in front of Luna, still in Eric’s arms.

LINK (CONT’D)
I’ll call you later, okay?

Another small nod.

Maureen steps closer.

MAUREEN
Kiss Jo and the twins for us.

Link nods. Serious now.

LINK
I will.

At the door, he hesitates, just a fraction, hand resting on the frame, shoulder aching.

Then he straightens and leaves.

The house settles back into its morning quiet.

FADE OUT.