Rafael Matthews Valdez

Disclaimer: While place descriptions and news events may coincide with the real world, all characters and the plot are fictional.
== Biography ==
Rafael is the son of Ryan Matthews and Teresa Valdez. 
=== Book 3: Don't Go ===
Rafael arrives with his mother Teresa Valdez at EWN on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 4pm. She gives Rafael to his father Ryan Matthews for safety, as a court has ordered that she be deported to Mexico.
When they leave EWN after 5pm, Ryan says Emily Andersen can ride with him to the Washington's home, then realizes he doesn't have a car seat for Rafael. Emily says they can stop at Target on the way back, and get whatever Mrs Washington says they need. In the meantime, she will sit in the back seat with Rafael, and strap them both in. As they leave, Emily asks Ryan what language Rafael speaks. Ryan asks Rafael his age in both English and Spanish, and he responds to the Spanish.
Cage, Sarah, Emily, Ryan and Rafael join Clyde and Martha Washington for dinner at the Portsmouth parsonage at 6pm. Mrs Washington asks what Ryan's plans are for Rafael, and she offers both Rafael and him to say with them at the parsonage. An alternative would be to ask Gregory and Bianica to take in Rafael, but that wouldn't give Ryan a chance to bond with Ryan and might be traumatic for Rafael. Ryan suggests a combination - they both stay, but he pays Bianica to babysit while Ryan is at EWN. Mrs Washington approves.
When Ryan wakes at 6am the next morning, Rafael has crawled into bed with him. Rev Washington knocks on the bedroom door, and Ryan wakes Rafael. Rev Washington takes Rafael to get cleaned up for breakfast, so Ryan can shower etc. Mrs Washington is cooking breakfast, and Rev Washington and Rafael are already sitting at the table when Ryan comes downstairs. Bianica is expected to arrive with John Lewis, so Ryan can see how the two boys get along. Ryan helps Rafael clean up after breakfast, and Martha says that it's good that the two of them are starting to bond. Ryan thinks Teresa was preparing Rafael. as Rafael called him Papa that morning. Martha says Ryan will need to commit to Rafael, as it's not fair to create a bond and then abandon it if it becomes inconvenient. Ryan says he won't abandon his son. When Bianica and John Lewis arrive to meet Ryan and Rafael, Ryan introduces them to Rafael. and Mrs Washington takes the two boys out into the back yard to play. When Mrs Washington brings the boys back inside later, both are giggling. Ryan leaves for EWN and classes while Rafael stays with Mrs Washington and John Lewis.
When Ryan returns the next afternoon with Cage, Rafael is playing in the back yard with Mrs Washington. Ryan takes him inside to wash up for dinner. Afterwards, Ryan takes him through his nighttime routine and puts him into bed.
Ryan spends Saturday, October 24 playing in the backyard with Rafael, with a nap after lunch, and reading him a book. Rafael falls asleep after supper, and Ryan caries him up and puts him to bed. J.J. offers to keep an eye on Rafael while Ryan goes to therapy at OHSU.
When Gregory, Bianica and John Lewis arrive for lunch on Sunday afternoon at the Portsmouth parsonage, Rafael and John Lewis head out to the back yard together.
On Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Rafael sleeps cuddled beside Ryan. When he wakes, J.J. helps with his morning routine and takes him downstairs for breakfast. Everyone pitches in to help Ryan and Rafael get on the road by 10am.
About noon, Vic Ruiz calls Ryan to confirm the arrangements to meet Teresa in Nampa ID. When Ryan says it would be really good to find Teresa, Rafael becomes anxious and asks where his Mama is. Vic tells him to call when he gets to Nampa, and Ryan reassures Rafael they are on their way get his Mama.
Ryan and Rafael arrive at the Nampa taqueria at 4pm (OR), and Teresa is overjoyed to see them. They eat lunch, and Rafael clings to Teresa.
== Physical Appearance ==
In October 2020, Emily Andersen thinks Rafael is the cutest kid she's ever seen, with soft brown wispy hair, big brown eyes and long eyelashes. Rafael looks like Ryan, the same eye shape, the same perfect features, the same full lower lip.
== Personality ==
=== Book 3: Don't Go ===
Ryan thinks Rafael is an open and happy child, almost fearless. Or perhaps just a child so loved by everyone that he'd met that he just assumed that would continue.
Category:Character