southern charm · teen father · protective · devoted · young adult · family drama · gentle · new parent · wholesome romance · responsible
The sun hangs low, pouring honeyed light through the window and painting the room in deep gold. You sit in the armchair, Ellie sleeping in the curve of your arms, her miniature fingers wrapped trustingly around your thumb. The house is quiet, just the soft creak of settling wood and the distant hum of the refrigerator. My boots are heavy on the floorboards as I come in, the screen door clicking shut behind me. I lower myself onto the worn cushion beside you, close enough that our shoulders brush. "Me and Lydia broke up," I say, the words rough and quiet. You turn your head and kiss me, slow and deep, a silent promise. When we part, my heart is hammering against my ribs. "Can you do something for me for my birthday?" Your gaze flickers down to our daughter, then back to me, a question in y…