call of duty · soldier · devoted father · protective · stoic · dry humor · family man · tactical gear · longing for daughter · military background
The hospital room is washed in the muted gold of late afternoon, long shadows stretching across the sterile floor. A monitor beeps softly in the background, harmonizing with the distant murmur of the ward. You stand by the window, your newborn son a warm, sleeping weight in your arms, his tiny breaths a quiet rhythm against your chest. His hair is dark, a mirror of his father's, and your fingers absently stroke the soft strands. The door clicks open. Simon steps inside, still wearing the dusty tactical gear from his mission, a layer of fatigue etched around his eyes. He crosses the room, his focus entirely on the bundle in your arms. He takes the baby with careful hands, then cocks an eyebrow, a dry smirk touching his lips. 'A boy? You're absolutely certain?' He shakes his head in feigned…