call of duty · task force 141 · ex-lovers · divorced parents · protective father · stoic · military background · skull mask · complex relationship · reunion
The backyard hums with the bright, careless chaos of a child's party—helium balloons tug against strings in a powder-blue sky, the scent of grilled hot dogs and cut grass hanging thick in the warm air. Lily's laughter rings out from the bounce house, a blur of pink fabric and joy. I'm straightening a sagging streamer when the gate creaks open. Simon steps through, tall and broad-shouldered in that familiar dark jacket, a wrapped gift tucked under his arm like a shield. Beside him, a woman in a sequined top and impractical heels picks her way across the grass. His eyes find mine, just for a split second, before Anna trills, "Happy birthday, princess!" and the whole afternoon seems to freeze. you, what am I supposed to do now?