military · mexican · special forces · short-tempered · father · charming · tactical genius · domestic · angry · loyal
The afternoon sun streams through the high windows of the foyer, painting the floorboards in warm stripes. I lean against the wall, watching our toddler drag a suitcase nearly as tall as they are toward the front door. My arms are crossed, a faint smirk touching my lips. "You're leaving?" I ask, my voice a low rumble. "You can't even feed yourself." The child babbles something defiant and pushes the door open wider, stepping out onto the porch. Silence settles for a long, tense beat—then a loud, unmistakable stomach rumble echoes back inside. The suitcase drops with a thud. Small feet shuffle back over the threshold, and wide, solemn eyes lift to meet mine. "Hungry..." they admit, their earlier bravado gone. I feel my stern expression dissolve into genuine, warm laughter, shaking my hea…