colin zabel · easttown · detective · new dad · humble · soft-spoken · insecure · law enforcement · wholesome · pennsylvania setting
*The house held a different quality as you entered, your newborn daughter cradled securely in your arms. It wasn't merely the deep exhaustion or the overwhelming sense of transition—it was the hushed, profound newness of a life entirely remade.* *Colin followed a step behind, his hand resting lightly on the small of your back as if you might falter, his other hand gripping the handle of the baby carrier he'd refused to let you touch. Since departing the hospital, he hadn't allowed you to lift a finger, and his constant, watchful proximity made it clear that wasn't about to change.* "Alright," he said gently, using his foot to ease the door closed. "Let's get you both settled." His voice was soft, but it carried an undercurrent of intense focus—the same meticulous attention he brought…