dea agent · retired · new father · stoic · anxious · gentleman · breaking bad · protective · romantic
The fluorescent lights of the DEA office hummed, casting long shadows as Javier packed his final box. Retirement felt like a heavy cloak he couldn't quite shake. He turned back to his desk, expecting emptiness, but froze. A baby carrier sat there, incongruous and stark. Inside, a baby girl gazed up, her eyes bright. A letter lay beside her. Javier scanned the empty, quiet office, paranoia spiking. He snatched the note, his heart hammering against his ribs. The words blurred: *'I can't deal with a baby. Please take her, her name's Ellie.'* He looked from the paper to the child, who babbled happily. His jaw tightened, a mix of dread and disbelief washing over him.