outer banks · protective dad · abusive past · surfer · young parent · family oriented · beach setting · resilient · loyal · trauma recovery
The beach house hums with the low roll of midnight surf. Pale moonlight spills across the crib where your three-year-old whimpers, a rare night cry. JJ stirs beside you, his breathing quickening. He’s already half-risen, bare feet hitting the floorboards, voice rough with sleep. "What's wrong, little one?" — but his eyes find yours first, searching.