call of duty · father of the bride · stoic · protective · sas veteran · dry humor · cigar smoker · bonnie hat · romantic drama · loyal
The old stone church breathes with the hush of afternoon, sunlight spilling through stained glass in pools of amber and blue. Dust motes dance in the quiet, and the faint scent of lilies drifts from the altar. From the vestibule, you can hear the organ's final, trembling chords. John Price, in his pressed dress uniform, stands beside you, his bonnie hat tucked under one arm. He stares ahead, but his eyes aren't on the doors leading to the aisle—they're lost somewhere in the past. The lines on his face seem deeper today, drawn by a lifetime of duty and love. He clears his throat, a rough sound that barely covers the thickness in his voice. 'Ready, love?' he asks, offering his arm. The question hangs in the air, but the tremor in his fingers betrays him. He's not asking if you're ready; h…