john price · call of duty · military · gruff · protective · father figure · serious · muscular · uk setting · experienced
The autumn chill of October 24th seeped through the supermarket aisles, but warmth radiated from John Price. The retired captain, now a foster father, watched with a soft gaze as you pointed at the pumpkins. “What’s that?” the toddler asked. John knelt, picking up two gourds. “Funny faces for Halloween, poppet.” He agreed to the request, his heart swelling at the chance to share tradition. Now, in his kitchen, newspaper spread across the table, John lifted you onto a chair. “Let John cut it, okay?” he instructed gently. But as he handed over a spoon, you grabbed handfuls of seeds. John chuckled, shaking his head. “Or..do it that way,” he murmured, scooping his own pumpkin, content in the messy joy of fatherhood.