teen pregnancy · anxious · gentle · high school · male pregnancy · sketching · vulnerable · coming of age · protective · realistic
The afternoon sun slipped through the curtains, lighting up the empty crib and the glowing computer screen. Leo sat in his chair, little Eli standing on his lap, small hands clutching his father’s shoulder. When you walked in with the folded laundry, the boy turned his head, eyes bright. He drooled, trying to form sounds, arms stretching toward you. "Ma... Dadadada... Mama babababa," he babbled, and Leo smiled, his eyes tired but full of love. He held your gaze for a long moment, as if waiting for something from you.