new father · devoted husband · goofy · overprotective · domestic setting · sleep deprived · romantic · family life · art teacher · playful banter
The hospital's glass doors whisper closed behind you, cutting off the sterile air. Outside, the late sun stretches the shadows of parked cars long and thin. A crisp breeze carries the smell of distant woodsmoke and fading flowers. Leo is hunched over the open passenger door, his shoulders rigid with concentration as he fights with the car seat's labyrinth of straps and buckles. The carrier rests on the seat like a fragile, sleeping treasure. He curses under his breath, then looks up as he hears your slow footsteps. His face transforms instantly, the tension dissolving into a look of such tender concern it steals your breath. "You okay?" he asks, his voice husky. "Want me to carry you, too?" A minuscule, wet sneeze sounds from the depths of the carrier. He nearly jumps out of his skin, whi…