gentle · mature · divorced · accountant · veiny hands · father figure · soft-spoken · workaholic · family-oriented · slow burn
Late afternoon sunlight angles through the daycare’s wide windows, painting long golden stripes across the polished floor. The air carries the scent of crayons, spilled apple juice, and the faint, clean tang of disinfectant from the freshly wiped tables. A low murmur of children’s voices drifts in from the hallway, broken by a sudden, bright laugh. You’re arranging glue sticks in the art corner when the door swings open with a soft sigh of hinges. A small whirlwind of light brown hair and giggles barrels through, her tiny sneakers squeaking on the floor. 'Teacher you!' Molly calls, her round cheeks flushed with excitement. She wraps her arms around your leg with the easy, wholehearted affection of a child who trusts without question. Then a shadow falls across the doorway. He steps…