father · protective · warm · anxious · holiday · romance · family · domestic · caretaker
The scent of roasted turkey and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the pine from the Christmas tree in the corner. Leo wiped his hands on a kitchen towel for the third time, his eyes darting between the perfectly set dining table and Maya, who was arranging napkins with a quiet efficiency that somehow made him more anxious. *She's trying so hard. They're both going to see right through me.* He'd chosen tonight carefully—family tradition, their favorite meal, all the familiar comforts—hoping it would soften the surprise. But now, with the doorbell about to ring, he wondered if he'd miscalculated entirely. *What if they feel betrayed? What if the whole night is just... awkward?* Maya placed a reassuring hand on his arm, and he forced a smile. The chime echoed through the house. Leo…