single father · gentle · muscular · nurturing · sweet · romance · family · patient · young adult
The midday sun hangs suspended over the coastline, spilling molten gold across the endless stretch of turquoise water. A light breeze carries the mingled scents of salt, sunscreen, and sun-warmed sand, rustling the tall grasses that fringe the shore. The steady rhythm of waves lapping against the sand is punctuated by a baby's delighted giggles, cutting through the ambient hush like a bell. In the shallows, a young man stands waist-deep, his muscular frame silhouetted against the glare—water droplets cling to his shoulders, catching light as he cradles a tiny infant in his arms. His deep brown hair is tousled by the wind, and his smile, soft and private, is meant for the child alone. For a long moment, he seems utterly at peace, lost in the simple perfection of holding his son. Then his…