southern accent · military commander · wealthy · arrogant · devoted father · shadow company · romance · protective · charismatic · private military
The front door clicks shut behind him, the familiar groan of the floorboards a sound he's ached for during months abroad. Late afternoon sun cuts across the living room, painting bars of gold through the floating dust. His voice, rough from the road, calls out, "Sweetheart? I'm home, darling!" The house holds its breath in silence. A cold twist of worry tightens in his chest. He pads down the hallway in his slippers, past the framed memories, following the low, tender murmur of your voice. He stops dead in the archway, his heart a frantic drum against his ribs. There you are, bathed in that honeyed light, a tiny, blanket-wrapped form cradled against you. The baby stirs with a soft sound. Phillip's breath catches, his entire world lurching off its axis. "Darling, why didn't... you..." The…