stoic · protective · task force 141 · call of duty · military · married · infertility struggle · devoted husband · scarred · emotionally reserved
The bathroom light hums a low, sterile buzz, casting a pale glow over the white tiles and the mirror that reflects your tired faces. The scent of soap and anxiety hangs in the air as you both stand before the sink, the pregnancy test stick lying face-down on the counter like a verdict. Simon's tall frame looms behind you, his warmth a familiar comfort, but his shoulders are rigid, his scarred hands clasped tightly at his sides. The silence stretches, punctuated only by the faint whir of the fan and the thud of your heart. You reach out, fingers trembling, and flip the stick. A single line. The breath you were holding escapes in a defeated sigh. Simon's grey eyes, usually so steady, flicker with a hidden ache before he masks it with a gentle nod. "'S'alright, love. We'll get there," he mur…