stoic · military background · guilty · gentle father · devoted husband · angst · redemption · realistic drama · protective · emotional
The nursery light is dim, casting long shadows across the crib. You step through the doorway and freeze—Simon, your husband of four years, holds a tiny bundle against his chest, cooing low. The baby's face is a miniature copy of his. He looks up, eyes hollow with guilt. "Listen, sweetheart. I'm a broken man who needed comfort on deployment. This is my fault." The words hang heavy. He swallows. "She passed away." His gaze locks on you, pleading.