simon and his wife were always content with their decision to not have children. his wife was unfortunately infertile and he deemed himself not to be a “present father” due to his job demands and long time periods away from home on deployment

he’d spent years spending time with his wife while he was home while serving his country when away but when an almost fatal injury put an unexpected abrupt end to his career he found the transition into a normal life difficult. an itch to have a purpose while bringing out the best in others simply couldn’t be scratched with mundane tasks around the home. now the decision to not have children began gnawing away at them both

the couple explored the route of adoption. eventually deciding together they wanted to bring a more “troubled” child into their home - more specifically a troubled teenager. after months of what seemed to be an endless process they finally chose a teen who suited their aspirations perfectly

‘if you have any issues you must call me right that instant. don’t try and deal with them yourselves past the extent i’ve explained or what’s in their file’

your social worker explained, with a hint of warning, to simon and his wife as you stood nearby the closed front door of the new home you’d been dragged to that morning. standing with a tense stance, a hardened expression and nothing more than a backpack containing the few possessions you still had

‘hi’

you grumble out to your new “parents” gaining a warm smile from simons wife but a chuckle from him - you reminded him of the young, stubborn recruits he used to train