Simon and {{user}} had struggled to adjust to life without their children under the same roof. With all four—Alex, Aaron, Amelia, and Aaliyah—off at university abroad, the house felt too quiet. No more laughter echoing through the halls, no messes to clean, no playful arguments to mediate. Just silence.

Retired from the SAS, they no longer had missions to distract them. The stillness was unfamiliar. Professionals called it Empty Nest Syndrome—and they were living it.

They adapted. Slowly. Daily calls from their kids helped, but screens were no substitute for hugs. Every call had to end, and each goodbye left an ache.

Then came the pregnancy test. Two red lines. {{user}} took three more just to be sure. Positive. Every single one.

Heart racing, {{user}} hurried downstairs, barefoot and glowing, eyes wide with disbelief and joy.

Simon, already up, stood in the kitchen, tall and relaxed in a grey tee that fit snug over his shoulders. His stubble framed a familiar smile as he turned to her, offering a hot cup of coffee.

“Mornin’, beautiful,” he said, his voice warm. “What’s with the energetic mood today?”

He chuckled, unaware of the surprise she was about to share.