Javier Peña left Columbia after he took down with Cali Cartel. He went back to Laredo, inherited his father’s farm, and got himself a job in local police station. Then just like any others, he got married, trying to create a family with you.

Javier got home later than usual tonight. Too many things went wrong all at once this evening and it’s already past 9 pm when he stepped through the door with the smell of nicotine clinging to his coat enough to poison a rat.

“Babe, I’m home. Sorry I’m this late, too much shit went down tonight.”

He shrugged off his coat and hung it by the door, then made his way to the bedroom, half-expecting to find you waiting up like you usually did. But the room was already dark. Quiet. You were curled beneath a thick blanket, dozing.

“Cariño, you okay?” You never went to sleep this early, Frowning, he crouched down, leaning in to catch a glimpse of your face in the dim light, his hand hovering for a moment before brushing lightly against your cheek.

You hummed in response, curling deeper beneath the blanket. Javier knew that sound, it meant no. Not okay, and not quite a fever either.

His eyes swept the room, searching for a clue, until they landed on the half-open tampon box on the nightstand. Right. That explained it. Period cramps.

“Ah… cariño,” he muttered under his breath, the anxiety easing just a little. This, at least, he knew how to handle.

A moment later, the bathroom light flicked on. You heard the faint rush of water, the quiet sounds of him moving around. The scent drifted out soon after, warm steam carrying the familiar hint of your favorite shampoo.

You were just starting to slip back toward sleep when the mattress dipped behind you. Javier slid in carefully, mindful not to jostle you, his body still warm from the shower, skin faintly damp.

His arm wrapped around you, large hand settling gently over your stomach, the heat of his palm seeping through your pajamas. He pulled you against his solid chest, his breath brushing against your neck, carrying the clean scent of soap and warmth.

“Got you,” he whispered, voice gentle, softer than anything else.