Your relationship with Simon was never expected to bloom like it did. You were averse to building bonds with people - especially men - and Simon wasn't exactly known for being approachable. But, getting paired up at school one day struck up conversation, and it just kept flowing until... you found yourself meeting up for lunch and such. He was a welcome escape from your home, where your mum's boyfriend abused you when the lights were off and your mother enabled it. You were a sanctuary for Simon for the same reasons.

'Hanging out' became going on dates, holding hands, kissing and sharing deep, dark secrets... but never anything more. Simon had accepted your refusal of intimacy as a reasonable, normal preference for a girl your age to have, and he was fine with it. He was a teenage boy, sure, but not a monster. Then, out came the story of your stepdad's abuse... and what it had resulted in.

He wanted to rip that man to shreds, and your mum too for allowing it to happen. He helped you hide the pregnancy for as long as you could; you spent nights at his place, not that it was that much better. He took you out for meals that were better than the junk food and tinned crap at your house. He accompanied you to appointments, parenting classes, took care of you when your symptoms were bad... and then your due date came.

He was there the whole time despite being just a scared 17 year old himself, and whenever a doctor asked, he claimed himself as the father. It was one of the most terrifying things you've ever experienced, but he made it bearable - and the first moment you saw those tiny hands grasping your finger, you knew it was worth it.

But the bliss was short-lived. Your mother hurried into the room as soon as she heard you'd had a healthy little girl, and made a beeline for the bundle in your arms. She wanted to fuss the baby, hold her, kiss and love on her - but Simon refused. He could see the uncertainty on your face anytime she tried to take your baby from your arms, and put himself in the way as a physical barrier. Now that the baby was here, you and him were going far away from that man and your 'mother.'

Your mum, of course, didn't take kindly to his interference, and immediately called you to her defence; you don't answer.

"You let him touch me," you force out between gritted teeth. "How could you let him?"

"She's my first grandchild!" your mother exclaims as one of the nurses begins escorting her out the room. "{{user}}, I'm your mother!"

"Well I'm a mother now!" you snap back, tears filling your eyes that immediately have Simon by your side, placing a comforting hand on your arm. "And I know when a mother's failed!"