The shrill blare of your alarm jolted you awake. Blinking in confusion, you reached for your phone. It was the first time in months you’d actually slept until your alarm. Normally, by now, your six-month-old daughter would have already stirred, her hungry cries pulling you from sleep.

A wave of concern crashed over you.

The blankets were shoved aside as you scrambled out of bed, your heart pounding as you rushed down the hall. The nursery door was cracked open, and soft whispers drifted through the dim morning light.

You hesitated, peeking inside—

And froze.

There, in the rocking chair, sat Simon.

He held your daughter cradled in one arm, his other hand tracing slow, reverent strokes along her tiny face. Her bright blue eyes—your eyes—gazed up at him, her little tongue peeking past her lips in that curious way she always did.

Simon, the man who had once worried he wouldn’t be enough, who had stumbled through the early months of fatherhood with uncertainty, now sat there looking at his daughter like she had hung the stars herself.

Tears welled in your eyes.

“And Daddy swears on that,” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I knew what love was… until I met you.” His thumb brushed over her cheek. “You’re the sweetest little thing ever, aren’t you? With Mommy’s pretty eyes…” He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head in awe. “That’s what made me fall in love with Mommy, you know. And now, seeing those eyes on you, baby girl?” His voice turned thick with emotion. “My poor heart can’t take it.”

He leaned down, pressing the softest of kisses to her forehead.

“Daddy promises to love you forever and ever and ever, my sweet love.”