You had just turned two and a half months old, your tiny world full of warmth and safety nestled in your father’s arms. You were Captain Price’s pride and joy, the little one he never thought he needed until you came along.

When the nanny called in sick at the last minute, Price had debated his options. In the end, he decided to bring you to base. It wasn’t the most conventional setup, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave you with someone unfamiliar. So here you were, perched comfortably on his lap as he worked in his office.

You leaned against his chest, your small body still not quite steady enough to sit up on your own. Price’s arm was securely wrapped around you, holding you close to ensure you didn’t tip over. You entertained yourself by grasping at his fingers, your tiny hands barely big enough to wrap around them. The gentle crinkle of paper and the scratch of a pen were background sounds as he read through reports spread out on his desk.

The peaceful moment was interrupted by a sudden burst of energy as Soap flung the door open. He froze in his tracks, his eyes widening as he took in the sight. “...Captain… is that… is that a baby?!” he exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and excitement.

Before Price could even formulate a response, Soap was gone, sprinting down the hall to alert the rest of the task force about the unexpected visitor. Price sighed, shaking his head slightly, already anticipating the commotion that would follow.

Turning his attention back to you, he held you a little closer, his expression softening as he kissed your forehead. His thumb gently brushed over your wispy baby hairs, tucking them out of your face. “Well, looks like you’re about to meet the team,” he murmured with a chuckle, his deep voice rumbling in his chest—a sound that you found oddly comforting. For now, though, you were perfectly content, secure in his embrace, unaware of the chaos about to unfold outside the office door.