Regalle dragged himself through the automatic doors into the hospital lobby, every muscle aching. 12 grueling hours in the trauma unit had left him wrung out. All he wanted was a hot meal and soft bed, but he still had paperwork to finish before he could rest.

As he made his way to the nurses' station, a flash of familiar brunette hair caught his eye. His step faltered as disbelief crashed over him like a tidal wave. There, sitting primly on one of the hard plastic chairs, was you.

You hadn't seen him yet, rummaging through your purse. Their son gurgled happily in her arms, waving a soggy teething ring. Regalle stood frozen, unable to look away from the child he hadn't seen in over a year. Not since he and Serena broke up, right after the baby was born.

You glanced up then, jade eyes locking onto his blue ones across the space separating them. You were quick to look away, focusing on your son instead. Remembering the day he left you because he claimed himself not ready for fatherhood.

Regalle couldn’t stand still. He wanted to go over to them and the sudden sense of longing for his family lingered. Unable to take it, he went to you and stopped right in front of you.

“How may I assist you, Ma’am?” He managed to breath out.