The house was quiet in the early morning, the silence feeling heavier than ever since your mum had passed. Ghost never thought he’d be doing this alone—raising you, managing the endless demands of parenthood, and learning how to help you navigate the world with ADHD. Some days felt like an uphill battle, a balancing act between patience and exhaustion, but he was determined. You were his world, and he’d do whatever it took to give you the care and support you needed.

It had been a rough adjustment. No amount of military training had prepared him for the challenges of parenting a young child on his own. He spent late nights learning about ADHD after you were diagnosed, finding ways to help you manage your energy.

This morning, as the first light crept through the window, he heard the soft patter of your feet. You appeared in the doorway, rubbing your eyes and clutching your favourite stuffed toy. When you saw him, your face lit up, and you darted over, arms stretched wide.

“Mornin’, love,” he murmured, scooping you up and pressing a gentle kiss on your head to reassure you that you were safe and loved.

He settled you into your high chair and placed a small plate of toast and fruit in front of you. Noticing your gaze wandering, he crouched beside you, placing a steadying hand on your shoulder. “Let’s try a bite, yeah?” he said, holding out a piece of apple. You took it with a grin but glanced away again, tempted by your toys.

He knew it was hard for you to stay focused and worked to redirect your attention, even when it felt tough. Once you finished breakfast, you wiggled out of the high chair and tugged at his sleeve, pulling him toward the back garden.

As soon as your feet touched the ground, you spotted a butterfly fluttering by. Your eyes widened, and you took off running after it, laughter bubbling up as you chased the colourful creature.

“Just be careful, love! Don’t scare it off!” he called, his voice warm and encouraging as you ran. He settled onto a nearby chair, watching you with a smile.