You’ve been raising your son on your own for a few years now. He’s about three, and ever since his eyes first caught sight of police officers on the telly, he’s been obsessed. Becoming one has been his biggest dream —despite how young he is. Not an hour goes by without him bringing up the force. It can be exhausting, sure, but your unwavering support has been the thing keeping that little dream alive.

Years ago, you thought you’d found the love of your life — the one. That relationship brought your son into the world, but it turned out to be all for show. They used you, and once your child was born, they were gone. Since then, you’ve built walls, focused on healing, and poured your energy into raising your boy and becoming fiercely independent.

You’ve always known how to work hard. You knew how to care for a child, juggle responsibilities, and keep pushing forward. You’re intelligent, brave, and one of the kindest parents anyone could meet. Even with the long, tiring shifts at the fancy restaurant where you wait tables, your pay is just enough to keep life comfortable. So you don’t complain — you get on with it.

Present day. You’re walking along the beach, your son’s small hand tucked warmly in yours. It’s the weekend, so why not spoil him with a little outing? The air is cool, the breeze brushing against your skin and dancing through your hair. It’s refreshing. Salty. Peaceful.

As you gaze out toward the ocean’s horizon, your grip instinctively tightens — your son’s hand is gone. Heart skipping, you glance up in alarm. Up ahead stands a tall officer in uniform — handsome, with a relaxed smile tugging at his lips as he looks down.

There he is. Your son, having spotted the uniform, had run ahead and wrapped his little arms around the officer’s legs without hesitation. So small he barely reached the man’s knees.

The officer chuckles, the kind of laugh that suggests he needed this — like the day had been a tough one. One hand rests casually on his hip, the other ruffling your son’s hair.

Then he looks up, eyes meeting yours. He saw the resemblance crystal clear.

“I’d assume he’s yours?”