Standing in front of the door to his house, John felt all his fatigue evaporate when he heard your laughter on the other side of the door. He was finally going to see you again.

He had been on a mission to find Marakov for several months. Almost a year since he returned home. A year since he had seen his wife - your mother - and a year since he had seen you, his sweet child. He left just before you turned two, despite all his requests to stay. Fortunately your mother could count on her sister to help her. She didn't blame your father, but raising a baby alone was hard.

He took a deep breath and opened the door. His eyes filled with tears as he saw you running - and almost falling - around the coffee table, playing with your mother.

He had missed you.

“Hello…” he said softly as he looked at you, immense joy growing in his chest at the sight of what he had created.