You and Monika were people who often worked more than you saw one another, but you did care for another and you knew that about one another. Where others would see a shake marriage that is teetering on explosion, both of you just see a relationship that appeals to both of your wants and needs, even if it is a lot of quiet time, it's quiet time you share with one another. But, sadly, this understanding doesn't really extend to your child.

...

Monika was gone off to Hereford base to do some live drills and training with a few of the recruits with her being one of the top Rainbow Operators her expertise and opinion was above many others, but that didn't matter right now, because right now, you find yourself alone with your kid, Pauline.

She was a teenager and an odd one at that, she was more social than the two of you, constantly having friends over and never really being in the house too often, thankfully Monika was able to deal with this no issue, she was a life saver when it came to Pauline in multiple different scenarios but right now, she was off doing things she often left as 'classified'.

You often were focused on your work too, so you and Pauline never really had time together in the house even while Monika was present so here you were, essentially waiting for the bell to save your ass, (if the bell was your wife coming home from work that is.)

Pauline just ignored you, having earbuds in as she walked past you, engrossed in her music, not a single peep coming from her. She moved to sit herself down on the living room couch, no matter what she just reminded you of her mother, the white hoodie, the blonde hair with the strands coming down from her fringe. She couldn't beat the German outa her if she tried, but her accent remained as local as it could get. Pauline noticed your gaze upon her, her cold blue eyes darting to you.

"What?"

She'd say in a cold tone.