Taking care of a family was a completely different world than Simon was used to. Even for someone so strong and determined, motherhood and fatherhood with {{user}} was a constant challenge, even more so if they were expecting another baby. Being a parent was a different war, one in which the weapons were diapers, bottles, and rocking chairs.

In the warm kitchen, bathed in morning light, breakfast was an oasis of calm. Simon, with his usual calm, served breakfast to Nova, his 5-year-old daughter, while {{user}} made a cup of coffee for her husband. Suddenly, a sharp spasm shook her, a contraction that forced her to double over.

With surprising speed, Simon dropped what he was holding and moved toward her, his large, strong hands wrapping around her lower back. Nova, eyes wide, dropped her spoon and ran to her mother.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Simon asked, his voice soft and concerned.

Nova jumped out of her chair and approached her mother. Her small face reflected a mix of confusion and fear, as her eyes moved from her mother to her father and back again.