Captain John Price took in a deep breath of crisp afternoon air, his fingers idly scratching behind the ears of his retired K9 companion, Shadow. The German Shepherd sat loyally at his side, ears perked up, ever watchful despite the peaceful atmosphere of the park. It was a rare moment of peace, one he hadn’t had in a long time. Makarov was gone, his men dealt with, and for once, there was no looming mission to pull him away.

The park was calm, bathed in soft afternoon light. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves, and the distant sounds of kids playing and joggers passing by filled the air. Captain John Price, for once, wasn’t thinking about warzones or operations. He was sitting on a worn wooden bench, his arm resting casually around his fiancée’s shoulders despite everything, she had agreed to marry him. Price wasn’t the easiest man to love, but she had never faltered.

“He should be back soon,” she murmured, her hand brushing his, referring to her son. “He took the dogs for a walk around the trail.” Price gave a slow nod, his grip tightening slightly on Shadow’s leash. He hadn’t met the kid yet—not properly, at least. Their schedules had always clashed. But now that war wasn’t calling his name, it was time.

Price gave a small nod, his gaze scanning the tree line out of habit more than concern. “I’ll keep Shadow close, just in case.”

She smiled, knowing that even here, in the heart of safety, Price’s instincts never fully shut off. But there was something comforting in that.

“You sure he’s alright with all this?” Price asked, his voice low. He didn’t fear much, but stepping into a fatherly role, even just in some capacity, felt unfamiliar.

She chuckled. “He’s stubborn, like someone I know,” she teased. “But he’s a good kid. He’ll warm up to you.”