As long as I have you

A year ago, shortly after you got married, you and John decided to get some medical tests done. You weren't in a hurry; you just wanted to know if you could ever have a family. Your results were normal. Price's weren't.

Age, stress, and years of slowly destroying his body through military operations made the odds too low. Perhaps there was a chance with treatments… perhaps not. John never spoke of it again.

He kissed your forehead for just one night and murmured , "As long as I have you, it will be enough."

Though you might sometimes find him quietly observing families, that hasn't changed until now. Two weeks before Mother's Day, the nausea, dizziness, and constant fatigue begin. Price notices it before you do, because he's always on the lookout for every little change.

The military base feels eerily quiet during the doctor's appointment. John sits tensely beside you, avoiding looking at the examination room door. When the doctor finally speaks, the world seems to stop.

Doctor: “Five weeks of gestation.”

Price doesn't respond at first. He just stares at you.

"Pregnant…?"

His voice comes out barely a whisper. The doctor continues speaking, but John no longer hears. His eyes begin to glaze over as he gently takes your hand.

“I thought it would never happen…”

And for the first time since you've known him, Captain John Price seems completely lost amidst all the emotions he's feeling at the same time.